It’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season!
Check below for our list of 15 players who will become stars during the 20-21 college basketball season.
In no particular order:
Justin Moore, Villanova: This combo guard was a rock for the Wildcats last season as a freshman, averaging in double-figures (11.3 points) and shooting 39.6 percent from three-point range. Moore’s teammates — Collin Gillespie and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl — may be projected to be All-Americans this season, but he may not be far behind. Buy stock now.
Tre Mitchell, UMass: This is the most talented prospect to roll through Amherst since Marcus Camby. Mitchell averaged 22 points and 8.9 rebounds in his final 10 games of last season as a freshman while shooting an astronomical 50.8 percent from the field. Facts are facts: Mitchell could play anywhere in the country.
James Bouknight, UConn: Bouknight is a dark horse candidate to be an All-American during the 20-21 season. The wiry guard averaged 17.1 points over UConn’s final 13 games last year and may have led the Huskies to the American Athletic Conference Tournament title if it wasn’t cancelled due to COVID-19. This kid will remind people of some of the great wings who thrived in Storrs under Jim Calhoun.
Will Richardson, Oregon: Smooth, crafty, and always under control, Richardson was hiding in plain sight last year because he was playing alongside Payton Pritchard. That’s no longer the case. The 6-5 lefty uses angles well on offense and will be a primary ball handler for the Ducks as a junior. Expect Richardson to quickly emerge as one of the top players in the Pac-12.
Bryce Hamilton, UNLV: Hamilton reached double-figures in 19 straight games last season including a stretch of four games where he had 25 or more. People will tune into Mountain West Conference games next season just to watch this 6-5 guard — he’s that good. Whatever “it” is, Hamilton possesses
Ibi Watson, Dayton: What a difference a year makes. After thriving as a “sixth starter” during Dayton’s 29-2 run through last season, Watson will now seamlessly slide into Dayton’s starting lineup. Expect Anthony Grant to regularly feature Watson, who averaged 10.1 points last season in just 22.5 minutes.
Justin Champagnie, Pitt: Champagnie averaged 12.7 points and 7 rebounds last year as a true freshman and showed incredible tenacity on the backboards. Armed with good size at 6-6, the Brooklyn native had five games in ACC play with 10 or more rebounds including 17 at home against Syracuse. This kid is a stud.
Courtney Ramey, Texas: The Longhorns finished last season with five wins in their last six games and Ramey was a major reason why. The 6-3 guard averaged 13.5 points during that stretch and showed all-conference caliber potential. Ramey is in position to be Shaka Smart’s top two-way perimeter player this season on what should be his best team yet in Austin.
Joe Wieskamp, Iowa: The collective returns of both Luka Garza and Jordan Bohannon have overshadowed Wieskamp’s abilities. It won’t stay that way for long. If Iowa has the type of season that many expect, this 6-6 wing will play a major role. Wieskamp has NBA caliber size for his position and averaged 14 points and 6.1 rebounds last year as a sophomore.
Michael Devoe, Georgia Tech: If Devoe played for a blue blood program, he’d be talked about as a potential All-American. The super sharp lefty carves up opposing defenses at will and has great size for a guard at 6-5. If Georgia Tech makes the 2021 NCAA Tournament, Devoe will be regularly talked about as one of the top players in the ACC.
Aaron Wiggins, Maryland: With Jalen Smith and Anthony Cowan no longer in College Park, Wiggins has a golden opportunity to become Maryland’s go-to scorer. The 6-6 wing is built like an NBA two-guard and should be regularly featured next season by Mark Turgeon. The Terps were 14-4 a year ago in games where Wiggins scored in double figures.
Keyontae Johnson, Florida: 6-5 and skilled, Johnson is the best player in the SEC that not enough people talk about. The versatile forward led Florida in scoring and rebounding last season while shooting an efficient 54.4 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range. Johnson doesn’t get as much attention as other players in the Gators’ program, but he’s all-conference first-team caliber talent.
Trendon Watford, LSU: Watford was one of the best freshmen in the country last season and he’s in position to be an All-American as a sophomore. Ultra talented at 6-9, Watford averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds during his first year of college basketball. If he can improve his accuracy from long distance (26.9 percent), he has a chance to be the SEC Player of the Year in 20-21.
Jaden Shackelford, Alabama: Much like Ralph Macchio in My Cousin Vinny, Shackelford was in the Witness Protection Program last season in Tuscaloosa. Not nearly enough attention was given to the 6-5 guard, who averaged 15 points and 4.5 rebounds as a freshman. If Alabama is an NCAA Tournament team in 2021, Shackelford and John Petty will be viewed as one of the top wing tandems in college basketball.
Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga: Corey Kispert is a potential All-American and five-star freshman Jalen Suggs is set to become Gonzaga’s primary lead guard, but don’t forget about Ayayi. At 6-5, he has a chance to be one of the top rebounding guards in the sport after averaging 6.3 boards last season as a sophomore. This guy has size, speed, and everything else needed to be among the best nationally at his position.
