The National Player of the Year debate doesn’t feel like much this 2022-23 NCAA Basketball season, since there seems to be a clear top tier. But there are some players whose play has started to warrant some consideration.
After a number of major performances in the past week, the stats for the top players in the country are now as gaudy as ever. Here’s a look at which players are firmly in the running for National Player of the Year.
*Stats are through Jan 23rd
Honorable Mention: Antoine Davis – Detroit Mercy Titans
2022-23 stats: 26.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.4 apg
With Jordan Walker of UAB seeing his scoring slip, Davis, now the all-time Horizon League leader in points scored, is No. 1 in NCAA Basketball in scoring. He’s scored 27+ points in each of the past five games, including a season-high 41 points in 33 minutes in a win over Robert Morris, which also included 11/18 from three-point range.
HM: Kris Murray – Iowa Hawkeyes
2022-23 stats: 21.3 ppg and 8.9 rpg
Between missing a few games and Iowa not being in the national picture at the moment, Murray’s stock has slid a bit. But when he’s on the court, he’s been just as good as his brother, Keegan. He’s up to 23.7 ppg in Big Ten play, including a recent 27-point performance in an overtime win over Michigan.
HM: Hunter Tyson – Clemson Tigers
2022-23 stats: 15.7 ppg and 10.1 rpg
The Tigers are in first place in the ACC and are in the NCAA Tournament thanks to a breakout season from the 5th-year senior. Tyson has 10 double-doubles on the year, including the most recent 19-point, 14-rebound performance at Wake Forest. He’s been one of the most improved players in the country and warrants a little bit of national acknowledgment.
HM: Souley Boum – Xavier Musketeers
2022-23 stats: 16.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 5.1 apg
As much credit as Coach Sean Miller gets for turning Xavier into a top-10 team, so should the former UTEP guard that leads the team in scoring and passing. Boum had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a win over Villanova and 26 points and eight assists in a win over Creighton. With UConn and Adama Sanogo (who was in the previous NPOY rankings) falling down, it could be the senior guard that takes advantage.