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

4. Johni Broome – Auburn

As a sophomore at Morehead State, Broome averaged a double-double and was named both OVC Defensive Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. Following that success, he entered the Transfer Portal and found a new home at Auburn. His junior year didn’t have quite the same numbers, but averaging 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds in the SEC isn’t bad at all, especially as he added a bit of an outside shot to his game.

First and foremost, Broome is a major presence in the paint, finishing 2nd in the SEC in blocks this past season. He fit in nicely at the back end after the Tigers lost Walker Kessler last offseason. Beyond that, Broome is no slouch on the offensive end, even if his shooting numbers did take a slight step back at Auburn. Big things are expected from him after what he’s shown his first three seasons playing college ball, establishing himself as the SEC’s elite defensive center.

3. Santiago Vescovi – Tennessee

Things have been going pretty well at Tennessee in recent years and Vescovi is a significant reason for that success. He enters his fifth season as a starting guard for the Volunteers, fresh off a run to the Sweet Sixteen. Last year he averaged 12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, shooting 37% from outside the arc.

Throughout his career in Knoxville Vescovi has been considered a top-level shooter, and his scoring ability has been handy for the Volunteers. He’s been one of the primary offensive cogs for a defensive-minded program, and Rick Barnes is really counting on Vescovi’s scoring ability. He’s not the elite defender that some of his teammates are, but he’s an effective, efficient backcourt menace that always gives Tennessee a chance to win their games.