NCAA Basketball: Best player from each of the 50 states for 2022-23

Massachusetts – Makai Ashton-Langford (Boston College)

Ashton-Langford struggled at Providence early in his career but has developed into an important piece at Boston College in recent years. A former Top 40 recruit, he’s entering his third season on court for the Eagles, having averaged 12.0 points a game last year. He’s one of the returning starters for a Boston College team hoping to find some momentum this year, and he should be the best of the bunch, even with inconsistent shooting numbers, especially from long-range.

Michigan – Hunter Dickinson (Michigan)

One of college basketball’s best big men, Dickinson is a former All-American now entering this third year with the Wolverines. Last season, he averaged 18.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game, spearheading Michigan’s run to the Sweet Sixteen. This year, Dickinson will be even more vital for the Wolverines, as the program lost Houstan, Jones, and Brooks and will need Dickinson to help fill the holes of those absences. Expect him to succeed.

Minnesota – Jamison Battle (Minnesota)

Minnesota’s only returning starter from last year, Battle will be expected to contribute at a high level once again for the Golden Gophers. He averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds a game in his debut at Minnesota, having spent his first two seasons at George Washington. While Battle will get additional opportunities in a rotation full of new pieces, his role in the frontcourt and in coach Johnson’s system will be very important to Minnesota’s success.

Mississippi – Tolu Smith (Mississippi State)

Last year’s top scorer and rebounder, Smith averaged 14.2 points and 6.5 for the Bulldogs last season and should be their best weapon this year. Chris Jans takes over as head coach and will hope that Smith can have an efficient, successful, and healthy season, having missed a dozen games last year. Smith is a very talented rebounder and piece on the interior offense, we’ll just see how he gels in this new system.

Missouri – Isiaih Mosley (Missouri)

Mosley may well have been the nominee even had he not transferred, as he’s been a star at Missouri State in recent years. He averaged 20.4 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Bears and should be a major weapon for the Tigers this season. The transition from MVC to SEC may be significant, but Mosley has shown to be an explosive scorer and playmaker who can take over games; and if he can do half of that with the Tigers then the fans are going to love him this year.