SEC Basketball: Top 15 players entering 2020-21 season

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 21: Keyontae Johnson #11, Tre Mann #1, and Scottie Lewis #23 of the Florida Gators look on against the Utah State Aggies during the second half of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at BB&T Center on December 21, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images /

15. C Romello White, Ole Miss

Romello White arrives at Ole Miss as a senior graduate transfer from Arizona State, where he established himself as an elite defender, offensive rebounder, and finisher at the rim. He neared double-double average territory last season in Tempe, averaging 10.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. In Oxford, White should quickly establish himself as one of the SEC’s most dominant interior presences.

14. F John Fulkerson, Tennessee

John Fulkerson lacks pizzazz, but during his first season as a starter in 2019-20, the forward demonstrated how he can contribute to every facet of the game. Fulkerson averaged 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, finishing in the top ten in the SEC in both offensive and defensive win shares. At 23 years old, he’ll bring veteran leadership to a Vols team with high expectations.

13. G Jaden Shackelford, Alabama

All eyes are on Jaden Shackelford to break out after the departure of Kira Lewis Jr., but it’s difficult to break out when you’re already a star. Shackelford averaged 15.0 points per game as a freshman, finishing third in the conference with a 35.7 percent success rate from three. If his scoring increases further in 2020-21, he’ll garner a place on the All-SEC First Team by the end of the year.

12. G John Petty Jr., Alabama

This season, John Petty Jr. will have plenty of competition in his own backcourt, from Shackelford to Villanova transfer Jahvon Quinerly. But Petty should still be the alpha of the guard trio. He averaged 14.5 points per game last season and hit an SEC-leading 44.0 percent of his threes. He needs to cut down on his 75 turnovers, but he should be one of the conference’s best scorers again.

11. G Scottie Lewis, Florida

Scottie Lewis wasn’t bad as a freshman – he was just underwhelming when considering the hype that accompanied his commitment to the Gators. He still made the conference’s All-Freshman Team and demonstrated a willingness to work hard defensively, sporting a 3.9 defensive box plus/minus, good for second in the conference. This year, he should increase his scoring into the double-digit average and his reputation will follow.

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