NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 100 returning players entering 2024-25 season
85. Langston Love, Baylor Bears
2023-24 season stats: 11.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.2 APG
Despite not starting a single game last season, Love was instrumental for the Bears off the bench, averaging 11 points and shooting 47% from the field and 48% from three on 75 total three-point attempts. Love has demonstrated consistent improvement from his freshman to sophomore seasons. Expecting another year of improvement seems wise even if he may come off the bench in 2024-25.
84. Andersson Garcia, Texas A&M Aggies
2023-24 season stats: 6.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG
Nobody embodies Texas A&M basketball more than Andersson Garcia. Last season, the Aggies were among college basketball’s top offensive-rebounding teams. Garcia’s role in that was a major reason why. Garcia averaged 9.1 RPG and over four offensive rebounds per game. The 4.33 offensive rebounds per game average was the second-highest total in NCAA basketball behind none other than Zach Edey last season. Don’t look past Andersson Garcia this season.
83. J’Wan Roberts, Houston Cougars
2023-24 season stats: 9.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 APG
Kelvin Sampson’s aggressive, tough-nosed, blitz-like defense has been the pinnacle of college basketball defenses in his tenure leading the Cougars. At the heart of its defense is J’Wan Roberts, among the many agonizing interior forces in Kelvin Sampson’s suffocating defense. In addition, Roberts has expanded his offensive game by developing a lethal hook shot, giving Sampson a clear go-to scoring option in the paint and a top returnee in college basketball.
82. Jaylin Sellers, UCF Knights
2023-24 season stats: 15.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.1 APG
Jaylin Sellers and the UCF Knights surpassed expectations last year after a competitive showing in the 18-game Big 12 fight. Sellers, who led the Knights in scoring (15.9), is an excellent three-level scorer. If the combo guard can hone his efficiency from behind the arc, perhaps his name should be even higher on this list.
81. Daniel Skillings Jr., Cincinnati Bearcats
2023-24 season stats: 12.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 APG
Despite only starting in 15 of 36 games on a balanced Bearcats roster, Daniel Skillings. Jr. led Cincinnati in scoring (12.9) and was second in rebounds (6.4). The optimism and preseason buzz for Wes Miller’s group is through the roof. The Bearcats are a legitimate preseason top-25 team and the return of Skillings Jr. is a major reason why.