Most Valuable College Basketball Players

For the tip off of college basketball, we looked at the most important players in the country. We break down the top 25 returning players and why they are so important to their team, as well as the top ten impact-freshman to see what they can do for their teams as well as their draft stock.

1. Georges Niang, F, Iowa State Sr.

Niang is one of the top frontcourt players in the country. He is a versatile impact-player (15 ppg), who can outmaneuver you in the paint or drop one from downtown (40% 3-pointers). Going on a deep run in March is probably on his mind, but how he will fare with new coach Steve Prohm is what makes his season so interesting.

2. Kris Dunn, PG, Providence Jr.

Dunn is the reigning Co-Big East Player of the Year and that's for good reason (15 ppg 7 apg 5 rpg 3 spg). Dunn is an electrifying impact player who'll make his squad a dangerous team in March.

3. Melo Trimble, PG, Maryland So.

Trimble is the ringleader of a team that is oozing with talent and title aspirations. He averaged 16 ppg while shooting 44/41/86. Another year of averaging those numbers should help drive up his NBA stock.

4. Jakob Poeltl, C, Utah So.

Poeltl is a big 7-footer who could have already left for the NBA, but decided to stay and develop his skills more. He averaged 9 ppg and 6 rpg while shooting 68 percent from the field. His numbers seem a little low, but he only played an average of 23 minutes per game. If he can upgrade his outside shot, size and defense, he'll help improve his NBA stock.

5. Domantas Sabonis, C, Gonzaga, So.

This NBA prospect averaged 10 ppg and 7 rpg in only 21 minutes of play, while shooting 66 percent from the field last year. He's Gonzaga’s best big man on a stacked team. The question is, can he help them finally get over the hump to a Final Four?

6. Marcus Paige, PG, UNC Sr.

Paige will be the beating heart for this juggernaut UNC team. His numbers dipped a little last year averaging 14 ppg and 4 apg, but that can be due to the pressure of the NBA. Another year should help develop his skills, and give UNC a chance at a national title.

7. Buddy Hield, G, Oklahoma Jr.

He is one of the most exciting players to watch (17 ppg) and isn't afraid to shoot the ball. He is a relentless attacker, who wants the ball in his hands at the end of the game. Hield helps give this squad Final Four potential.

8.Caris LeVert, G, Michigan Sr.

Levert was averaging 15 ppg before a foot injury caused him to miss the final three months of last year’s season. LeVert has size (6-foot-7) and 3-point shooting (40 percent) which could make him a highly touted prospect come draft time.

9. Ron Baker, G, Wichita State Sr.

This senior has helped bring The Shockers to prominence. Coming off a year of averaging 14 ppg and 4 rpg, this icon helps make these Shockers contenders for a National Title. Could the NBA be in his future?

10. Kyle Wiltjer, F, Gonzaga Sr.

This Kentucky transfer put up some gaudy shooting numbers last year averaging nearly 17 ppg while shooting 46 percent from downtown. Look for him to shoot his way to another stellar season.

11. Fred VanVleet, PG, Witchita State, Sr.

The other key player to The Shockers’ consistent success has been Van Fleet. His numbers dipped a bit from last year, but he still held his own as a great defender. Van Fleet and Baker look to shock the world together one last season.

12. Nigel Hayes, F, Wisconsin Jr.

Now that Dekker and Kaminsky have departed for the NBA, this is Hayes’ team. He has a nice touch from outside (39 percent), while having the capabilities of bullying down low. If he can become a more aggressive attacker, he'll help his draft stock.

13. Isaiah Taylor, G, Texas So

Taylor didn't live up to expectations last year, but that could be due to an underachieving team lead by head coach Barnes. Now that Shakka Smart is there to instill his constant pressure philosophy, look for Taylor to thrive in this system.

14. Demetrius Jackson, G, Notre Dame Jr.

Most of Jackson’s value comes in his leadership as the floor general. Sure, he is a great scorer and a strong effort defender, but his ability to create and maintain the right pace showed to be a strong attribute alongside Jerian Grant on the fast-break last season. Jackson now has complete control and will become the most valuable player on the Irish for this year.

15. Malik Pope, F, San Diego State, So

Pope is an NBA prospect mainly because of his NBA frame and his ability to shoot and score at 6-foot-9. Some may say he is too low on this list due to his length, defensive ability, and scoring upside. However, it really is the upside in what makes him special. He can shoot himself out of games, and at times can never get into games. Either way, his progress this year will be important to track.

16. Denzel Valentine, SF, Michigan State Sr.

The senior from Michigan may be the most underrated key player in the entire country. Valentine doesn’t wow you with athleticism, but with a 6-foot-5 guard body that can handle the ball and play defense in the post, Valentine is your typical Spartan. His leadership could be what has this team dancing deep into March.

17. AJ Hammons, C, Purdue Sr.

Hammons averaged 12 points, 7 boards, and 3 blocks last year and he comes back in a situation where he can grow as not only a player, but also a leader. With Jon Octeus now gone, a lot of the ball handling is gone for Purdue. With Hammons’ experience, he will see the ball early in possessions, and in more of a leader role, will be responsible for helping get freshman and top recruit Caleb Swanigan going from the Power Forward position. If the two can gel, they will have one of the most feared frontcourts in the country.

18. D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, PG, Georgetown, Sr.

Smith-Rivera will have all eyes on him because he had declared for the draft last year only to pull back at the last minute. In his defense, he had almost no chance of being drafted. In his senior season, leadership will be his biggest strength, and with a young crew around him, Georgetown will only go as far as he takes them.

19. Yogi Ferrell, PG, Indiana, Sr.

The Ferrell-Tom Crean relationship has been one to watch in recent years. Ferrell has been a primary starter since his freshman year and is finally to the point where he is the leader of the team. He isn’t the most talented athlete on a team with Troy Williams and Thomas Bryant, but with those young talents beside him, it will be his control on both sides of the ball at the point that makes him so valuable.

20. Brice Johnson, PF, UNC, Sr.

Johnson appears to be another team leader on UNC. With him and Paige at the top, it is no wonder this team is favored to win the NCAA title. Johnson is an emotional leader and uses his defense and dunking ability to get the team fired up. He is a high-energy guy and a workhorse in the paint, and with the developing Justin Jackson beside him, he can help him grow into an even better talent than he already is.

21. Perry Ellis, PF, Kansas, Sr.

Ellis is valuable on a young Kansas team because of what he can do around the basket. He is considered the garbage man, and is always cleaning up after others in the paint. He has a decent shot and can step away from the hoop to create spacing, but his post footwork and rebounding are his great strengths. With Freshman Cheick Diallo playing beside him, it will be an important task to use that leadership to help him grow.

22.Tyler Ullis, PG, Kentucky, So.

Ullis was as clutch as it comes for Kentucky last year. He thrived in a role of coming off the bench and pushing the tempo. With both Harrison brothers gone, he will see a lot of time handling the ball. With the freshman talent at guard for Kentucky, it will be a test as to how he can mesh with the talent and maintain his up-tempo style of play.

23. Eron Harris, SG, Michigan State, Jr

Harris is a guy we wanted to highlight as he is arguably the top transfer player this year. Harris looked like an emerging talent in his first two seasons at WVU. While sitting out last year due to his transfer, it affected a lot of his hype heading into this year. Still, he should be remembered for a good shot and underrated defense, and on a more talented Spartan squad, it could be a breakout year and one that puts the Spartans back in Final 4 talk.

24. Kaleb Tarczewski, C, Arizona, Sr

The Wildcats lost a lot of size this year and they will be relying on “Tarc” more than ever before. Tarczewski is an underrated presence under the hoop. He has an old school style with rebounding and put-back mentality, but he can also step away from the paint and hit a shot or two. After losing his four other starters to the NBA, there could be three freshmen in the lineup with him a lot of the time. To have a presence such as him down low is key to maintaining successful possessions.

25. Sterling Gibbs, PG, UCONN, Sr.

Gibbs is a must-watch player who is starting in a new scenery this season. Gibbs ended a run at Seton Hall in somewhat embarrassing fashion. Now he heads into his last year of eligibility with a chip on his shoulder. Many have speculated that he is as talented, if not more talented than his brother and former Pitt star Ashton. However, at Seton Hall he was unable to live up to the hype despite averaging 16 points per game last year. On a more stable program and with a great coach in Kevin Ollie, we would be remiss to not mention Gibbs as a player to watch this season.

Players Considered (listed alphabetically):

Grayson Allen

Zach Auguste

Malcolm Brogdon

AJ English

Justin Jackson

Roosevelt Jones

Jake Layman

Frank Mason

Sheldon McClellen

Gary Payton Jr.

Troy Williams

Top 10 Freshman

1. Ben Simmons, F, LSU

Scouting freshman via YouTube is never a fool-proof plan to understand what a player truly is, but Simmons appears to be the full package. Size, speed, scoring, with ball handling, passing, and athleticism, you tend to question when he would have been selected in this past NBA draft. At age 18, Simmons looks like the real deal to be the #1 pick in the NBA draft.

2. Skal Labissiere, F, Kentucky

At 6-foot-11 and 245 lbs., this freshman should get plenty of time in the power forward role, but with his outside shooting and handling abilities, minutes at the small forward position are not out of the question. Many have compared him to the likes of Kevin Garnett, and while I will not go there yet, I see the idea of a long, lean shooting threat that can also block shots in the paint. This year, his biggest test will be defending the paint.

3. Brandon Ingram, F, Duke

When I see the top freshmen, I see the top three in a tier of their own. Ingram, like the other two, has the size and athleticism that gives him the ability to do everything. With a slimmer frame at 6-foot-9, his best strength is his outside shooting game, and that is a scary thought when considering that he should be able to grow into his frame and fill it out more.

4. Jaylen Brown, F, California

This kid initially reminded me of Stanley Johnson, mainly due to the fact that as a freshman, he enters the season with an NBA body, but also an NBA-style of play. Wanting to attack more than shoot is a similarity, but Brown may have more athleticism and ability to be an above-the-rim player in the NBA. That’s what I’m looking for out of him this season.

5. Malik Newman, G, Mississippi State

Something about Newman stood out to me. It takes a certain player to join a guy like Ben Howland in his first year in the SEC, and at a program with as little history as Mississippi State. It takes a guy who clearly wants to be the man, and isn’t afraid of failure, and really doesn’t care about exposure. You need your play to expose yourself. Newman seems to have all that. He is a gritty baller who can take anyone off the ball and can create for others. Newman is one of the players and situations that is the most exciting to follow.

6. Jamal Murray, G, Kentucky

Murray may have more upside and athleticism than Newman. I see Newman having a bit more spunk, but Murray can fly on tape. Playing next to Tyler Ullis should increase his ability to play off of the ball, as I believe he can be an NBA two guard. But really with his athleticism, the sky is the limit for this kid.

7. Henry Ellenson, F, Marquette

If Frank Kamisnky turned himself into a top ten pick, then so can Ellenson. As a freshman at 6-foot-10 and with somewhat ridiculous handles, the hype is growing for this mid-west baller. Ellenson has size for his age and can play in the paint, but his ability to step away and shoot, especially behind the arc, is outstandingly impressive.

8. Diamond Stone, C, Maryland

This kid appears to be your classic big man. Nice size, nice post moves and a presence on the defensive end. On a Maryland team with returning talent, his talent as a big man is one that turns Maryland into extreme contenders. His growth will be the key and will be the must-watch, but the talent around him is in place.

9. Cheik Diallo, F, Kansas

For some reason when I watch this kid, I keep thinking, “Don’t fall for the Cliff Alexander hype.” They have similar frames, but I think Diallo is more athletic than Alexander. And while they now have both dealt with eligibility issues at Kansas, I believe his will be resolved and it will lead to tournament play, which is a big learning tool and a great way to highlight your skills.

10. Ivan Rabb, F, California

I think Rabb is a player to watch mainly for his growth, but also because he could put California over the edge as a surprise break-out team. With some returning talent, and an already higher listed freshman, a lineup is starting to form at Cal. Rabb is slim, but has the length to be the team’s top rebounder and if he can round out his game in the paint, then he can become a potential lottery pick this year.