2. Oscar Tshiebwe – Kentucky Wildcats
2022-23 season stats: 16.5 ppg and 13.7 rpg
We’re down to the past two NCAA Basketball National Players of the Year. It was thought that there was no chance that Tshiebwe would come back for a 5th year but there really does seem to be a good shot. The All-American has led the nation in rebounding for the past two years and has led Kentucky in scoring as well. He’s had multiple 20-20 games and is one of the more unstoppable forces in NCAA Basketball down low.
The Wildcats were in the mix for Hunter Dickinson this offseason but lost out. And while they still have five-star freshman big man Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyesno, neither are proven players like Tshiebwe. And since the team can’t bring anyone in, they really need to bring guys like Tshiebwe and Reeves back for next season.
1. Zach Edey – Purdue Boilermakers
2022-23 season stats: 22.3 ppg and 12.9 rpg
Edey was the no-doubt National Player of the Year last season, leading Purdue, who was unranked to start last season, to the No. 1 ranking for many weeks and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. The 7’4 center went for 30+ points several times, including back-to-back in the Big Ten Tournament.
Purdue could effectively bring everyone of importance back for next season. If Edey comes back too, they could very well be the AP preseason No. 1 team for the 2023-24 campaign. But if he doesn’t, the Boilermakers could very well go back to being unranked. That’s why he’s the most important decision to watch for.