NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 100 returning players entering 2024-25 season
30. Coleman Hawkins, Kansas State Wildcats
2023-24 season stats: 12.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.7 APG
Opting to return to college after deciding to withdraw his name from the 2024 NBA Draft, Coleman Hawkins immediately became the most highly sought-after transfer portal target in late May. Now off to the Little Apple, the veteran forward brings an electrifying skillset as a deep-range, three-point shooting threat with a dazzling 6-foot-10, lengthy frame.
29. Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State Cyclones
2023-24 season stats: 12.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.9 APG
It goes without saying: Tamin Lipsey is vastly underrated and is a key reason why the Cyclones enter the 2024-25 season with unwavering preseason hype. As a tenacious defender, the Ames, Iowa native averaged 2.7 steals per game, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. But that’s just part of his game. The do-it-all PG has tremendous speed, IQ and hustle, which allows Lipsey -- who stands at just 6-foot-1 -- to make an impact on all ends of the floor.
28. Jeremy Roach, Baylor Bears
2023-24 season stats: 14.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.3 APG
Jeremy Roach established himself as one of the better guards in the ACC last season, shooting 43% from three, molding himself into a consistent shooter over his four years in Durham. Now set to play the point in Waco this season, Roach will carry more of an on-ball role, facilitating an offense that has been ranked in the top ten in KenPom offensive efficiency over the past four years.
27. Bryce Hopkins, Providence Friars
2023-2024 season stats: 15.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.4 APG
Despite last season being painstakingly cut short after tearing his ACL in early January, the return of Bryce Hopkins immediately injects optimism amongst the Friar faithful. The 6-foot-6 combo forward can score on all three levels, defend multiple positions and use his aggressiveness to stuff the stat sheet. A fully healthy Hopkins? Watch out.
26. Tucker DeVries, West Virginia Mountaineers
2023-24 season stats: 21.6 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.7 APG
Tucker DeVries’ recruitment to Morgantown was fairly quick after his father, Darian DeVries, was named the head coach of the Mountaineers. Tucker, among the top scorers in college basketball last season, averaged over 21 PPG at Drake in 2023-24 -- the catalyst to the Bulldog’s recent success. Now in the Big 12, the high-scoring wing will be the focal point for West Virginia entering the 2024-25 season.