NCAA Basketball: Ranking top 100 returning players entering 2024-25 season
75. Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee Volunteers
2023-24 season stats: 11.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 6.1 APG
Among the best on-ball defenders in NCAA basketball, the reigning SEC DPOY returns to Knoxville for his senior season, leading the charge in the Vols’ backcourt in 2024-25. Despite standing at just 5-foot-9, Zeigler is electrifying. Quickness, confidence, IQ and toughness -- you can name it, and Zeigler has it all.
74. Myles Rice, Indiana Hoosiers
2023-24 season stats: 14.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.8 APG
The reigning 2023-24 PAC-12 ROY soared into the national scene last season, becoming the heartbeat of a team that saw its NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008. The three-level scoring guard is superb off of ball screens and in transition. Questions may arise on how well he can shoot behind the perimeter but don’t press the panic button just yet. Expect his shooting percentage from three to increase with more experience.
73. Maxime Raynaud, Stanford Cardinal
2023-24 season stats: 15.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.0 APG
Maxime Raynaud was one of the top transfer portal pieces this offseason after a breakout junior season, yet opted to return to the Stanford Cardinal under first-year HC Kyle Smith. Entering his senior year, the 7-foot-1 center can do it all, shooting an impressive 36.1% from three and almost 70% at the rim, according to Hoop Math.
72. Andrew Carr, Kentucky Wildcats
2023-24 season stats: 13.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG
The (literal) new-look Kentucky Wildcats are muddled in mystery, bringing plenty of intrigue to the table entering year one of the Mark Pope era. Among its most intriguing pieces is Andrew Carr, the 6-foot-9 power forward who shot 37.1% from three last season. Kentucky’s frontcourt is relatively young. Adding a shot-blocking veteran piece who can stretch the floor and rebound the basketball is the perfect recipe.
71. Steven Ashworth, Creighton Bluejays
2023-24 season stats: 11.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.2 APG
Steven Ashworth needed some time to get into his groove last year. Patience was a virtue in Omaha because Ashworth turned on the jets in January, ranking second in assist-to-turnover ratio and eighth in three-pointers made in Big East play, according to Creighton athletics. The three-point veteran sharpshooter is a the top backcourt returnee in the conference.