Top 10 men's college basketball players who could make an impact in 2024 season
The 2024–25 college basketball season remains a few months away as teams prepare their rosters for another year of competitive college hoops action. There are many players returning for another season or beginning their first year with a program that could have a significant impact on their team's success.
As players begin to settle into their teams for the upcoming season, here's a look at the top 10 players in men's college basketball who could make an impact this upcoming season.
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Top 10 men's college basketball players who could make an impact in 2024
#10 Eric Dixon, Villanova
Villanova forward Eric Dixon will return for his fifth season of eligibility after earning All-Big East honors for the second consecutive season.
Dixon averaged a career high 16.6 points per game last season with 6.5 rebounds. The redshirt senior has been one of the most consistently durable players in college basketball, having not missed a game over the last three seasons.
#9 J'Wan Roberts, Houston
Houston had an outstanding season in 2023, going 32-5 and finishing with the best record in a loaded Big 12 Conference. The Cougars will have All-Big 12 forward J'Wan Roberts returning for the 2024 college basketball season.
Roberts averaged 9.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in his fourth season with the Cougars, helping lead them to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
#8 Vladislav Goldin, Michigan
After initially going entering the NBA Draft process following four seasons of college basketball, Goldin withdrew from the draft and instead opted to transfer to Michigan. Goldin will follow his coach at FAU, Dusty May, to Michigan after earning All-AAC honors last season.
#7 RJ Davis, North Carolina
North Carolina guard RJ Davis was one of the top scorers in college basketball last season, averaging 21.2 points per game.
The All-American has decided to return to Chapel Hill for his fifth and final season. Davis was the ACC Player of the Year last season and will be a frontrunner for the Player of the Year award ahead of the 2024 season.
#6 Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton
Three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner will be back at Creighton for his fifth season with the team after withdrawing from the 2024 NBA Draft.
Kalkbrenner is an athletic rim protector who's also efficient on offense, ranking first in the Big East in blocks and field goal percentage last season.
#5 Oumar Ballo, Indiana
Oumar Ballo was a crucial transfer portal pickup for Indiana with the loss of Kel'el Ware to the 2024 NBA Draft.
Ballo will give Indiana a great anchor down low who can score the basketball and protect the rim. He's a two-time All-Pac-12 with the Arizona Wildcats and averaged a double-double last season with 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.
#4 Kameron Jones, Marquette
Kam Jones returns to Marquette for his third season of college basketball after leading the team in scoring with 17.2 points per game last season. His shooting continues to improve, as he shot over 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range.
#3 Johni Broome, Auburn
Forward Johni Broome will return to Auburn in 2024 as one of the top two-way players in college basketball. At six-10, Broome's size and athleticism give him a unique combination that is extremely difficult to stop.
He spent his first two seasons at Morehead State before transferring to Auburn in 2022. He averaged a team-high 16.5 points while also leading the SEC in defensive rebounds and blocks last season.
#2 Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Hunter Dickinson will be returning to college basketball in 2024 as one of the top players in the country.
Although it was somewhat of a lackluster season for the Jayhawks in 2023, Dickinson still played well. The two-time consensus All-American averaged 17.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in his first season at Kansas following three seasons at Michigan.
#1 Mark Sears, Alabama
Mark Sears led the lethal top-ranked Alabama offense last season, averaging 21.5 points per game.
Sears will be back to college basketball for his fifth season in 2024. The Ohio transfer shone last season and was instrumental in the Crimson Tide's NCAA Tournament run to the Final Four.
Sears' return to the program in 2024 makes him one of the favorites to win Player of the Year ahead of the upcoming season.
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Which player do you think will have the biggest impact for their program in 2024? Let's know your predictions in the comment section:
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