NCAA Basketball: Ranking of top 100 returning players for 2023-24 season
90. Julian Reese – Maryland Terrapins
2022-23 season stats: 11.4 ppg and 7.2 rpg
The 6’9 big man had a breakout sophomore campaign last season, scoring 10+ points in 13 of the last 14 games. That includes a 16-point and 16-rebound performance against Nebraska, along with 21 points and 11 rebounds versus Minnesota. Reese, along with senior forward Donta Scott will be one of the top frontcourts in the Big Ten this season.
89. Olivier Nkamhoua – Michigan Wolverines
2022-23 season stats: 10.8 ppg and 5.0 rpg
The 6’8 forward is one of the better two-way forwards in NCAA Basketball, showing signs of being a quality scorer at times. He went for 27 points against both Texas and Duke last season, with the ladder coming in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Without Hunter Dickinson and other scorers around, Nkamhoua could find himself as the No. 1 or 2 scoring option with the Wolverines.
88. Casey Morsell – NC State Wolfpack
2022-23 season stats: 11.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg
Jarkel Joiner and Terquavion Smith got all the attention at NC State last season, leaving the underrated Morsell being looked over. He actually led the team with 41% three-point shooting and went for 26 points against FIU, along with 18 versus Virginia. We’ll see how he does as the top scoring option on the Wolfpack backcourt but he even with all the newcomers, Morsell should be the guy this season.
87. Anton Watson – Gonzaga Bulldogs
2022-23 season stats: 11.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg
One of the true best “glue guys” in all of NCAA Basketball, Watson is a 6’8 versatile forward known for being a quality frontcourt defender, along with having more of a role in the offense. The senior forward went for 20 points and seven rebounds against San Francisco and went for 17 against Alabama. With Drew Timme gone and Graham Ike not 100%, this is a chance for Watson to showcase his offensive skills even more.
86. Adem Bona – UCLA Bruins
2022-23 season stats: 7.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg
The former five-star prospect won Pac-12 Rookie of the Year and was on the all-defensive unit as a freshman. The 6’10 big man shot 68% from the field and had a couple of big scoring games, including 18 points against Washington. He’s the lone returning starter on a Bruins team that added a bunch of newcomers so look for him to be a breakout candidate to watch.
85. Darrion Trammell – San Diego State Aztecs
2022-23 season stats: 9.8 ppg and 2.9 apg
After putting up a ton of stats at Seattle previously, Trammell put up a ton of wins at San Diego State, leading them to the national title game. The 5’10 guard went for 21 points on four different occasions, including against Alabama in the massive Sweet 16 upset. With Matt Bradley gone, look for the senior guard to fully run the offense for the Aztecs.
84. Braden Smith – Purdue Boilermakers
2022-23 season stats: 9.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, and 4.4 apg
Smith was a surprising good freshman for the Boilermakers, taking on the lead guard role and being part of the No. 1-seed squad. The 6’0 point guard went for 20 points against Marquette and had 24 points and five assists versus Iowa. Assuming he improves his play as a sophomore, look for Smith to be one of the top ball-handlers in the Big Ten.
83. Drew Pember – UNC Asheville Bulldogs
2022-23 season stats: 21.0 ppg and 9.2 rpg
After not producing much at Tennessee in the first couple of years, Pember went down to Asheville and became the Big South Player of the Year, along with being the two-time league DPOY. The 6’9 forward had a number of big outings, including 40 points in the season-opener against UCF, along with a career-high 48 points and 12 rebounds versus Presbyterian. Look for Pember to be the heavy favorite to repeat for the top award in the Big South and lead the Bulldogs to another NCAA Tournament appearance.
82. Tre Mitchell – Kentucky Wildcats
2022-23 season stats: 11.7 ppg and 5.5 rpg
Mitchell was fairly good in his lone year at West Virginia last season, second on the team in scoring. The 6’9 frontcourt player went for 14 points and 15 rebounds against Baylor, along with a season-high 22 points versus Oklahoma State. He was the lone veteran transfer for the Wildcats and gives them needed experience and a floor-spacing option at the four-spot.
81. Tristen Newton – UConn Huskies
2022-23 season stats: 10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 4.7 apg
As expected, Newton didn’t have the same gaudy stats that he did prior at East Carolina but he still managed to produce a couple of triple-doubles during the regular season, along with scoring 19 points in the national championship win over San Diego State. With Jordan Hawkins and Andrew Jackson both gone, look for him to have the ball in his hands even more this season.