AAC Basketball: Top 10 returning players for 2019-20 season
7. Christian Vital
At number seven it’s the talented senior from UConn, Christian Vital. People weren’t really sure if they’d see the Huskies guard return from this season but Vital announced early in April that he’d be back. A big win for Hurley and UConn. Vital is a scorer and for UConn to have a successful year they’re going to need him to make baskets. With Jalen Adams leaving more of those late-game shots will fall for Vital and Hurley needs him to step up. Along with some other key returning pieces, UConn is a team that could see their drought of tournament absences ended this year.
6. Dejon Jarreau
Two Houston Cougars in three spots for these rankings, Dejon Jarreau is legit. The AAC 6th Man of the Year last season will be a breakout contender and another big piece of that very talented, and a deep backcourt that I mentioned earlier. Jarreau was obviously poised to see more minutes with both starting guards leaving at the end of last year but this kid has been lighting it up on the Houston summer tour in Italy. Jarreau has watched two great guards, and it’s his turn to shine. Cougars fans should be excited about this kids talent, the fact that he could be in Houston for two more years should have them even more excited.
https://twitter.com/UHCougarMBK/status/1161321884660699136
5. David Collins
Collins is a guy who took a big step up after his freshman year at South Florida and if he can take his game up another notch, he’ll be one of the best guards in the conference, in fact, he already is one of the best guards. A prolific scorer last season, Collins has a great ability to get himself to the rim and finish and is another great defender. If Collins can figure out his jump shot this summer and can find his stroke there’s no doubt he’ll finish as one of the highest scorers in the conference at the end of the year. A quick spoiler alert, he’s not the last USF player you’ll find on this list. Let’s continue…
4. Jayden Gardner
https://twitter.com/Jayy_Baller_1/status/1127001234169303040
While Jayden Gardner didn’t win Freshman of the Year last year from the American Athletic Conference, some people certainly thought he should be. What a freshman campaign this kid got off to last year, and if it weren’t for the fact he played for a dreadful ECU team, he very well might have been the AAC Freshman of the Year. If he takes a step up from last year then he’ll be one of the best players in the country, yes, country. He’s an exciting player and makes ECU games bearable to watch. He doesn’t have the prettiest of jump shots but his ability to finish near the basket makes him a true weapon. Hopefully, ECU has a little bit better of a season so this kid can get the recognition that he deserves.