Big 12 Basketball: Ranking of top 25 players entering 2023-24 season

20. Pop Isaacs – Texas Tech

Even though he was considered a Top 100 recruit last year, Isaacs really burst onto the scene for the Red Raiders as a freshman, becoming one of the few bright spots in a pretty dreadful season. He averaged 11.5 points and 2.7 assists per game, making 38% of his 3-pointers and nearly 90% of his free throw attempts.

Now, Isaacs is the leading returning scorer but a significant piece for new head coach Grant McCasland. The Red Raiders are hoping that Isaacs can continue to grow in this backcourt. Decision-making was one flaw in Isaacs’ game last season. However, he should fit nicely into McCasland’s offense, especially if he can continue to be a playmaker and shooter. Isaacs looks like he’ll be the best offensive piece for Texas Tech, especially if he can play cohesive basketball with the new faces around him.

19. Jameer Nelson Jr. – TCU

Opting to spend his fifth season at TCU, we’re all wondering what kind of player Nelson will be at TCU. He followed in his father’s footsteps as a solid piece in the A-10 (at George Washington), before spending the last two seasons at Delaware. Nelson is coming off a season where he put up 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, leading the Fightin’ Blue Hens to a decent finish right above .500.

Nelson transitions into the Big 12 as the new point guard for the Horned Frogs with a major opportunity, hoping to slide right into the role that Mike Miles Jr. had in recent years. While he didn’t shoot the ball as successfully from outside the arc last year, Nelson is a very athletic guard with the talent to be a major contributor on both sides of the ball. We’ll just have to see how he fares at the power conference level after beginning his career in the A-10 and CAA.