NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 100 returning players entering 2024-25 season
35. Tyrese Proctor, Duke Blue Devils
2023-24 season stats: 10.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.7 APG
Tyrese Proctor had a solid sophomore campaign, increasing his FG% from 38 to 42 percent and 3P% from 32 to 35 percent on a Duke squad that was one win shy of a Final Four. Despite the gradual improvement, it feels as if Proctor has yet to put all of the pieces together -- and that can change this season. We haven’t seen the best version of Proctor yet. On a team littered with incoming freshmen, Proctor’s veteran presence in the backcourt is vital to Duke’s success in 2024-25.
34. LJ Cryer, Houston Cougars
2023-24 season stats: 15.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG
After spending three years at Baylor, LJ Cryer put together a quality season under Kelvin Sampson, leading the Cougars in PPG (15.5) on nearly 39% shooting from three. Now returning for his fifth and final year of eligibility, the three-point marksman and 2023-24 Second-Team All-Big 12 honoree are among the top shooters in college basketball.
33. Bruce Thornton, Ohio State Buckeyes
2023-24 season stats: 15.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.8 APG
As a two-year starter for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Bruce Thornton has put together back-to-back strong seasons as the lead guard in Columbus. He is among the most underrated -- and underappreciated -- returning guards in college basketball next season thanks to his ability to take care of the basketball, score at an efficient clip and create for others. He posted the nation’s second-highest assist-to-turnover ratio.
32. Matthew Murrell, Ole Miss Rebels
2023-24 season stats: 16.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.4 APG
Matthew Murrell has been the face of the Ole Miss Rebels basketball program over the past four years. After withdrawing from the 2024 NBA Draft and returning to Oxford for his fifth and final season, the 6-foot-4 guard is primed for another big-time season. His efficiency numbers increased tremendously last year. Expect that to be much the same this year.
31. Robbie Avila, Saint Louis Billkens
2023-24 season stats: 17.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 4.1 APG
Robbie Avila quickly became a household name amongst college basketball’s mid-majors last season, leading the 31-win Indiana State Sycamores in points while shooting 53.6% from the field and nearly 40% from three. Following Josh Shertz to Saint Louis, the 6-foot-10 stretch-five big man has the makings to be among the A10’s best players next season.