American Football

March Madness’ 50 best players, ranked for 2025 men’s NCAA tournament

Published on

March 18, 2025

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Let’s rank the best players in the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament

College basketball is in a state of transition, and so too is the idea of the modern college basketball star. The defining players in the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament do not fit in any particular box. They come from every corner of the world, in all shapes and sizes, each with their own idiosyncratic strengths and weaknesses. There’s never been more diversity in college hoops, and this year’s edition of March Madness proves it.

I’ve been ranking the 50 best players in the men’s NCAA tournament for years. Read my previous lists from 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024 here. This was the most challenging set of rankings yet to put together. Check out my instant bracket predictions for more March Madness coverage.

The players on our list range from true freshmen to sixth-year seniors. Most of the players on this list have transferred at least once, and more than a few have transferred twice. They come from the most remote parts of the basketball universe: Ukraine, New Zealand, Australia, Estonia, Russia, the Bahamas, the state of Maine, and many more.

March Madness is here. Meet the 50 best players in the 2025 men’s NCAA tournament.

50. Nate Johnson, G, Akron

Akron dominated the MAC all year, and Nate Johnson has been their signature star the entire way. The 6’3 junior won both MAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a gritty off-guard who can score the ball at the rim, draw fouls, and defend multiple positions. Johnson was a stud in the MAC tournament by going off for 31 points in a semifinals win over Toledo, then scoring 22 points to beat Miami (OH) and clinch the auto-bid. Akron is in the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four years under head coach John Groce, and now they’re ready to finally win a game.

49. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, G/F, UC San Diego

UC San Diego enters March Madness in their first year of postseason eligibility after making the jump from DII, and the program’s rapid rise mirrors the ascent of their star player. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones arrived in the U.S. via New Zealand when he committed to DII Hawaii–Hilo. Now in his second season with UC San Diego, Tait-Jones has emerged as the Big West Player of the Year and the conference tournament Most Outstanding Player. The 6’6 ball handler led UC San Diego in points (19.5 points per game), rebounds, assists, and blocks. The Tritons’ 15-game winning streak is the nation’s longest heading into March Madness, and they’re ready to show the world they can compete against anyone.

48. Earl Timberlake, G, Bryant

Timberlake has taken a long and winding road in college basketball that saw him enter Miami as a five-star recruit, transfer to Memphis, endure a number of injuries, and finally emerge as a low-major star at Bryant. He carried his team through the America East conference tournament, dropping 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting on Albany in the semifinals and clinching the auto-bid in the championship game against Maine with 17 points, four rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks. Timberlake has never been known as a shooter, but the 6’6, 220-pound wing has a well-rounded game and enough athletic flashes to remind you why he was once highly regarded enough to show up in our NBA mock drafts way back in 2021.

47. RJ Davis, G, North Carolina

Davis came back to UNC for his super-senior year, and learned life as the true primary option is a lot more difficult when you don’t have Armando Bacot to fall back on. The 6-foot guard saw both his numbers and efficiency drop across the board this season, but he’s still clearly the best offensive player on the Tar Heels. Davis showed he can still takeover a game when he drilled 5-of-6 three-pointers against Wake Forest in the ACC tournament. The Heels need him to get hot and stay hot to justify their inclusion in the bracket.

46. Henri Veesaar, C, Arizona

Henri Veesaar rode the bench in his first year at Arizona after coming to the U.S. from Estonia. He redshirted his sophomore year. Veesaar wasn’t sure what his role would look like in his third year of college ball, but after teammate Motiejus Krivas went down with a season-ending injury, the big man was thrust into a starring role and never looked back. The mobile 7-footer has been hammering dunks at the rim all year as a roll man and as a cutter, giving Arizona an ace play-finisher in the halfcourt. Veesaar has been a worthy defensive anchor, too, with a nearly seven percent block rate. There are also real flashes of shooting touch from mid-range and beyond the three-point line, giving him a shot at an NBA future. For now, Arizona is thrilled to reap the rewards of his development.

45. Anthony Robinson II, G, Missouri

Robinson was nowhere to be found on the recruiting rankings when he committed to Missouri. After just two years, he’s morphed into one of the best guards in the SEC and someone who could garner future NBA consideration. Robinson plays bigger than his listed size of 6’3 thanks to his 6’7 wingspan that has helped him become a menace at forcing turnovers. His 5.1 percent steal rate ranks top-10 in the country. He’s a much improved if still reticent shooter, canning 41 percent of his threes on low volume this year. No one expected Mizzou to do much this season after being picked 13th in the SEC preseason poll, but instead they’ve been in the AP top-25 for most of the year. The Tigers have Robinson’s development to thank.

44. Asa Newell, F, Georgia

Newell looks like an NBA lottery pick when he walks into the gym. The Georgia freshman has aced the transition to college by being a monster rim finisher, an improved three-point shooter, and an athletic menace who can make energy plays all over the floor. He can be something of a black hole on offense with underdeveloped passing vision, but it’s hard to find a better play-finisher among the freshman class outside of his old high school teammate playing for Duke who you might find later in this list.

43. Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

Fears didn’t turn 18 years old until the middle of Oct., making him the second youngest player on this list. His youth didn’t stop Oklahoma from putting the ball in his hands and letting him run the show around a veteran roster. Fears posted a sky-high usage rate for a freshman guard and had some ups-and-downs that come with it, but the Sooners will hope being thrown into the SEC gauntlet pays off in March. The freshman guard has special creation ability with an advanced handle and slippery driving ability going to the rim. His three-point shot comes and goes, but his ability to get to the foul line generates consistent offense.

42. Grant Nelson, F, Alabama

Nelson is one of the best success stories of the transfer portal, going from a low-major star in the Summit League at North Dakota State to a critical starter for Alabama’s national title contender. He started every game on the way to the Final Four for the Crimson Tide last season, and has again found ways to fit in and elevate his game on an even deeper roster this year. Nelson can play all over the floor at 6’11, firing away from three (even if he’s not always accurate) while occasionally flashing some fun ball handling moves, but it’s his toughness inside that has impressed most against the best competition. Nelson dunked on Donovan Clingan in the Final Four last year, and threw down another classic poster against Auburn in the regular season finale this year. His ability to play either front court spot helps unlock the lineup versatility that makes Alabama so tough to deal with.

41. Emanuel Sharp, G, Houston

Sharp was an overlooked three-star recruit coming out of the Tampa Bay area, but he’s been a hand-in-glove fit in Kelvin Sampson’s system since arriving at Houston. Sharp entered the Cougars’ starting lineup as a sophomore, and he’s taken another leap this season as a junior, becoming one of the most efficient players in the sport. Sharp knocks down nearly 43 percent of three-pointers and provides key floor spacing for his teammates. He’s also a critical member of Houston’s elite defense that ranks No. 2 in the country. Sharp is in the top-5 of BPM in the country by being a star in his role. Teammates Milos Uzan and Jojo Tugler earned consideration for Houston’s second pick on this list as well.

40. Tahaad Pettiford, G, Auburn

Auburn is so deep this year that there were a number of options to choose for their second player on this list. Dylan Cardwell is one of the best interior defenders in the country, Chad Baker-Mazara is an elite 3-and-D wing, but the freshman Pettiford feels like the key to their national championship hopes. The 6’1 lefty guard is a dangerous pull-up shooter who can provide instant offense off the dribble. It feels like he’s playing his best ball late in the season, giving the Tigers a perimeter shot creation complement to Johni Broome’s bruising interior game. The Tigers play team basketball in the truest sense of the word, but they need Pettiford to keep emerging as a young star.

39. Trey Kaufman-Renn, C, Purdue

It would be impossible for anyone to fill the Zach Edey-sized hole left at Purdue this season, but Kaufman-Renn has done an admirable job trying. After playing a supporting role on the Boilermakers’ national runner-up last season, Kaufman-Renn has grown into a high-usage post presence providing interior scoring in the absence of Edey. The 6’9 junior combines impressive strength with soft touch in the paint, posting a fantastic 62.8 true shooting percentage. Kaufman-Renn is also a gifted playmaker in the high-post, hitting Purdue’s team of shooters and cutters with passes that keep defenses honest. The Indiana native is offering an old school development story of staying at one school and growing into a large role for a great team over time.

38. Wade Taylor IV, G, Texas A&M

Wade Taylor IV has carried a huge usage load during his four years at Texas A&M, and this year it finally feels like he has some real help. Taylor has become more efficient in his senior season as the Aggies made a leap in the SEC thanks to an elite defense that ranks top-10 in the country. Taylor is still one of the better playmakers and shot creators among SEC guards, but getting a player like Zhuric Phelps to transfer in from SMU has made his life a little easier. Texas A&M is No. 1 in the country at offensive rebounding, and Taylor is still great at getting shots up that can turn into putbacks. The Aggies rarely look pretty on offense, but it’s a formula that works for them.

37. Danny Wolf, F, Michigan

Wolf is one of the most unique players in the sport as a 7-foot point guard orchestrating Michigan’s offense all season. Following a productive year at Yale, Wolf transferred to Michigan and proved his game could translate to one of the toughest conferences in the country. Wolf can get sloppy with the ball at times with an astronomical turnover rate, but his combination of jumbo playmaking, solid defense, and steady three-point stroke has made him a college star. The supersized pick-and-roll between Wolf and teammate Vlad Goldin is one of the most fun actions in the country this year.

36. Amari Williams, C, Kentucky

Mark Pope had to replace Kentucky’s entire roster after inheriting the program from John Calipari, and luring Amari Williams from Drexel might have been his best move. The powerful 6’10 center is one of the best playmaking bigs in America, and his passing keys so many of Kentucky’s off-ball actions in the halfcourt. His 24 percent assist rate is a number usually reserved for a guard, and he does so much more than that. Williams is a great rebounder, a stout rim protector, and a skilled interior scorer.

35. Ian Schieffelin, F, Clemson

Ian Schieffelin never stops working. The 6’8 forward is one of the craftiest paint scorers in the country, using old school post moves to create space and finish inside. Schieffelin is a monster on the boards as well, ranking top-5 in the country in rebounds per game, and using his grit on the offensive glass to land so many second chance scoring plays for the Tigers. Did we mention he’s a solid passer, too? Clemson won’t sneak up on anyone this year after their Elite Eight run last season, and Schieffelin’s determined offensive game is a big part of what makes the Tigers go.

34. Augustas Marciulionis, G, Saint Mary’s

The son of former Golden State Warriors guard Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Augustas Marčiulionis has carved out a great career for himself during his four years at Saint Mary’s. The 6’4 Lithuanian guard is the two-time WCC Player of the Year thanks to his tremendous playmaking vision, his improved mid-range scoring punch, and the fact that he helped carry the Gaels to the top of the conference over Gonzaga. Marčiulionis is an attacking guard who can get downhill and kick out to shooters. Saint Mary’s has made the tournament in all four years of his career, but they haven’t advanced out of the first weekend yet. This might be the year.

33. Max Shulga, G, VCU

Shulga came to the United States from Ukraine, and spent his first three years of college playing for Utah State. When VCU hired Aggies coach Ryan Odom, Shulga followed him, and became Atlantic-10 Player of the Year this season. The 6’5 guard lacks above-the-rim bounce, but uses his strength to get to his spots and kick out the ball to teammates when he doesn’t have a scoring opportunity himself. Shulga can stroke threes as a spot-up shooter, and has a knack for getting to the foul line as a ball handler. VCU was the best team in a tough A-10 conference all year, and Shulga has been their engine.

32. Richie Saunders, G, BYU

Saunders moved into the starting lineup in his third season at BYU, and immediately took a huge leap in production. The 6’5 off-guard is one of the deadliest shooters in the country, combining a quick trigger with NBA range and one of the most accurate deep balls (43.4 percent) in the country. The Cougars’ whirling offense ranks top-10 in the country in large part thanks to Saunders’ gravity on the perimeter. Saunders’ great-grandpa reportedly invented tater-tots (!), and he’s writing his own legacy at BYU.

31. Chaz Lanier, G, Tennessee

Rick Barnes discovered a winning formula at Tennessee last year by keeping his elite defensive core in place and going out to the transfer portal to find a scorer. While Chaz Lanier isn’t as dynamic as Dalton Knecht (who was No. 2 on this list a year ago), he has been a knockdown shooter and critical go-to scorer while surrounded by the country’s No. 1 defense. The North Florida transfer doesn’t create much with the ball in his hands, but he can finish plays from the outside with the best of them. Lanier is capable rim finisher, a really good mid-range shooter, and a deadly spot-up threat from three. Barnes is now 70 years old, and if he’s ever getting back to another Final Four, he needs Lanier to stay red hot in March.

30. Donovan Dent, G, New Mexico

Donovan Dent could have pursued bigger opportunities in the transfer portal after he helped lead New Mexico to the NCAA tournament a year ago, but he chose to stick with head coach Richard Pitino and the Lobos. New Mexico is every bit as good as they were last year with Dent leading a breakneck offense that ranks among the country’s leaders in tempo. Dent has masterfully carried a big creation burden, mixing in speedy drives to the rim with a clutch mid-range game, and more confidence in his three-point shooting. It’s rare to see a mid-major star stick with his program in the NIL era, but Dent has done that, and it’s put the Lobos back in the field of 68.

29. Eric Dailey, F, UCLA

Dailey left a pitiful Oklahoma State team after his freshman year and found a great home at UCLA as a sophomore. The 6’8 forward is a powerful inside scorer who can also step out and knockdown a three. Dailey is finishing better than 71 percent of his shots at the rim, a fantastic number, and he’s making 41 percent of his threes. He uses his long-and-strong frame on the defensive end, too, where he’s contributed to making UCLA one of the country’s better teams at forcing turnovers. It would be fascinating to see what Dailey could do with more usage after some intriguing shot-creation flashes and efficient production, but he’s played his role very well for the Bruins.

28. Kon Knueppel, G, Duke

Cooper Flagg rightfully gets all the attention for Duke, but the Blue Devils have three other awesome freshmen, too. Knueppel has emerged as a potential lottery pick himself for his poised halfcourt creation and knockdown shooting ability. The thick 6’7 wing can handle the ball like a guard and stroke shots from deep even if he’s not the fleetest of foot. He’ll have to be a critical secondary scorer and playmaker behind Flagg if Duke is realize its dreams of winning the national title.

27. Chucky Hepburn, G, Louisville

Hepburn was a solid player for three years at Wisconsin, but few could have seen his star turn coming after he transferred to Louisville over the summer. The 6’2 guard leads the Cardinals in points, assists, and steals this year, helping resuscitate the program in Pat Kelsey’s first season after the disastrous Kenny Payne era. Hepburn’s shot creation has carried Louisville’s offense from the jump, blending efficient scoring (61 percent true shooting) with very good playmaking (32 percent assist rate). He’s also become a demon on the defensive end by leading the ACC in steals. The Cards have been one of the feel-good stories of the season, and Hepburn is a big reason why.

26. Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan

The key pieces from Dusty May’s 2023 Final Four team at Florida Atlantic are still making contributions all over the country, but he brought his biggest player along with him when he was hired by Michigan. Goldin is a bruising 7’1 center with soft touch who has been hammering Big Ten offenses all season. The pick-and-roll between 7-foot ball handler Danny Wolf and Goldin is a sight to behold, with Goldin establishing himself as one of the country’s best interior finishes with an enormous 68 true shooting percentage. Michigan’s turnovers problems haven’t really been solved this season, but their size and interior scoring gives them a chance to hang in May’s first season.

25. Alex Condon, C, Florida

Condon’s breakout sophomore season has helped mint Florida as one of the national championship favorites entering the NCAA tournament. The 6’11 Australian is one of the most well-rounded big men in the country: he’s a monster on putbacks on the offensive glass, he’s comfortable stepping out and hitting a three, and he can make plays as a passer. Condon runs the floor extremely well for someone his size, and it makes Florida a scary team in transition. He’s the most talented offensive player among the Gators’ stable of bigs, and his rim protection provides the backbone of a very good defensive unit. Condon has been so good lately that he’s starting to get some real NBA buzz. He could make himself a lot of money with a good run through the bracket.

24. Ryan Nembhard, G, Gonzaga

It’s easy to take Ryan Nembhard for granted after such steady production over his fantastic four-year college career. As a senior with Gonzaga, Nembhard is the orchestrator of a top-10 offense in the country, blending incredible playmaking ability (41 percent assist rate) with reliable outside shooting. He isn’t quite as big or athletic as his older brother Andrew, a guard for the Indiana Pacers, but there are few college point guards that have earned this much trust with the ball in their hands. Gonzaga hasn’t lived up to their preseason hype this season, but they seem to be peaking at the right time after winning the WCC conference tournament. With Nembhard at the controls, another tournament run for the Zags can’t be ruled out.

23. Alex Karaban, F, UConn

Karaban has gotten a crash course in what it’s like to go from role player to star in his junior year. The 6’7 forward played a critical role on UConn’s back-to-back national championship teams, but he was never expected to carry the load with so many NBA caliber players around him. This year, Karaban has been the first name on the scouting report for opposing teams, and it’s made him less efficient offensively than he’s been in the past. That’s okay: Dan Hurley and his elite coaching staff know how to scheme up looks for their top players when it matters, and Karaban is as battle-tested as anyone in the country in big games. The Huskies probably won’t be the first team to three-peat since John Wooden’s UCLA days, but no one wants to see them in the bracket with Karaban in tow.

22. Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

The NIL has opened up a pathway to get talented European prospects on college campuses, and Kasparas Jakucionis is a premium example. Already a pro for Barcelona, Jakucionis came over to Illinois this year and immediately emerged as both the best player on the team and a likely NBA lottery pick. The 6’5 guard has brilliant playmaking vision and a deadly step-back jumper — especially when a big switches onto him. He’s been plagued by turnover problems at times, but his ability to hit the floor running for an Illini team that lost almost everyone from last year’s Elite Eight squad has kept the program afloat. Illinois has been maddeningly inconsistent this year, but Jakucionis’ shot-making and playmaking offer hope for another example March run.

21. Zakai Zeigler, G, Tennessee

Zeigler has been the heart-and-soul of a golden era of Tennessee basketball under Rick Barnes. The 5’9 point guard is the head of the snake for the nation’s No. 1 defense, sticking to opposing ball handlers like a gnat and refusing to give them an inch to breathe. The fifth-year senior is also one of the country’s best playmakers with a blistering 41 percent assist rate that has been around top-five in DI all year. Opposing defenses might dare Zeigler to shoot, but he’s usually good for a couple triples per game. The Vols have still never been the Final Four, and it would be fitting if Zeigler helped them get there in his final year of eligibility.

20. Hunter Dickinson, C, Kansas

The college basketball world still has one more NCAA tournament run before it’s finally done with Hunter Dickinson. Kansas started the year at No. 1 in the preseason polls with a team built around the super senior’s skilled interior scoring. The Jayhawks have fallen way short of those expectations in a rare down year for Bill Self, but Dickinson has still put up big numbers as the fulcrum of the offense. He’s been so productive for so long that he’s flirting with scoring more career points than Larry Bird and Tyler Hansbrough. Kansas has struggled to make the pieces around him fit all year, but the 7’1 center has one more chance to show the sport how much of a headache he’s been.

19. Nate Bittle, C, Oregon

Bittle is one of the best two-way bigs in the country. The 7-foot senior center anchored Oregon on the defensive end with a monstrous 9 percent block rate that ranked top-30 in America. Offensively, Bittle continued to be a dependable inside scorer and offensive rebounder while also flushing out his shooting range. He made more three-pointers this season than he did the first three years of his career combine. Oregon’s debut season in the Big Ten was a success with non-conference wins over Alabama and Texas A&M plus a winning record in conference. Bittle made them go on both ends.

18. Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State

Iowa State has been very good almost every year under head coach T.J. Otzelberger, and it found another gem by getting Jefferson to transfer in from Saint Mary’s. The bruising 6’8 big man has taken a clear step forward in his development despite jumping to a much more difficult conference in the Big 12. Jefferson uses his strength to create space on the block, and has soft touch as an interior finisher. He’s been an awesome passer for the Cyclones, zipping dimes to cutters for easy buckets. He’s also been an opportunistic defender jumping the passing lanes to get ISU transition opportunities going the other way. The Cyclones are a balanced team without a true star, but Jefferson has started to feel like their most important player.

17. Derik Queen, C, Maryland

It’s hard to wrap your head around all the talent on Montverde Academy last season, with star freshmen like Cooper Flagg (Duke), Liam McNeeley (UConn), Rob Wright (Baylor), and Derik Queen scattered around the country. Queen has been an instant impact offensive player in every sense as a beefy 6’10 big man with a rare ability to create with the ball in his hands. He doesn’t shoot threes and his defense is limited, but few big man can take a defender off the dribble and give them buckets the way Queen can. Maryland enters March with a great starting lineup and no depth. If it’s going to make a run, Queen needs to continue to put the team on his wide shoulders in the most important part of the year.

16. VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor

Edgecombe jumps off the screen from the second you watch him with nuclear athleticism that he leverages for game-breaking plays at both ends of the floor. The Baylor guard started his college career by detonating Mark Few’s poor son with a poster dunk in his debut. By the regular season finale, he was going viral for LeBron-like chasedown blocks. Edgecombe has grown into the Bears’ leading man just in time for their March run, with his improved three-point shooter and excellent defensive playmaking taking centerstage. He’ll be a top-5 NBA draft pick this June, and it’s easy to see why.

15. L.J. Cryer, G, Houston

Cryer was at the end of the bench for Baylor’s incredible 2021 national championship team as a true freshman. As a fifth-year senior, he’s the team leader for a Houston squad that enters the bracket with a No. 1 seed longing for its own natty run. The Cougars have always forged their identity on defense and toughness, but Cryer helps make their offense go. The 6’1 guard is ripping 43 percent of his three-pointers and 91 percent of his free throws while doing a good job taking care of the ball. Kelvin Sampson’s team of dawgs will handle the dirty work, but it’s on Cryer to splash enough shots to get Houston over the finish line.

14. Mark Sears, G, Alabama

Sears took Alabama to the Final Four for the first time in program history a year ago, then bypassed mild NBA interest to try to do it again this year. While Sears has taken a small step back in his super-senior year, he seems to be playing his best ball at the right time, and it has Alabama earmarked as one of the favorites to win the national championship. Head coach Nate Oats has an incredibly deep roster full of offensive weapons, but there’s no question that Sears is the straw that stirs the drink. After keeping his team humming against one of the toughest conference schedules you will ever see, Sears is battle tested and ready for March. The Crimson Tide will go as far as he takes them, and there’s reason to believe that could be all the way.

13. Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State down

Jase Richardson didn’t make his first start or play more than 25 minutes in a game until the second week of February. Since then, he’s become Michigan State’s best player and driving force behind a Big Ten championship. The son of MSU legend Jason Richardson, the freshman guard is a deadeye shooter, a mistake-free ball handler, and a nimble finisher around the rim. Head coach Tom Izzo always has his team peaking at he right time, and it feels like he’s done it again by forcing Richardson into the spotlight in time for March.

12. JT Toppin, C, Texas Tech

Toppin parlayed his breakout freshman season at New Mexico into a starring role for Texas Tech this year, where he’s proven his game translates against much better competition. The long and bouncy 6’9 big man is swatting shots, aggressively attacking the glass, and providing consistent scoring punch for the Red Raiders. It’s rare to find a big man who can get off the floor so effortlessly as a leaper, and it’s made Toppin a terror on putbacks and as a roaming rim protector. Any team in the country would love to have his mix of size, energy, and bounce, and it’s helped make Texas Tech a No. 3 seed entering the field of 68.

11. Bennett Stirtz, G, Drake

Stirtz spent his first two seasons at DII Northwest Missouri State. When Drake hired their head coach Ben McCollum following Darren DeVries departure for West Virginia, he brought along his point guard. All Stirtz has done in his first season in DI is turn into the biggest mid-major star in the country, with a skill set so impressive that it should earn NBA looks. The 6’4 guard does it all for the Bulldogs, self-creating scoring opportunities in the halfcourt, generating steals defensively, and getting better and better with his three-point stroke. There’s nothing sneaky about his athleticism with more dunks this year than future NBA No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper. Drake won 30 games this year thanks to Stirtz’s brilliance, and they might just be getting started.

10. RJ Luis Jr., F, St. John’s

St. John’s is reborn under Rick Pitino, and R.J. Luis Jr. embodies their physical, in-your-face mentality. Luis has taken a star-leap in his junior year as a 6’7 athletic terror on the wing who can switch onto any position, force takeaways, and put on a show above the rim. Pitino’s best teams have always won with defense, and this Red Storm group is no different. Luis is their most versatile defender as someone who can blow up a ball screen or pick off a pass like a free safety and go the other way for a score. Like most of his teammates, Luis struggles to shoot from the outside, but he has no problem overpowering opponents at the rim. Can St. John’s make a Final Four run without reliable shooters? Just know they’re going to fight like hell to make it happen.

9. PJ Haggerty, G, Memphis

Penny Hardaway and Memphis struck gold by luring Haggerty away from their AAC foe Tulsa for his redshirt sophomore year. The 6’3 guard has to be on any short list for the most impactful transfers in the country this year. His 21.2 points per game is top-5 among all DI players. Haggerty is a true three-level scorer: he gets to the rim (and the foul line) with ease, he has a deep mid-range bag, and he’s a 41 percent three-point shooter this season. Haggerty will compete on the defensive end, too, forcing steals and getting his team out in transition. The Memphis guard is a walking bucket, and he’s ready to put on a show in March.

8. Kam Jones, G, Marquette

Kam Jones spent the last two years playing in the shadows of Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro. With both off to the NBA, Jones becoming the leading man for Marquette, and he’s delivered. The senior guard has taken a huge step as a playmaker, going from a 16.7 percent assist rate last season to 39.5 percent this year. He’s also one of the country’s better rim attackers, finishing his shots at the basket at a 64 percent clip. While his three-point shot has fallen off a bit with a bigger workload, Jones’ development as a facilitator while still carrying a big scoring burden is the type of evolution every coach hopes for.

7. Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton

Keeping an elite 7’1 center in school for five years used to sound an impossible dream for a college program, but somehow Creighton pulled it off with Ryan Kalkbrenner. The big man will exit school after this March run as a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time First-Team All-Big East center. Just about the only thing missing from his resume is a Final Four trip after the Bluejays fell painfully close in a last second loss to San Diego State in the Elite Eight in 2023. This isn’t Creighton’s best chance to make a deep run, but Kalkbrenner is certainly going out on top: he’s one of the 10 most efficient scorers in the country with a 69.4 true shooting percentage while also being an elite shot blocker. Kalkbrenner is a true living legend for Creighton, and he’s got one more NCAA tournament run left in him.

6. Braden Smith, G, Purdue

Losing Zach Edey — arguably the greatest college basketball player of the last 40 years — could have been the beginning of the end for Purdue’s golden era. Instead, Braden Smith emerged into a certified superstar himself during his junior season, giving the Boilermakers another First-Team All-American-caliber player. Smith is the smallest player on the floor at all times, but he’s always in complete control of the game. The point guard is a brilliant pick-and-roll manipulator, an improved shot creator, and a three-point sniper who can’t be left open. Smith has pulled off the rare fear of increasing his usage while raising his efficiency and cutting back on his turnovers this season, and he has Purdue dreaming of making another deep run through the bracket.

5. John Tonje, G, Wisconsin

Is there a better story in college hoops this year than Tonje? After a steady four-year career at Colorado State, Tonje transferred to Missouri, where he suffered a season-ending foot injury after only eight games. He was granted a sixth year of eligibility, bolted for a Wisconsin team decimated by transfers, and quickly turned into one of the very best scoring guards in the country. Tonje has been a master bucker-getter this season, averaging 19 points on an array of acrobatic finishes at the rim to go along with solid spot-up three-point shooting. He’s taken the Badgers with him on his ascent: after being picked to finish 12th in the Big Ten entering the season, Wisconsin now feels like a sneaky team to make a deep run.

4. Nique Clifford, F, Colorado State

Nique Clifford took a major leap in his fourth season of college basketball after he transferred from Colorado to Colorado State, emerging as an elite defensive wing who showed serious signs of growth on the offensive end. Clifford tested the NBA draft waters but decided to return to the Rams for his super-senior year, and it proved to be a brilliant decision. Clifford exploded as a scorer this season who can overwhelm defenders with his length and power going to the rim while also stroking three-pointers at a nearly 40 percent clip. Clifford absolutely dominated the Mountain West tournament to bring home the auto-bid for the Rams, averaging 25 points per game while making plays for teammates as a passer, crashing the glass, and defending at a high-level. Clifford may be a little older than a typical first-round draft pick at age-23, but his skill set has NBA written all over it.

3. Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida

Florida has a chance to win the national championship for the first time since Billy Donovan was on campus, and having one of the best guards in the country in Walter Clayton is a big reason why. The Gators knocked off elite SEC opponents like Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee this season thanks to Clayton’s awesome shot-making and ability to operate in ball screens. Clayton’s background as a former big-time football recruit shows up on the defensive end, where he’s strong at the point of attack and can force takeaways with his quick hands. After two years at Iona under Rick Pitino, Clayton has proven he can excel against the best of college basketball, and the Gators are hunting another title because of it.

2. Johni Broome, F/C, Auburn

Broome has a case as one of the best up transfers in college basketball history. After two great years at Moorehead State, he transferred to Auburn, where he’s spent three seasons helping do the unthinkable by elevating Auburn into a basketball school and turning himself into arguably the best player in the country. The 6’9, 240-pound big man has such a versatile skill set: he can doll out punishment as a post scorer, set up teammates with his high-post passing, provide elite rim protection as a shot blocker, and clean the glass as a rebounder. Broome’s three-point shot regressed some this year, but it didn’t matter as he served as the fulcrum for perhaps the best team in the country. This is one of the great developmental stories of modern college basketball, and he wants to write the perfect closing chapter to his career in March Madness.

1. Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

There’s no greater show of force in sports than dominating older competition at a young age, and Cooper Flagg has done it about as well as anyone ever has at Duke. Flagg spent just three years in high school and was only 17 years old for half of his freshman year, but he’s still been the best player in the sport this season. The future No. 1 NBA draft pick has tremendous versatility at both ends of the floor. At 6’9 with a 7-foot wingspan and explosive athleticism, Flagg can overpower opponents on his way to the rim offensively while locking down entire sections of the floor on defense. He’s leveled up quickly as a shot-creator, giving Duke an oversized wing who can make advanced reads as a passer when he’s not rolling to the rim. Flagg has also been incredible as a shooter since turning 18 years old on Dec. 21: he’s hit 45 percent of his threes, and is no longer someone defenses can dare to shoot. Flagg should be a senior in high school right now; instead, he’s the best player in the NCAA tournament. Let’s just hope he’s healthy for it. It’s possible the United States hasn’t produced a basketball prospect this gifted since LeBron James. This is only the start of an amazing career for Flagg, but the opening chapter has been thrilling.