NCAA Basketball: Top 100 returning players for 2022-23 season
70. Javonte Perkins – Saint Louis Billikens
2020-21 stats: 17.1 ppg and 3.9 rpg
He missed all of last season with an injury but has returned after two previous years of being an All-Atlantic 10 scorer. Perkins had a 32-point effort versus LSU and six other 20+ point games in 2021 and assuming he’s fully healthy, should return as one of the top scorers in the A-10.
69. Graham Ike – Wyoming Cowboys
2021-22 stats: 19.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg
The 6’9 big man was a breakout star in the Mountain West, scoring at least eight points in every game last season. That includes 25 points and 18 rebounds at San Jose State, as well as a career-high 35 points and 14 rebounds versus Denver. Ike is one of the better offensive frontcourt players in NCAA Basketball and can get even better this year.
68. Ryan Nembhard – Creighton Bluejays
2021-22 stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 4.4 apg
The younger brother of former Gonzaga starter Andrew Nembhard proved that he too can be a quality ball-handler, playing at a high level as a freshman last season. The Big East Rookie of the Year had 15 points and 10 assists in his debut versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Bluejay point guard also can score, with eight games of at least 15 points. Look for a breakout campaign from Nembhard that puts up in the category of top playmakers in the country.
67. Marcus Carr – Texas Longhorns
2021-22 stats: 11.4 ppg and 3.4 apg
Despite his scoring numbers not being anywhere near where they were at Minnesota, Carr still was an All-Big 12 performer and proved that he can be a good defender. The 5th-year senior still is capable of being a scorer, including going for 18 points six times, including 25 points versus Kansas State. He’ll be part of a crowded backcourt again but Carr still will have a leading role.
66. Chuck Harris – Butler Bulldogs
2021-22 stats: 11.4 ppg and 1.6 apg
One of the more underrated players in NCAA Basketball, Harris had four games of at least 20 points, including 29 against Xavier in the Big East Tournament. The rising junior guard will be on a much-improved Butler roster and if his three-point shooting takes a leap, can easily become one of the top scorers in the league.
65. Drew Peterson – USC Trojans
2021-22 stats: 12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg and and 3.3 apg
The 6’8 wing can do a little bit of everything for USC. He’s a good defender, quality rebounder, capable facilitator, and can go for 20+ points (4 times last season), all while making over 40% of his three-point attempts. Peterson has been a nice complementary player to the Mobley brothers in the past couple of years but enters this season as the Trojans’ clear best player. Look for him to have an ever larger role in the offense.
64. Tramon Mark – Houston Cougars
2021-22 stats: 10.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.4 apg
The Cougars’ 6th Man from last season was on track to put up some big numbers, including a three-game stretch where he averaged over 17 ppg. Yet Mark was just limited to seven games due to a season-ending injury but is back and part of the elite Houston backcourt. Whether as a starter or off the bench, look for the 6’5 guard to be a major contributor this season.
63. Yuri Collins – Saint Louis Billikens
2021-22 stats: 11.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 7.9 apg
Collins stepped up in a big way after Perkins was injured, becoming a double-digit scorer while leading all of NCAA Basketball in assists last season. That includes a program-record 19 against Boston College, along with seven other games with at least 10 assists. Collins also is an all-league defender and underrated shooter as well.
62. KJ Williams – LSU Tigers
2021-22 stats (at Murray State): 18.0 ppg and 8.4 rpg
The 5th-year transfer was the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, leading the Racers to the NCAA Tournament. The 6’10 center had a bunch of big performances, including 39 points in a win over Tennessee State. Williams is a quality versatile offensive player and will be the focal point of the rebuilt LSU offense.
61. Kevin Obanor – Texas Tech Red Raiders
2021-22 stats: 10.0 ppg and 5.5 rpg
After averaging nearly 20 and 10 at Oral Roberts in the year prior, Obanor’s numbers expectedly took a dip at the slower-paced Red Raiders system. But not only did he prove that he can be a good defender at the Big 12 level but the veteran forward had a strong end to last season, scoring in double figures in eight straight. With Bryson Williams gone and Aimaq hurt, look for Obanor to have a sizeable role in the offense.