NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 100 returning players entering 2024-25 season
20. Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky Wildcats
2023-24 season stats: 14.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.3 APG
Jaxon Robinson’s volatile career has included stops at Texas A&M and Arkansas, however, his impact at BYU makes him among the top returnees in college basketball next season. Under Mark Pope at BYU, Robinson led the Cougars in scoring despite coming off the bench, earning the 2023-24 Big 12 sixth-man of the year award last season. The 6-foot-7 lengthy SG has the versatility to flourish on the perimeter in Mark Pope’s three-point, fast-paced friendly system. A monster season lies ahead for Robinson.
19. AJ Storr, Kansas Jayhawks
2023-24 season stats: 16.8 PPG, 3.9 RPG
Bill Self won’t allow what transpired last year to happen this year. AJ Storr slotting in at SF spot is a great start. After spending a season at St. John’s, Storr took on a high-volume role at Wisconsin last year. Although he struggled to stay consistent behind the arc, the talent is through the roof. Bill Self will push the right buttons to have Storr flourish in Lawrence with a veteran-laden team on his hands.
18. Norchad Omier, Baylor Bears
2023-24 seasons stats: 17.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.2 APG
After spending two seasons at Arkansas State, Norchard Omier had a wildly successful stint at Miami (FL), averaging a double-double (he’s averaged a double-double throughout his entire career) last season, establishing himself as one of the best frontcourt players in the ACC. At 6-foot-7, Omier is physically imposing for his size. He’s an excellent rebounder who scores efficiently at the rim. His fit in Waco, Texas under Scott Drew couldn’t be any better.
17. Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2023-24 season stats: 18.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.5 APG
Maybe a fresh start was all that Hunter Sallis needed. Sallis, who played a reserve role at Gonzaga for two seasons, transferred to Wake Forest last season, immediately making his mark in the ACC. The 6-foot-5 three-level scorer has a great positional size that will bode well in the professional ranks. The return of Hunter Sallis gives Steve Forbes his best shot at getting the Demon Deacons over the hump and back into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
16. Oumar Ballo, Indiana Hoosiers
2023-24 season stats: 12.9 PPG, 10.1 RG
Oumar Ballo has meticulously become college basketball’s most daunting traditional center. Averaging a double-double last season, Ballo was one of the best finishers in the sport, shooting 65.8% from the field and over 70% at the rim. He can clean up the glass as well as anyone in the country and is among the top transfers in the Big Ten returning for a fifth and final year of eligibility.