NCAA Basketball: Top 100 returning players for 2022-23 season
90. Matthew Mayer – Illinois Fighting Illini
2021-22 stats (at Baylor): 9.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg
One of a few players on this list with a national championship on their resume, Mayer spent four years at Baylor, with last year being his lone as a starter. The numbers didn’t pop out as expected but Mayer, who shot 41% from deep the year prior, is still a quality stretch forward that can defend and will have a much larger role at Illinois this season.
89. Charles Bediako – Alabama Crimson Tide
2021-22 stats: 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.5 bpg
The former started 30 games and was an All-SEC Freshman but definitely was raw overall. Bediako has plenty of two-way potential, including several games of 5+ blocks, as well as seven double-digit games. Look for him to have a big sophomore breakout campaign and anchors the Alabama defense inside.
88. Kobe Brown – Missouri Tigers
2021-22 stats: 12.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 2.5 apg
One of the more quiet All-SEC players that gets no attention, Brown was a brightspot on Missouri’s roster, including some huge performances. The 6’7 forward had 30 points and 13 rebounds in an upset win over Alabama, as well as 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists versus Texas A&M. Brown will be a key piece on the rebuilt Tigers roster but the team can rely on him in the frontcourt.
87. John Hugley – Pittsburgh Panthers
2021-22 stats: 14.8 ppg and 7.9 rpg
The 6’8 center had a breakout sophomore campaign for Pitt last season, despite having little shooting and backcourt support to work with. Hugley had 32 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Boston College and 18 boards versus Syracuse. He’s difficult to defend down low without a double team and should be in position to be an All-ACC forward this year.
86. Jalen Cook – Tulane Green Wave
2021-22 stats: 18.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3.5 apg
The LSU transfer was a major breakout contributor for Tulane, leading them in scoring last season. It started with a career-high 28 points in the season-opener versus Southeastern Louisiana, along with seven more games of 20+ points. And shooting just under 40% from three-point range doesn’t hurt. In an AAC that’s filled with quality guards, Cook deserves to be mentioned with them at the top.
85. Xavier Johnson – Indiana Hoosiers
2021-22 stats: 12.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 5.1 apg
One of the more erratic guards in NCAA Basketball, Johnson has shown to have a high floor and low ceiling in four years at Pittsburgh and Indiana. But he did shoot a career-high 38% from deep last season, including around 46% in the Hoosiers’ win streak to make the NCAA Tournament. When he’s playing well, Johnson is one of the top ball-handlers in the country. It just depends on which version shows up.
84. Josh Oduro – George Mason Patriots
2021-22 stats: 17.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 1.7 apg
One of the best offensive players in the country, Oduro had 11 games of at least 20 points, as well as four of at least 30. That includes a career-high 33 versus Saint Joeseph’s. If the power forward can continue developing a three-point shot, then Oduro could very well have the numbers to be A-10 Player of the Year.
83. Reece Beekman – Virginia Cavaliers
2021-22 stats: 8.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 5.2 apg
While Kihei Clark is the guard with the national title and more name recognition, Beekman has emerged as the better player. He’s the top passer on the team and an annual contender for ACC Defensive Player of the Year. If he takes another leap in the offensive development, he’ll make a name for himself as well.
82. Hunter Maldonado – Wyoming Cowboys
2021-22 stats: 18.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 6.3 apg
The 6’7 “point guard” plays some of the most minutes in NCAA Basketball and has the all-around stats to show for it. It includes his first triple-double against San Diego State of all teams, along with 35 points in an overtime victory over Colorado State. Maldonado is capable of double-digit assists and/or rebounds in any game and played a large role in the Cowboys making it back to the NCAA Tournament.
81. Jamarion Sharp – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
2021-22 stats: 8.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 4.6 bpg
A former JUCO star (John Logan College) came into D-I hoops and had a tremendous impact. The 7’5 center became the easy pick for Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year last season, ranking 3rd nationally in blocks. That includes 10 in a triple-double effort versus Alabama A&M and 17 points and 14 rebounds in a game against Eastern Kentucky. If his offense continues to get better, Sharp will have a good chance at being at being CUSA Player of the Year.