NCAA Basketball

Top 25 Players Entering the 2014-15 College Basketball Season

Top 25 Players Entering 2014-15 College Basketball Season

Kentucky Basketball
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Although there are plenty of great talents who took their well, talents, to the next level in the offseason, there are still plenty of stars who returned. There are also plenty of new faces. With that in mind, this list will not feature any freshmen. Let the young guys prove their worth before actually landing on a list such as this one.

Without further ado, we present the top 25 players entering the 2014-15 college basketball season.

25. Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

Jerian Grant, Notre Dame
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

25. Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

Jerian Grant, Notre Dame
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 19 PPG, 6.2 APG

Although Jerian Grant clearly had some great stats last season, he missed a huge chunk of time due to violations. He is back on the team, and he will easily be a top player in the uber-talented ACC.

24. Joseph Young, Oregon

Joseph Young, Oregon
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

24. Joseph Young, Oregon

Joseph Young, Oregon
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 18.9 PPG, 41.5 3P%

The Oregon Ducks took some major hits over the offseason, but Joseph Young will be back. Believe it or not, he could be the best scorer in the conference.

23. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky

Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

23. Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky

Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 6.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.9 BPG

Willie Cauley-Stein is more than likely not even the best player on the Wildcats, but he is still one of the best players in college basketball, if that makes sense. Who knows how much playing time he will receive this year, but he is a key player on the team regardless. He would be a star if he was on any other team, which is the case with most Kentucky players for 2014-15.

22. Marcus Foster, Kansas State

Marcus Foster, Kansas State
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

22. Marcus Foster, Kansas State

Marcus Foster, Kansas State
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 15.5 PPG, 39.5 3P%

Marcus Foster was one of the best freshman in the country last season, yet he did not receive the attention he deserved. In Year 2, he will get plenty of hype, and also has the talent to be a top 10 player.

21. Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State

Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

21. Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State

Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG

Marcus Smart got a bunch of attention last season, but with him and Markel Brown gone, expect Nash's numbers to go way up.

20. Treveon Graham, VCU

Treveon Graham, VCU
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

20. Treveon Graham, VCU

Treveon Graham, VCU
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 15.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG

Treveon Graham could be one of the most underrated players entering the 2014-15 college basketball season. He will show his worth by leading his team to victory all season long, which will eventually result in VCU making the field of 68.

19. Brandon Ashley, Arizona

Brandon Ashley, Arizona
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

19. Brandon Ashley, Arizona

Brandon Ashley, Arizona
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG

Arizona may lose a couple of stars, but Brandon Ashley is coming off a solid season (and is healthy), and should become one of the new stars of the team in 2014-15.

18. Andrew Harrison, Kentucky

Andrew Harrison, Kentucky
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

18. Andrew Harrison, Kentucky

Andrew Harrison, Kentucky
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 10.9 PPG, 4.0 APG

Andrew Harrison is the starting point guard for the Kentucky Wildcats. Him and his brother had their struggles last season, but the two are as talented as they come.

17. Terran Petteway, Nebraska

Terran Petteway, Nebraska
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

17. Terran Petteway, Nebraska

Terran Petteway, Nebraska
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 18.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG

Terran Petteway was probably the most underrated player in the Big 10 last year. After all, he led the conference in scoring, and didn't get near as much buzz as other players. We all see you now, Mr. Petteway.

16. Caris LeVert, Michigan

Caris LeVert, Michigan
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

16. Caris LeVert, Michigan

Caris LeVert, Michigan
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 12.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG

Caris LeVert has a ridiculous amount of talent. With players like Nik Stauskas and Mitch McGary gone, we are going to see how great LeVert really is in the 2014-15 season.

15. Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga

Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga
Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

15. Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga

Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga
Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 41.2 3P%

A healthy Kevin Pangos could mean a very dangerous Gonzaga Bulldogs team this season. Regardless, fans can expect to hear Pangos' name all year long.

14. Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia

Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

14. Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia

Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 12.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG

Malcolm Brogdon helped lead the Virginia Cavaliers to a No. 1 seed in the 2014 NCAA tournament. He is back, which could mean bad news for the rest of the ACC.

13. Tyler Haws, BYU

Tyler Haws, BYU
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

13. Tyler Haws, BYU

Tyler Haws, BYU
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 23.2 PPG, 40.4 3P%

Tyler Haws will more than likely lead the nation in scoring this season -- well, maybe. At the very least, we can expect another 20-plus points per game season out of him.

12. Ryan Boatright, Connecticut

Ryan Boatright, Connecticut
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

12. Ryan Boatright, Connecticut

Ryan Boatright, Connecticut
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 12.1 PPG, 3.4 APG

Ryan Boatright was a big reason why the Connecticut Huskies won the NCAA tournament last season. Sure, Shabazz Napier got a bunch of credit, but the team doesn't win it all without Boatright. Look for him to take on an even bigger role in 2014-15, and for his numbers to go up as a result.

11. Juwan Staten, West Virginia

Juwan Staten, West Virginia
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

11. Juwan Staten, West Virginia

Juwan Staten, West Virginia
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 18.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.8 APG

As you can see, Juwan Staten put up some very impressive numbers last season. With more of a spotlight on him, and similar numbers in 2014-15, it may not be too much of a stretch to say he will contend for the Naismith.

10. Branden Dawson, Michigan State

Branden Dawson, Michigan State
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

10. Branden Dawson, Michigan State

Branden Dawson, Michigan State
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG

Michigan State went through some rough patches last season (Dawson missed a good chunk of time as well), but the team could really surprise this year if Dawson has a big year, which he will.

9. Ron Baker, Wichita State

Ron Baker, Wichita State
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

9. Ron Baker, Wichita State

Ron Baker, Wichita State
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 13.1 PPG, 3.1 APG

Ron Baker will make opposing teams pay if left open. Regardless, big things should be expected out of him, his team and his teammate ahead of him on this list.

8. Yogi Ferrell, Indiana

Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

8. Yogi Ferrell, Indiana

Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 17.3 PPG, 40 3P%

Yogi Ferrell may have taken a backseat on the Cody Zeller-led team a couple of seasons ago, but his production skyrocketed in 2013-14, and he should be a big reason why Indiana makes the Big Dance this year, assuming it does.

7. Fred VanVleet, Wichita State

Fred VanVleet, Wichita State
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

7. Fred VanVleet, Wichita State

Fred VanVleet, Wichita State
Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 5.4 APG

Believe it or not, Fred VanVleet could be the best point guard in America. After all, he is a preseason All-American.

6. Sam Dekker, Wisconsin

Sam Dekker, Wisconsin
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

6. Sam Dekker, Wisconsin

Sam Dekker, Wisconsin
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 12.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG

Although Sam Dekker's three-point shooting percentage dropped this past season, and he isn't getting as much hype as teammate Frank Kaminsky, he is still a top player in college hoops. At 6-foot-9, he can do a number of different things, like drain the three-ball. Dekker has some serious potential. Hopefully we will see it all this season.

5. Aaron Harrison, Kentucky

Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

5. Aaron Harrison, Kentucky

Aaron Harrison, Kentucky
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 13.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG

Aaron Harrison may be a little high on this list, but him making clutch shot after clutch shot in the 2014 dance definitely had something to do with this ranking.

He has great size for his position (6-foot-6), a boatload of talent and should only be better in Year 2 with the Wildcats.

4. Georges Niang, Iowa State

Georges Niang, Iowa State
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

4. Georges Niang, Iowa State

Georges Niang, Iowa State
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 16.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.6 APG

It is too bad Georges Niang went down in the 2014 tournament, but he is back and ready to take the Cyclones on a deep run in the tourney. He is going to have to have a big season if he plans on Iowa State being anywhere near as good as last season's squad, though, as the team lost some key players.

3. Montrezl Harrell, Louisville

Montrezl Harrell, Louisville
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

3. Montrezl Harrell, Louisville

Montrezl Harrell, Louisville
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 14 PPG, 8.4 RPG

Montrezl Harrell was supposed to be a breakout player last season and he was. With Russ Smith gone, look for him to have an even more productive season in 2014-15.

2. Marcus Paige, North Carolina

Marcus Paige, North Carolina
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

2. Marcus Paige, North Carolina

Marcus Paige, North Carolina
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 17.5 PPG, 4.2 APG

Marcus Paige very well could be the best player in the country, but he comes in at No. 2. No matter what the case, he is going to score a bunch of points this year, and he is also going to hit a ton of shots from behind the arc (made 86 threes in 2013-14).

1. Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin

Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

1. Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin

Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

2013-14 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG

What's not to like about Frank Kaminsky? He's a 7-footer who can drain shots from behind the arc (shot 37.8 percent from three last season). He has the potential to be very dominant this year, but he will have plenty of help on a very talented Wisconsin team that made the Final Four in 2013-14.

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