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The top 10 true juniors in the 2023-24 men's college basketball season, according to Andy Katz – NCAA.com
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With basketball season swiftly approaching, some college basketball veterans are back for another year. Here are the top 10 true juniors to watch for the upcoming men’s college basketball season.
1. Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M
Taylor is the SEC Preseason Player of the Year and he should live up to expectations and deliver a possible league title for the Aggies.Ā
PRESEASON AP POLL:Ā Kansas, Duke and Purdue lead preseason AP Top 25 poll
2. Bryce Hopkins, Providence
Hopkins came back to play for Kim English and should be one of the best in the Big East.Ā
3. Kam Jones, Marquette
Jones doesnāt get the publicity he deserves, but heās just as important to Marquetteās success as any other starter.Ā
4. DaRon Holmes II, Dayton
Holmes is the A-10ās best player and should get the Flyers back to the NCAA tournament.Ā
KATZ POSITION RANKINGS:Ā Playmakers|Ā Scoring guardsĀ |Ā Small forwardsĀ |Ā Power forwardsĀ |Ā CentersĀ
5. Tylor Perry, Kansas State
Perry led North Texas to an NIT postseason title. He will be the go-to-player for Jerome Tang.Ā
6. Julian Reese, Maryland
Kevin Willard expects Reese to be one of the best bigs in the Big Ten. If he is, then the Terps are going to be very good.Ā
7. Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga
Nembhard shouldnāt be compared to his brother Andrew ā the former Zag now with the Pacers ā since thatās not fair. But he is needed and was one of the top transfers (from Creighton to Gonzaga).Ā
KATZ TOP-10 RANKINGS: Transfers |Ā DefendersĀ | Bounce-back teams | Nonconference games
8. Zakai Zeigler, Tennessee
Zeigler is healthy and back for the Vols to lead Rick Barnesā offense and a chance to win the SEC.Ā
9. Matthew Cleveland, Miami
The transfer from Florida State to Miami should shake up the ACC. He will have a major impact on the ā23 Final Four participant.Ā
2024 MARCH MADNESS:Ā Men’s NCAA tournament schedule, dates
10. Harrison Ingram, North Carolina
Ingram needed a fresh start and is getting one with the Tar Heels after two seasons at Stanford. Heāll pair up with Armando Bacot in a highly-productive frontline.
Andy Katz is an NCAA.com correspondent. Katz worked at ESPN for 18 years as a college basketball reporter, host and anchor. He’s covered every Final Four since 1992, and the sport since 1986 as a freshman at Wisconsin. He is a former president of the United States Basketball Writers Association. Katz can also be seen covering college basketball on Big Ten Network, Fox and FS1. Follow him on Twitter at @theandykatz.
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