Well, we made it. It was a struggle at times — “One Shining Moment” doesn’t hit as hard after the ten-thousandth watch — but college basketball is officially back. The drama of the offseason really carried us through: conference realignment, player movement, coaching changes, Dan Hurley not going to the Lakers, Cooper Flagg dominating Team USA, Hoops HQ launching — I could go on and on. It all set the stage for what should be an incredible 2024-25 campaign.
Below are my initial rankings for Player of the Year. I’ll continue updating the list as the season rolls along.
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Only three freshmen have ever won the Wooden Award: Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant. Three generational prospects, all of whom entered college basketball with a tremendous amount of hype, just like Cooper Flagg. This is a bet — a pretty safe one, I believe — that the Duke star will fully live up to that hype. He may be a freshman, but Flagg certainly doesn’t play like one (see highlights from those Team USA scrimmages this summer, when he was nailing jumpers over the aforementioned Davis). At six-foot-nine with elite skill and athleticism, he has all the tools to follow in the footsteps of Williamson, Davis and Durant.
2. Mark Sears, Alabama
You’re looking at the number one weapon on the number one offense in college basketball last year — and there’s no reason to believe he, or his team, will slow down in 2024-25. Once a streaky shooter who was lightly recruited out of high school, Sears’ efficiency now sets him apart from other high-scoring guards. The senior lefty shot 51 percent from the field and 44 percent from three (sixth in Division I) on his way to setting the Alabama record for most points in a single season (797). Sears has significant experience running Nate Oats’ system and should have the Crimson Tide competing for a national title again.
All Reps and No Rest: Georgia Freshman Asa Newell Is Already Making His Mark
Newell has shined for the Bulldogs and emerged as a top prospect for the 2025 NBA draft3. Hunter Dickinson, Kansas
Dickinson is the centerpiece of perhaps the most loaded team in college basketball and he is going to put up big numbers. Again. Kansas added perimeter talent this offseason, which should give the 7-foot-2 Dickinson more room to operate down low. He averaged 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds last year without the spacing that sharpshooters like Rylan Griffen and Zeke Mayo will provide. A center has taken home the POY award in each of the past four seasons (Luka Garza, Oscar Tshiebwe and Zach Edey twice) — Dickinson could very well run the streak five.
4. RJ Davis, North Carolina
“I’m back.” With two words, Davis threw his name in the POY race again. The fifth-year senior was an All-American and Wooden Award finalist last year, averaging 21.2 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 40 percent from three. If he continues to produce at a similar rate, he has a chance to break the ACC career scoring record currently held by former Tar Heel Tyler Hansbrough (2,872). Of course, that isn’t the main thing on Davis’ mind after a disappointing loss to Alabama in the 2024 Sweet 16.
5. Johni Broome, Auburn
Broome had one of the more impressive individual seasons in Auburn basketball history last year, becoming just the 14th Tiger to be named an All-American and winning MVP of the SEC Tournament. The 6-foot-10 forward’s versatile skill set has expanded significantly since he joined the Tigers in 2022. With his mobility and rim protection, Broome is the heart of Auburn’s tough defense. He also controls the glass and low post, tallying 14 double-doubles in 2023-24 despite playing just 24.8 minutes per game. Expect more of the same from the fifth-year senior, especially with support from transfers JP Pegues and Miles Kelly.
