Top 2021 College Basketball Players to Look Out For This March Madness
College Basketball goes hand in hand with NBA prospects. And with the upcoming 2021 March Madness tournament, we get to witness all of these players step up their game for their team and at the same time draw attention from professional basketball scouts. That being said, we take a look at the top 10 college basketball player rankings and what makes these players special.
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Luka Garza
- Position: Forward
- Team: Iowa
- Stats: 23.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.7 AST
- Position: Guard
- Team: Illinois
- Stats: 20.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.2 AST
- Position: Forward
- Team: Gonzaga
- Stats: 19.2 PPG, 4.9 REB, 1.8 AST
- Position: Forward
- Team: Gonzaga
- Stats: 14.3 PPG, 7.7 REB, 0.9 AST
- Position: Guard
- Team: Baylor
- Stats: 17.1 PPG, 3.2 REB, 5.0 AST
- Position: Forward
- Team: Indiana
- Stats: 19.1 PPG, 9.0 REB, 1.5 AST
- Position: Guard
- Team: Oklahoma State
- Stats: 19.7 PPG, 6.3 REB, 3.5 AST
- Position: Forward
- Team: Villanova
- Stats: 11.4 PPG, 6.3 REB, 2.4 AST
- Position: Forward
- Team: Virginia Tech
- Stats: 15.9 PTS, 8.0 REB, 2.1 AST
- Position: Center
- Team: Michigan
- Stats: 14.3 PPG, 7.7 REB, 0.9 AST
Garza is a name closely associated with National Player of the Year and one of the top 10 college basketball players of 2021. He was among the favorites to win the award in spring and also the sole consideration of First or Second Team All-American from the previous season returning to school in 2020-21.
He continues to impress us with his numbers, close to averaging a double-double every game and leads Iowa in scoring. A deadly shooter outside the arc, Garza is one of the players making waves in the league today.
The forward plays a key role in Iowa, spearheading the team’s offense, helping them rank high in offensive efficiency rating. He leans towards swift attacking surrounded by players that help him get open looks.
READ MORE: How Does the NCAA Select The 68 Teams For March Madness?
Ayo Dosunmu
Well praised by other top NCAA players list, Ayo Dosunmu is among the responsible players that brought Illinois to a strong position this season. They were able to clinch a season-best ranking No. 2 in the Big Ten.
His scoring average continues to climb, topping his last year’s record by over 5 points. He shows up and delivers consistent numbers game after game, documenting an offensive rating of 112.4. Dosunmu is also lethal beyond the arc at 40 percent shooting.
The guard currently nurses a nose injury and has been sitting out several games now. But before that, he recorded double figures in every game he played this season, featuring 4 games where he recorded 30-points as well as two triple-doubles in his last 5 appearances for Illinois, bringing him to the top of player rankings.
Corey Kispert
Kispert is a veteran player that Gonzaga heavily relies on both on and off the court. With an average of almost 20 points per game, he holds the 10th spot in the country’s offensive rating.
Efficiency is what makes Kispert stand out and propel his name up the rankings, backed by a 46.4 percent 3-point percentage, 64.9 inside the arc, and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line. With all that, we can comfortably say he’s in the running for National Player of the Year.
Drew Timme
Another Gonzaga player that made it to the list is sophomore guard Drew Timme. He is part of the reason Gonzaga is considered to be the best team in the country. His career blossomed during his sophomore year where he doubled his numbers from his rookie season. Timme holds the top usage rate and shot for the Bulldogs.
Furthermore, Timme shoots 67.1 inside the arc and draws 6.5 fouls every 40 minutes on the floor, leading to more made free throws for Gonzaga. The NCAA player rankings 2021 highly regard Timme for his work this season.
Jared Butler
Another candidate for National Player of the Year and several top 10 college basketball players 2021 lists is Jared Butler, Baylor’s star junior guard. Possibly the most popular player on the roster, he is considered the best player in the league’s best team.
As Baylor’s number one man, he holds the highest usage rate on the team, putting up a 28.8 percent assist rate that ranks in the top 100. What makes him an even more superior player is the fact that he doesn’t have to be on the floor all the time to make an impact. He can play limited minutes and still put up the numbers. This season, he has only played north of 30 minutes in 9 games out of 23.
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Jackson-Davis is a promising young talent in the big man category and this top 10 college basketball players 2021 list. The forward is a key component to the Hoosiers’ success this season, scoring and contesting rebounds.
Even though Jackson-Davis might have a difficult time going toe-to-toe with fellow Big Ten players Garza and Dosunmu, we still see him as a prominent player in the league. When he gets to the free-throw line, he converts.
Simultaneously, he drives one of the biggest offensive loads, ranking 49th in shot rate and a block percentage of 4.9, making him one of the best rim protectors in college basketball at the moment.
Cade Cunningham
It’s great to see how much an impact a rookie can make, as shown by Cade Cunningham. The guard is a surefire contender for the freshman of the year award and does well in the NCAA player rankings 2021. What makes Cunningham stand out his is work rate and versatility.
The guard leads State in scoring at almost 20 points per game and second-best in assists and rebounds. He is involved in 21 percent of the team’s score when he’s playing. Also, Cunningham is lethal from range, shooting over 43 percent from the 3-point rage on 95 attempts.
Jermaine Samuels
Similar to any NCAA basketball betting guide, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of leadership in a team, and Samuels is a player that brings exactly that. His presence on the floor is not to be discounted as he is a jack of all trades. He is reliable on both ends of the court.
Even though he does not record double digits for Villanova, he can ramp up their score with a solid 46 percent shooting from the field. Consistency is a crucial part of any team, and Samuels exhibits just that as his team is headed towards the first seed.
Keve Aluma
Virginia Tech is currently doing well according to the NitroBetting basketball news and standings, and Aluma is one of the reasons behind their success. The player initially started his NCAA journey with Wofford and eventually made his way to Virginia Tech to average 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds during his first season for the team.
This was a step up considering the level of competition he has to face, which made a huge mark in the league. One of his most unforgettable performances has to be the 29-point, 10-rebound, and 4 assist game that led to a victory over rival team Virginia.
Hunter Dickinson
Another freshman makes it to the list in the form of a Michigan player, Hunter Dickinson. The 7-foot-1 center is a commanding presence in the paint. Dickinson is Michigan’s go-to player, averaging 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds to help the Wolverines top the conference and make a run to the NCAA tournament.
While some college basketball player rankings 2021 overlook big men, Dickinson is not to be disregarded here. Since he started his first season, he was present in all 21 games and slowly accumulated more playing time throughout the season. From a backup center, he is on his way to becoming a starter for Michigan should he continue to deliver the numbers.
After going over the top 10 college basketball players 2021, we’re ready to head onto the next stage of the NCAA and witness some of the most exciting games this season
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