NCAA Basketball: Top 25 Player of the Year candidates for 2023-24 season

24. Johni Broome - Auburn Tigers

2023-24 season stats: 15.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg

Broome had a strong start to the season, including a 30-point and 13-rebound game against Virginia Tech and averaging 18.5 ppg in the past four games. The big man had 14 points and eight rebounds on the road at Arkansas and has once again been the best player on a team that looks capable of contending in the SEC.

23. Great Osobor - Utah State Aggies

2023-24 season stats: 18.5 ppg and 9.5 rpg

One of the top impact transfers in all of NCAA Basketball, Osobor leads a surprisingly good Aggies squad to a 14-1 (2-0) record and is on track to make the Big Dance again. He’s off to a great start in Mountain West play, scoring a career-high 32 points against Air Force and producing 20 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Colorado State. In a league already with a few All-American candidates, Osobor has become one himself.

22. Braden Smith - Purdue Boilermakers

2023-24 season stats: 13.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 6.7 apg

As much attention that Edey has had, Smith has been a sophomore breakout player of his own, ranking as one of the best passers in NCAA Basketball. He’s also capable of being a great scorer, including 26 points in a big win over Arizona. When he’s putting the ball in the basket, Purdue is almost impossible to beat.