NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 100 returning players entering 2024-25 season
80. Fletcher Loyer, Purdue Boilermakers
2023-24 season stats: 10.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.9 APG
Despite a scoring average decrease, Fletcher Loyer’s efficiency numbers sky-rocketed last season, increasing his FG% from 36.7 to 41.6 and 3P% from 32.6 to 44.4. Given how well he shot from three last season, it's plausible that Fletcher Loyer may be the best three-point shooter in the Big Ten.
79. Donovan Dent, New Mexico Lobos
2023-24 season stats: 14.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 5.4 APG
The Donovan Dent sophomore breakout season was well-documented. According to University of New Mexico athletics, Dent was “one of three players nationally in 2023-24 to have multiple 10 assist/zero turnover games.” Talk about impressive. With the departures of Jamal Mashburn Jr. (Temple) and Jaelen House (graduation), an even bigger season is in store for Dent.
78. Dion Brown, Boston College Eagles
2023-24 season stats: 19.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.6 APG
Dion Brown arrives in Chestnut Hill after a stellar sophomore breakout campaign at UMBC. What’s impressive about Brown is that despite his high-volume role (15.2 FGA), Brown shot 50% from the field. What’s even more noteworthy? At 6-foot-3, he was UMBC’s leading rebounder with 7.6 RPG. Buy into the Dion Brown stock now before it is too late.
77. Elijah Hawkins, Texas Tech Red Raiders
2023-24 season stats: 9.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 7.5 APG
Elijah Hawkins arrives at Texas Tech as among college basketball’s premier assist leaders, ranking second nationally in APG (7.5) last season at Minnesota. The needle-threading guard fits the bill for what Texas Tech HC Grant McCasland was looking for in the transfer portal this offseason: a true PG and an excellent facilitator.
76. Owen Freeman, Iowa Hawkeyes
2023-24 season stats: 10.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.2 APG
Owen Freeman, the reigning Big Ten ROY, returns to Iowa City after an impressive freshman campaign, shooting 61% from the field and averaging double figures in only 22 MPG. With more backcourt minutes opening up and trusting the proven development track record of HC Fran McCaffery, the sky's the limit for Owen Freeman in 2024-25, who hopes to take Iowa back to the NCAA Tournament.