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Top College Basketball Players for the 2020-2021 Season: 10-1

James NavalanceBy Updated:10 Mins Read

1. Luka Garza Iowa

Garza is the best big man in college basketball and is a dominant force with his ability to score at all three levels with the size and skill he brings. He’s physically imposing but his feel and ability to move great with his back to the basket is great. Also, he has the ability to face up and attack very effectively with his short jumper and ability for a drop step. Furthermore, he’s dynamic in ball screen action with the ability to step out to the three-point line where he is very good. Next, his overall mobility and footwork is exceptional and is what really makes him so good and difficult to guard, as well as being a really good screener opening himself and others well. Additionally, his touch around the rim is elite and the positioning by Garza is better than any big in the country. As for defensively, he could improve his post positioning and overall technique, as well as moving more effectively on the defensive is key for his growth there. Garza will be the lead for National Player of the Year and helping Iowa compete for the National Championship and Big Ten title next season.

2. Marcus Zegarowski Creighton

Marcus Zegarowski Named Second Team All-American By NBC Sports ...Zegarowski had a phenomenal season and was one of the most improved players in the country. He is one of the best guards in the country. Next, he is a very good shooter off the catch and dribble and plays with a great feel. Furthermore, his ability to move off the ball and make shots at a consistent rate is superior. Also, he is really good at making plays with the basketball going downhill in ball screen action. He also pulls up in transition consistently with knockdown ability. He does a good job of getting others involved with his passing ability. Zegarowski is an elite shooter and scorer who will be one of the best players in college basketball next season. Now defensively, he does a very solid job on the ball and doesn’t take any chances. He moves well laterally and is in good position off the ball as well. Zegarowski will be in contention for Big East Player of the Year and be one of the best point guards in the country.

3. Cade Cunnigham Oklahoma State

Cunnigham is staying at Oklahoma State, making them must-watch team next season despite their ineligibility for the NCAA tournament. Furthermore, he will be in completion to be the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft with his great size and skill. He will be a really good distributor for Oklahoma State with his size along and passing ability being a forming a great backcourt with Issac Likekele. He can get to the rim well and finishes with good touch consistently. Also, his ability to have a great feel will make him the focal point of the Oklahoma State offense. Next, his ability to defend will be good with his size and athleticism being able to move laterally well. His shooting should improve throughout the season and once that develops he will be a complete offensive threat. Cunnigham has the potential to be an All-American type player next season.

4. Sam Hauser Virginia

Hauser is a very smooth, well-rounded shooter. He is a catch and shoot machine from deep and coming off of screens, opening to the perimeter. Further, he can come off of curls for mid-range jumpers and make them very effectively. In addition, he has the ability to post up in the mid-post and face-up with ease. His ability to play off the ball is very good with his movement to get open. Also, his back to the basket game is very solid with jump hooks. Hauser is an offensive piece that Tony Bennett will rely on heavily and will be a perfect fit for their offensive concepts. On the defensive end, he will be solid with his size and ability to move his feet guarding the perimeter. Also, the length is good enough where is disrupt shots and drivers. Hauser will be a valuable addition to Virginia this upcoming season and be an All-American candidate.

5. Keyontae Johnson Florida

Johnson had an exceptional season being very efficient on the offensive end. He has the ability to be very good in transition getting to the basket or spotting up as a shooter. Also, he has great size and does a good job of getting to the basket. Additionally, his strength and size make him a very tough cover and he’s very solid making shots off the dribble. Further, he plays well off the ball as a cutter and spotting up for shots. His overall versatility and ability to attack mismatches are really good. He rebounds the basketball very well on both ends of the floor. Johnson is as complete of any scorer in the SEC and country with the ability to be an All-American-type player this season. Now defensively, he’s really physical and does a good job of getting out the perimeter to contest shots. Also, he brings the versatility to guard multiple positions. Johnson is going to be one of the best players in college basketball next season.

6. Aaron Henry Michigan State

Henry improved his ability to make shots and bring really good versatility on both ends of the floor. Furthermore, he’s a great attacker of the basket with his size and ability to finish around the basket. Next, he’s really solid with his ability to get to the mid-range jumpers making them consistently. His ability to move without the ball is really good. His versatility is huge being able to play multiple positions for Michigan State and he rebounds the ball very well. Also, his shot is his biggest weakness but that continues to get better and his three-point shot should take the next step forward. Henry is a swiss army knife and he has very solid touch around the basket. Now defensively, his length and ability to guard multiple positions are very good. Also, he moves extremely well on-ball and brings really good toughness. Henry is a very good player and should be one of the best wings in college basketball next season.

7. Corey Kispert Gonzaga

Kispert is a knockdown shooter who really took great strides in becoming the go-to option for Gonzaga on the perimeter. Next, he’s very good in transition getting a three-point spot-up shot with great ease or using his size to get to the basket effectively. Also, he moves extremely well without the basketball creating space to get open for shots and his great shooting ability. Furthermore, he’s capable of being a really good cutter to the rim and having the size to finish very well. Additionally, he can be very good at ball screen action getting to the middle of the lane with runners and short jumpers. His area of improvement could be making more shots off the dribble and getting to the rim more often. Kispert is a very good scorer, not just a shooter. As for the defensive end, he moves well laterally and has the size to defend drives effectively. He’s a well-rounded defender who is solid in everything he does. Kispert will be one of the best players in college basketball looking to contribute to Gonzaga winning the National Championship.

8. Jared Butler Baylor

Butler is one of the best guards in the country and had an exceptional sophomore season. Now, his scoring ability is very good and his ball control skills are really good. He also has the ability to attack in transition getting to the basket well and pulling up for perimeter jumpers. Furthermore, he has sneaky athleticism with his ability to use his speed to get by players and finish strong around the basket. Additionally, his ability to shoot off the dribble and catch is very good. Butler is the key to the Baylor offense and is very efficient with the ability to get others involved. The ability to score in one on one opportunities could improve and score in highly contested situations. Now defensively, he does a very good job of being active off the basketball and being in help consistently. Also, he does a good job of containing the ball with his activity. Butler will be one of the best point guards in the country looking to lead Baylor to a National Championship.

 

9. Collin Gillespie Villanova

Gillespie is the leader of Villanova and set the tone with their offensive success as he has a great feel and is as fundamentally sound as any point guard in the country. Next, he’s great in catch and shoots opportunities from deep. He also gets into the middle of the lane in great control with his jump stop and the ability to pass or shoot. Furthermore, he’s really good at getting others in scoring positions, and dribble penetration is great with his ball and head fakes. Additionally, an area he could get better in creating his shot off the dribble and making shots with contested defense. He moves really well without the basketball and gets set up in a scoring position. Also, he’s a tough player who will scrap for everything and fits perfectly into the Villanova scheme and culture. Defensively, he’s really solid with his overall positioning and effort. He does a good job of taking away space for the guard and fighting through screens. Gillespie will be one of the best point guards in the country and will look to lead Villanova to a National Championship.

10. Davion Mitchell Baylor

Mitchell is a very productive player on both ends of the floor and is a major key to Baylor’s success. He moves really well off the basketball with the ability to make the catch and shoot threes as well as drives off dribble handoffs. Mitchell is great in transition with his athleticism and ability to get to the rim very effectively. Next, he’s quick with the ball and has good size but he can improve his ability to finish through contact. Also, he’s really good in ball screen situations allowing him to attack and pull back for threes. His ability to improve his shot off the dribble and his overall strength will allow Mitchell to get to the next level offensively. Now defensively, he is one of the best defenders in the country with his ability to harass the ball handler and his lateral movement to stay in front at all times is very impressive. His length is really good as well and he denies very effectively by forcing turnovers for transition opportunities. His overall effort and technique defensively are exceptional on and off the ball. Mitchell will be apart of one of the best teams in the country next season and look to be even more of a threat offensively.

Images Courtesy of, Baylor University Athletics, Creighton University Athletics, Yahoo! Sports

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