NCAA Basketball: Top 10 players to wear jersey No. 35 in 2023-24 season

5. Izaiyah Nelson (Arkansas State)

This past season provided a lot to like if you’re a fan of Arkansas State and Nelson’s development certainly was a factor in that success. This young forward played solidly at times as a freshman for the Red Wolves during a dreadful campaign but really started to come into his own this past season. New head coach Bryan Hodgson had these Red Wolves playing inspired ball.

Nelson was definitely part of that equation, averaging 9.8 points and 7.6 rebounds during his sophomore year. He made an astounding 67% of his shots inside the arc while starting nearly every game for the Red Wolves. Additionally, he averaged 2.0 blocks per game as one of the nation’s best underclassman shot blockers and saw a dramatic step forward in nearly every aspect of his game. After finishing 13th in his freshman year, Arkansas State won 20 games and finished 4th in a tight Sun Belt.

This season actually started relatively slowly for Nelson, but he really got into a groove as it progressed. He had 17 points and 7 rebounds in a great December win over UAB and scored 15 points a few nights later in winning at Louisville. By the end of the season he was one of the Sun Belt’s best rebounders and shot blockers with several double-doubles down the stretch. After two CBI wins, Arkansas State’s season was ended by High Point despite Nelson’s 25-point, 15-rebound effort.