NCAA Basketball: Top 10 players to wear jersey No. 1 in 2023-24 season

1. Jamal Shead (Houston)

In recent years, Houston established themselves as one of the nation’s most prominent programs. That did not change when the Cougars transitioned from the AAC to the Big 12 and Shead is a big reason for that success. Not only has he been an important piece the last four seasons for the Cougars, but he saved his best for this senior year.

Shead was a menace all over the court, averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals for the Cougars. Not only did he guide Houston to a regular season title in their first year in the Big 12, he was named both Big 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for his dominance. Shead ranked among the national leaders in steals and assists, was named a First Team All-American, and guided the Cougars to the Sweet Sixteen before a terribly-timed injury ended his season against Duke.

He played inspired basketball but seemed to save his best for league play. Shead dropped 29 points on Texas Tech and guided the Cougars to quite the winning streak to finish off the regular season. His 16-point, 11-rebound, 6-steal, 6-assist effort in a win over Texas was incredible and just one of his stat-stuffing performances. He scored 21 points on Texas A&M to lead Houston to the Sweet Sixteen, though his injury really finished off their hopes. It’s a horrendous stroke of luck as this Cougars team had Final Four potential, with Shead clearly one of the nation’s premier players.