ACC Basketball: Ranking of top 25 players entering 2023-24 season

16. DJ Burns – NC State

After starting his career by redshirting at Tennessee, Burns had three very productive years at Winthrop, winning Big South Player of the Year before transferring to NC State last offseason. His senior year with the Wolfpack was productive too, with Burns putting up 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in what was certainly a bounce back season for NC State.

He’s a paint presence who does great work in the frontcourt for the Wolfpack, who can plug him in for one final season. While Burns has no outside shot and his numbers did take a slight step back last season, he was doing his work last year against the ACC and got NC State back to the Big Dance. Now back for one last chance at glory, expect him to remain a major threat on offense.

15. Chase Hunter – Clemson

This will be Hunter’s fifth and final season with the Tigers and he’s gotten a little better with each passing year. He took a major step forward as a senior, putting up 13.8 points and 4.5 assists per game in his first year as a full-time starter in the backcourt. Not only was he among the ACC’s leaders in assists, but he had his best shooting figures, making 36% of his 3-pointers.

Those numbers aren’t world-beating, but his return is still very important for Clemson. He’s part of a cluster of very talented players in Brad Brownell’s system and having a veteran and experienced point guard is a major asset these days. While Hunter has only started 54 games the last four seasons, he has developed as a scorer and ball handler, taking pretty good care of the basketball last season from the point.