NCAA Basketball: Ranking of top 100 returning players for 2023-24 season
70. James Bishop – George Washington Revolutionaries
2022-23 season stats: 21.6 ppg and 5.2 apg
Bishop has been a top-tier scorer in the A-10 for the past few years, including posting career-high numbers this past season. The 6’2 senior was in double figures in all but one game, including 40 points and seven assists versus Loyola Chicago, as well as 44 points on the road at Hofstra. GW will need another big year from Bishop in order to stay competitive in the league.
69. Jordan Dingle – St. John’s Red Storm
2022-23 season stats: 23.4 ppg and 2.3 apg
In a four-year span, Dingle won both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year at Penn, ranking second in all of NCAA Basketball in scoring. The 6’3 scoring guard shot 46% from the field and 36% from three-point range in high volume, while having at three games with 30+ points, including 37 versus La Salle. He joins other transfers on a new-built St. John’s roster and very well could lead them in scoring this year.
68. Jesse Edwards – West Virginia Mountaineers
2022-23 season stats: 14.5 ppg and 10.3 rpg
Not only was Edwards one of the top double-double producers in NCAA Basketball last season but he also was an elite defender, blocking nearly three shots a game and earning All-ACC defensive honors. The center pulled down 21 rebounds in a game against Bryant and also had 27 points and 20 rebounds against Wake Forest. Now at West Virginia, look for Edwards to have a similar large role as the most proven effective newcomer on the roster.
67. Trevon Brazile – Arkansas Razorbacks
2022-23 season stats: 11.8 ppg and 6.0 rpg
An injury limited the 6’9 forward to just nine games last season but Brazile, who was viewed as a top-tier impact transfer a year ago, looked very impressive. He had 21 points and 11 rebounds in the season-opener against North Dakota State, along with 20 points and nine rebounds versus San Diego State off the bench. Look for him to have a nice season as the focal point of the frontcourt this time around.
66. Grant Nelson – Alabama Crimson Tide
2022-23 season stats: 17.9 ppg and 9.3 rpg
The 6’10 forward was one of the most skilled forwards in mid-major ranks last season at North Dakota State, earning both 1st-Team and All-Summit League defensive honors. Nelson went for 35 points and 16 rebounds against Western Illinois and 20 points and 22 rebounds versus South Dakota State. He’s now the top frontcourt option for the Tide, replacing Noah Clowney and Charles Bediako.
65. Coleman Hawkins – Illinois Fighting Illini
2022-23 season stats: 9.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, and 3.0 apg
The 6’10 forward is one of the most skilled frontcourt players in all of NCAA Basketball, including leading the team in assists. Hawkins had 23 points and 10 assists against Eastern Illinois, along with a 15-point, 10-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double versus Syracuse. Without Matthew Mayer around in the frontcourt, Hawkins could become more of a scorer than facilitator for Illinois.
64. Kevin McCullar – Kansas Jayhawks
2022-23 season stats: 10.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.4 apg
The 6’6 wing had his best year at Kansas after three seasons with Texas Tech, with career-high scoring and rebounding numbers. McCullar had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists against Baylor, along with 21 points and five steals versus Missouri. The All-Big 12 performer is back for a 5th year and without Gradey Dick around, should get more offensive opportunities on offense.
63. Steven Ashworth – Creighton Bluejays
2022-23 season stats: 16.2 ppg and 4.5 apg
The star guard for Utah State actually started off the bench but after three games of 27+ points, Ashworth became the started that led the team to the NCAA Tournament. The 6’1 guard shot 43% from three-point range and had an 8/17 game from deep (26 points) in a win over Colorado State. Ashworth replaces Ryan Nembhard as the starting point guard for Creighton and could be an offensive upgrade.
62. Cam Spencer – UConn Huskies
2022-23 season stats: 13.2 ppg and 3.1 apg
After three years at Loyola (MD), Spencer transferred to Rutgers where he tied the lead in scoring, shooting an impressive 43% from deep. The 6’4 guard went for 20+ points five different times, including 23 points (6/7 3PT) against Northwestern. He’s now at UConn, where he replaces another sharpshooting guard in Jordan Hawkins in the lineup.
61. PJ Hall – Clemson Tigers
2022-23 season stats: 15.3 ppg and 5.7 rpg
Despite dealing with an offseason knee injury, Hall was able to replace his production from the prior, year, including raising his three-point percentage to 40%. The 6’10 center went for 20+ points 10 times, including a 28-point outing against Louisville. With star forward Hunter Tyson now gone, look for Hall to get even more looks inside as the focal point of the Clemson offense.