NCAA Basketball: Top 100 returning players for 2022-23 season
45. Timmy Allen – Texas Longhorns
2021-22 stats: 12.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2.1 apg
Allen was a quality scorer at Utah and remained that way at Texas, leading them in scoring last season. He had 18 points versus Gonzaga and 26 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Texas. The combo forward is one of the best mid-range scorers in the country and on a team that was anything but consistent in terms of offensive production, Allen was the closest thing to that concept.
44. Matthew Cleveland – Florida State Seminoles
2021-22 stats: 11.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 1.2 apg
The former five-star prospect had a solid freshman season and was the ACC 6th Man of the Year. Cleveland had nine straight games of double-digit scoring to end the year, including 20 points at Virginia. The 6’7 wing is a great athlete and defender and if he can stretch his shooting to beyond the three-point line, can become a national breakout contender and someone that can be first-team All-ACC.
43. Caleb Daniels – Villanova Wildcats
2021-22 stats: 10.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg
The 6th-year senior has willingly taken a backseat with the Wildcats, even coming off the bench last season. Daniels still can be a potent scorer, including 20 points against Providence and 19 versus St. John’s in the Big East Tournament. He’s a capable scorer at all three levels and with Justin Moore and Cam Whitmore out to start the season, Vilanova will need Daniels to be the leading scorer to keep them competitive against the top teams.
42. Justyn Mutts – Virginia Tech Hokies
2021-22 stats: 10.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 3.4 apg
The former Delaware and High Point transfer has been highly effective with the Hokies, doing a little of everything. He led Tech in both rebounding and assists, while also recording a triple-double against Syracuse. Mutts is also a great defender both inside and out and with star forward Keve Aluma gone, now becomes the focal point of the offense.
41. Sahvir Wheeler – Kentucky Wildcats
2021-22 stats: 10.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 6.9 apg
One of the top passers in all of NCAA Basketball, ranking 1st in the SEC and third nationally. That includes five double-digit assist games, including 12 points and 14 assists versus North Florida. The 5’10 playmaker is also an underrated scorer, with 26 points versus North Carolina. Wheeler has proven to be a high-volume passer and is a good defender and will have plenty of chances to rack up more assists at Kentucky.