NCAA Basketball: Top 10 rankings for 2022-23 National Player of the Year

Nov 15, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) reacts to making a shot during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Jayhawks defeat the Blue Devils 69 to 64. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

5 of 11

NCAA Basketball Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Azuolas Tubelis – Arizona Wildcats

2022-23 stats: 20.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.1 apg

Tubelis was quietly an All-Pac 12 forward last season but was in the shadow of Benedict Mathurin, who ended up being Conference Player of the Year and an All-American to lead Arizona. With him out of the way, it’s been the junior forward that has become the go-to option through 16 games.

Tubelis has shown up for the 14-2 (3-2) Wildcats, leading them in scoring overall. He’s scored at least 12 points in every game, with nine of them being at least 20. That includes a 30-point and 11-rebound effort against Cincinnati in the Maui Invitational, and 21 points and seven rebounds in a win over Trayce Jackson-Davis and Indiana.

NCAA Basketball has many quality centers but not power forwards and quite frankly, Tubelis could easily play the five-spot for Arizona. But his ability to play next to bigs like Ballo and Kokoko last year while not being a negative for the top-5 offense is a testament to his offensive skills.

Speaking of Ballo, his own play is what’s hurting Tubelis the most right now. An argument can be made to have the center ahead of the power forward on this kind of list and the splitting of votes is what could hurt him down the line. It’s a great problem to have for the Wildcats in that they have the best frontcourt in the country but individually, it’ll have an impact on this award.

Home/NCAA Basketball News