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

18. Rayj Dennis - Baylor Bears

2023-24 season stats: 14.2 ppg and 6.2 apg

I could make a good case for freshman wing and leading scorer Ja’Kobe Walter to represent the team but Dennis, a transfer point guard from Toledo, has been the glue to the offense. He’s one of the top passers in the sport. Dennis also can score himself, coming off back-to-back 18-point games, including in a road win over OK State.

17. KJ Simpson - Colorado Buffaloes

2023-24 season stats: 20.5 ppg and 4.3 apg

Part of an elite trio of stars, Simpson has stood out the most, thanks to a recent scoring run. The junior has been in double figures in each game this season, including 30 points on the road at Colorado State, as well as 34 in a win over Washington State. Once the Buffaloes are fully healthy, they have a shot to win the Pac-12.

16. DaRon Holmes - Dayton Flyers

2023-24 season stats: 17.7 ppg and 7.0 rpg

The junior forward was already difficult to stop with but an improved three-point shot (40% on 25 attempts), Holmes is next to impossible to deal with in A-10 play. He leads a Dayton squad currently safely in the NCAA Tournament picture, with five 20+ scoring outings. His season-high is 28 points against Cincinnati, the team’s best win to date.