NCAA Basketball: Top 10 players to wear jersey No. 2 in 2023-24 season

4. Reece Beekman (Virginia)

Thoughts of Virginia create thoughts of their stout defense and Beekman has certainly been part of that equation for the last four years. A starting guard for almost his whole time in Charlottesville, Beekman is fresh off his best season for the Cavaliers, becoming a major contributor on both sides of the ball during a bizarrely inconsistent year for the Virginia program.

Beekman continued his defensive prowess while putting up impressive offensive numbers, averaging 14.3 points and 6.2 assists in the process. Not only did Beekman lead the ACC in assists and finish second in steals, he was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season.  His overall impact on Virginia was impressive, getting the Cavaliers narrowly into the Big Dance.

Now Beekman wasn’t the player you were expecting to drop 20 every night, but he provided sparks both on offense and defense. He did have some nice performances in ACC play and had double-doubles in both of the Cavaliers’ ACC Tournament games, though his 15 points weren’t near enough in their tough loss in the First Four. Regardless, Beekman’s impact was certainly felt on defense and led to even more ACC honors.