NCAA Basketball: Most important player on each top-25 team for 2022-23 season

8. UCLA Bruins – Jaylen Clark

The junior forward was named an All-Pac 12 defender last season, despite playing 19 mpg off the bench. Clark may be known for defense but when given more time on the court, proved that he can be an offensive threat, including three straight games of 16+ points when he was a starter.

With Johnny Juzang and Peyton Watson gone, that opens up the wings for both Clark and returning forward Jaime Jaquez. The Bruins have five-star guard Amari Bailey coming in and have Tyger Campbell running the offense but the team’s strength has been on the wings. If Clark can be anywhere near Juzang offensively while being a big upgrade defensively, the Bruins have a chance to be very good yet again.

7. Arkansas Razorbacks – Davonte Davis

Rightfully so, all of the talk this offseason has been about the No. 2 incoming recruiting class, featuring three five-star guards. Nick Smith will run the offense, while Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh will also have big roles. But where does that put the one returning guard on the roster in Davis? He’s had his ups and downs at Arkansas but still averaged 8.4 ppg in two seasons.

The junior guard is a talented scorer and combo guard but sometimes struggles to find his role in the backcourt. With so many freshmen, the Razorbacks will need the veteran guard to climb them out of some future holes. If Davis can have a big year, that only adds to the firepower of the roster.