NCAA Basketball: Ranking of top 100 returning players for 2023-24 season
Honorable Mentions
Chris Ledlum – St. John’s Red Storm
Ledlum was the star at Harvard last season, averaging 18.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg. The former top-100 prospect now is at home in New York, playing for Coach Rick Pitino and St. John’s. Look for him to be the starting power forward, forming one of the top frontcourts in the Big East next season.
KJ Adams – Kansas Jayhawks
Although his stats (10.6 ppg and 4.3 rpg) don’t make Adams seem like a top-100 talent last season’s Big 12 Most Improved Player of the Year winner proved his value in a bunch of different ways. The 6’7 forward shot over 62% from the field and is one of the most versatile defenders in NCAA Basketball. Even with Hunter Dickinson joining the team, look for Adams to still have a nice role overall.
Zyon Pullin – Florida Gators
Pull is a 6’4 point guard that was a 2-time All-Big West performer at UC Riverside, coming off averaging a team-leading 18.3 ppg and 4.2 apg. He shot 49% from the field and 39% from three-point range and on a team that lost all of its ball-handlers this offseason, look for Florida to rely on Pull to run the offense this season.
Emanuel Miller – TCU Horned Frogs
The 6’7 veteran forward shot 51% from the field and nearly 40% from deep (in limited attempts) in his second year with the Frogs. Miller went for 20 points and 10 rebounds against Central Arkansas, as well as 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists versus Kansas State. After losing big man Eddie Lampkin and other key pieces, look for the 5th-year forward to have an even larger role on both ends.
Jaykwon Walton – Memphis Tigers
Walton was on a Wichita State squad that wasn’t very good last season, and not only led them in scoring (13.9 ppg) but did so on highly efficient numbers as a primary perimeter, shooting 54% from the field and 40% from deep. On a team filled with talented scorers, Walton may end up being the best of them this season.
Tramon Mark – Arkansas Razorbacks
The 6’5 guard has flown under the radar at Houston behind Jamal Shead and Marcus Sasser. But Mark has been a double-digit scorer and quality defender for the past couple of years, including a 26-point and 9-rebound effort in an NCAA Tournament win over Auburn. On an Arkansas roster whose backcourt has completely been rebuilt, it’s a chance for Mark to be a focal point.
Xavier Johnson – Indiana Hoosiers
The 6th-year point guard was limited to just 11 games last season, averaging 9.9 ppg and 4.9 apg. Without Jalen Hood-Schifino around, look for Johnson to be the focal point of the offense on the perimeter, while also being one of the lone shooting threats on the roster.
Jaylon Tyson – Cal Bears
Assuming the former Texas Tech forward gets the waiver, look for Tyson to be a breakout candidate at Cal. He quietly averaged 10.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg while shooting 40% from three-point range. In a better spread-out offense, he could thrive on a new-look roster.
Sean Pedulla – Virginia Tech Hokies
The 6’1 point guard averaged nearly 10 ppg more as a sophomore, shooting 34% from deep. Pedulla had 31 double-digit scoring games last season, including six with at least 20 points. His consistent offensive production should continue, as the Hokies lost its two leading frontcourt players (Justyn Mutts and Grant Basile) and be a key lead option on offense.
KJ Simpson – Colorado Buffaloes
The starting point guard for Colorado averaged 15.9 ppg and 3.8 apg for the Buffaloes, earning all-conference honors. Simpson went for 23 points and 10 rebounds against Tennessee early in the year and if he can get the efficiency up, can become one of the top guards in the country.
Elijah Pepper – UC Davis Aggies
The 6’4 guard was one of the highest-scoring players in all of NCAA Basketball last season, averaging 22.5 ppg and 3.4 apg for the Aggies. The 3-time All-Big West star had four different 32-point efforts last season, including on the road late in the season at UC-Irvine. Look for Pepper to be the preseason favorite for Big West Player of the Year.