10. Jason Edwards - Providence
2024-25 season stats (at Vanderbilt): 17 ppg and 2.0 rpg
The 6’1 guard was one of the biggest impact players in the SEC this season, leading Vandy in scoring. Edwards, who shot 35% from deep, had 10 games of at least 20 points, including 30 in a win over TCU. He replaces the outgoing Jayden Pierre to be the next projected lead guard for the Friars, who desperately need an offensive weapon.
9. Bennett Stirtz - Iowa
2024-25 season stats (at Drake): 19.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 5.7 apg
The former D2 star proved to be one of the best first-year college basketball players, leading Drake in scoring and rebounding en route to an MVC Tournament title. Stirtz shot 50% from the field and 40% from three-point shooting, including 30 points in a win over Southern Illinois. The guard will follow Coach Ben McCollum once again, going to the Iowa Hawkeyes this offseason.
8. Owen Freeman - Creighton
2024-25 season stats (at Iowa): 16.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg
Despite being limited to just 19 games, Freeman still was one of the best bigs in the Big Ten, shooting 64% from the field. He’s also an underrated shot-blocker, with nearly two blocks a game in the last two years. The sophomore big man will replace 4-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year star Ryan Kalkbrenner at Creighton, but they won’t take a step back on the offensive end with Freeman joining.
7. Keyshawn Hall - Auburn
2024-25 season stats (at UCF): 18.8 ppg and 7.1 rpg
The 6’7 forward produced career-high numbers in his lone year with the Knights, earning All-Big 12 honors. Hall had seven games with at least 25 points, including a career-high 40 versus Arizona State. He joins Final Four-program Auburn, who loses All-American Johni Broome and may not have Chad Baker-Mazara around either, making him the potential future focal point of the team.
6. Jayden Quaintance - Kentucky
2024-25 season stats (at Arizona State): 9.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, and 2.6 bpg
Despite being the youngest player in all college basketball last season, Quaintance was an impactful freshman out the gate, including being one of the top shot-blockers in the country. The All-Big 12 defensive forward had six double-doubles, including 19 points and 11 rebounds against UMass. Although he’s currently recovering from an ACL injury, Quaintance will replace Amari Williams at the center spot, giving them a true anchor for the interior defense.