Dr. Tee’s Top 12 College Basketball Players of 2022-2023
Introduction
This year’s addition of collegiate basketball was a fun and unexpected one to say the least. With yet another preseason ranking making a fool of itself that included the likes of #1 ranked North Carolina, #4 Kentucky, #7 Duke, and #21 Oregon all falling outside the entire top 25 with the exception of Duke (#12), and delivering for the most part underwhelming seasons by the programs’ previous set standards.
Alongside the usual chaos that surrounds the uprise and downfall of programs, we saw some great individual seasons and performances by some of the Nation’s best players. Antoine Davis of Detroit Mercy falling just short of Pete Marivich’s record for most points in a career (4 points to be exact), while dropping numerous 40 bombs was atop the list.
But of course, how could you forget the games? Big Ten matchups like Rutgers taking down #1 Purdue in late February, and Iowa’s 13-point comeback in the final 1:30 of their late season showdown against Michigan State were some of the most notable.
So let's honor some of those performances and who was able to consistently give the nation a show every time they laced up the shoes and hit the court for their colleges.
12 | Armando Bacot, C, UNC, Senior
Despite an underwhelming year from the Tar Heels from a success standpoint, finishing 20-13 - 7th in the ACC ultimately leading to missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010, Armando Bacot was one of the best players in the nation. Coming off of an extremely successful 2021-22 campaign, Bacot flew under the radar as a senior; posting averages of 15.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks (55.4% FG, 66.5% FT), even breaking the Tar Heels record for most double-doubles in a career with 61, (tied for most in a season with 31 in 2021-22 with David Robinson). Even with the lack of success this season, Bacot’s ability to snag rebounds and be an anchor in the post offensively should earn him a chance to further his career at a pro-level.
11 | Mike Miles, Jr., G, TCU, Junior
Miles was the leader of a potent TCU offense that quite literally came out of nowhere to end up finishing the season with a 21-12 record, finishing 22nd in the final AP Poll, earning a 6th seed in the NCAA tournament. Miles came up clutch numerous times for the Horned Frogs this season, and put up career numbers in statistical categories this season; averaging 17.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists on great efficiency from the field (49.2%, 35.6%). Miles’ game revolves around quick cuts to the basket, with elusive fakes that result in open shots for himself, and draw in enough attention that they create open opportunities for his teammates.
10 | Azuolas Tubelis, F, Arizona, Junior
Tubelis was the main offensive contributor on a very good Arizona Wildcats team that finished 8th in the nation with a 28-6 record, entering the NCAA tournament as the #2 seed in the South regional bracket. Tubelis was almost a quiet scorer for the Wildcats, putting up near 20 and 10 averages a night (19.8 points, 9.8 rebounds). Tubelis made a living under and around the rim, even putting up a 40-bomb on Oregon in early February where he 16-21 from the field, only attempting one three pointer. Tubelis’ fantastic season has put him on the radar of many NBA teams and there's a good chance he’ll sneak his way into the late 2nd round of the draft.
9 | Antoine Davis, G, Detroit Mercy, Senior
Davis was the best scorer in the NCAA this season, leading the Nation in PPG with 28.2 - 4.8 higher than the next closest. Davis shot a career high 41.2% from three that was 16th in the Nation overall. Davis was able to score 25 or more points in twenty-two of his thirty-three games this season, including four games of 40+ points.
8 | Jaime Jaquez, Jr., F, UCLA, Senior
Making a case for himself as one of the best Bruins in recent memory, Jaquez has put together four great years while at UCLA with this past season probably being his best from an individual standpoint. Jaquez put up averages across the board of 17.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals on 48.3 shooting from the field, as well as 31.7 shooting from 3pt. Jaquez is a good finisher around the rim and has been able to be productive in the post as well as from mid-range. His combination of quickness and agility is what makes him such a threat everywhere on the court, especially for the way he plays the game. Jaquez will most likely be a mid-2nd round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
7 | Markquis Nowell, G, Kansas State, Senior
Markquis Nowell made a name for himself as the best point guard in the nation at times, and is still having performances well into the NCAA tournament that are further proving why he is both a legitimate NBA prospect, and why he deserves to be in the Naismith conversation. Nowell put up averages of 17.1 points, 3.5 rebound and 7.8 assists which ranked 2nd in the nation. Nowell shot a respectable 35.1% from three-point range this season, which was a 5% increase in his percentage from last year. Nowell has shown great court vision, possibly the best in the country, and great range from three. Nowell has been possibly the most exciting player to watch all season and will have a chance to solidify himself as that guy in K-State’s upcoming Sweet 16 matchup against Michigan State.
6 | Marcus Sasser, G, Houston, Senior
Sasser was great at both ends of the court - so much so that he won the AAC player of the year award as well as being named to the All-AAC team. Sasser came into the 2022-23 season with relatively quiet expectations coming off an injury that sidelined him for more than half of the 2021-22 season, but blew both fans and the media away. Sasser ended the year averaging over 16 points per game, with 3 rebounds and 3 assists to go with that. Sasser shot 44% from the field and over 38% from 3pt, showing an array of a smooth offensive toolset and a great defensive game in the process. Sasser has risen himself up NBA draft boards and will more than likely be a late 1st round selection.
5 | Brandon Miller, F, Alabama, Freshman
Brandon Miller shot up both NCAA ranks and NBA draft boards after coming into the season ablaze. Miller was able to help Alabama to their first ever #1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, and showed glimpses of a Kevin Durant-esque player in his game. Miller, despite showing a knack to go on streaky shooting streaks, would finish the season with averages of over 19 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists per game, whilst shooting 44% from the field and 39.5% from 3pt. Miller was a great 3-level scorer - creating off the dribble, pulling up from three, and driving to the rim for an athletic finish are all in his arsenal. Miller showed willingness to give up the ball, which is a good thing to see in a predominantly ball-dominant forward at his age. Miller’s overall season-long performance will most certainly earn him a lottery pick in the draft, if not a top 5-3 selection.
4 | Jalen Wilson, F, Kansas, Senior
Wilson was elite in almost every way possible for the Jayhawks this season, averaging over 20 points per game and taking home Big12 player of the year. Despite a disappointing end to the season, Wilson had numerous performances in which he had to will himself to carry Kansas to a victory. Finding help for Wilson on the offense end was a struggle for Kansas all season and it showed in many instances, but what sticks out most is that Wilson was able to deliver in so many of those instances. Wilson’s great season propelled him into draft talks and he has now been considered a mid to early 2nd round prospect since around mid-season.
3 | Drew Timme, F, Gonzaga, Senior
Timme, a senior out of Richardson, Texas, has the appearance of someone who you would see during any regular day at the local rec, but the raw talent of someone who could be an NBA rotation player later down the road. Timme has been arguably the Zags most consistent player over his four years there, amassing over 2,200 career points and shooting the ball at over 60% from the field. Timme’s soft touch around the rim and great mid range game is what allowed him to become one of the most unguardable players in the nation - it’s also what allowed him to average over 20 points per game this season. Overall, Timme added 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a block per game - all being career highs.
2 | Trayce Jackson-Davis, F, Indiana, Senior
Jackson-Davis’ unique skill set that combines power, speed and agility - along with one of the best finishing abilities in the country - is what has made him such a good scorer for the Hoosiers. Jackson-Davis scored on average 20.9 points per game (16th in the nation), with an additional 10.8 rebounds (7th in the nation), 4 assists and 2.9 blocks per game (tied for 4th in the nation), on 58.1% shooting from the field (31st in the nation). Jackson-Davis has scored over 2,200 points in his Hoosiers career which is 3rd all time by an Indiana player, as well as amassing over 1,100 career rebounds - ranking him 1st all time amongst Indiana Hoosiers for a career. Jackson-Davis has not only made a legit case to be picked in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft as a senior, but has also signed numerous brand deals with companies and is further solidifying why he’s one of the biggest names college basketball has seen of the last decade.
1 | Zach Edey, C, Purdue, Junior
To put it simply, Edey was unstoppable. There’s nothing that you can do to slow him down, and there’s especially nothing any team that didn’t throw four guys at him in the post (cough, cough FDU), could do to stop his magnificent scoring numbers. It’s no secret that Edey’s size is the main reason he’s been successful at the college level, but his growth in his game around the rim has grown immensely. Although very capable, Edey’s game isn’t all just simply dunking the ball because he has the sheer body mass too. He has a very soft touch around the rim and is able to place the ball in the bucket with precision. What was most evident of this statistics wise was his 73.4% free-throw percentage - placing him in the top 350 nationally. Edey scored at a great rate because of this, with 22.3 points per game (6th nationally) showing for his immense skill in the post. Edey was also (expectedly) a monster on the glass, reeling in an average of 12.9 rebounds per game (2nd nationally), with an assist on the side of 2.1 blocks per game - all done on 60% shooting from the field. The Ontario native has a height and weight of 7’4” and 295 pounds (according to ESPN), just another reason why he deserves to have an NBA-level chance to further his career.
The Top 30…….
13, Adama Sanogo, C, UConn, Junior
14, Oscar Tshiebwe, C, Kentcuky, Senior
15, Noah Clowney, PF, Alabama, Freshman
16, Jalen Pickett, G, Penn State, Senior
17, Kris Murray, F, Iowa, Junior
18, Isaiah Wong, G, Miami, Senior
19, Kyle Filipowski, F, Duke, Freshman
20, Keyontae Johnson, F, Kansas State, Senior
21, Kendric Davis, G, Memphis, Senior
22, Hunter Dickinson, C, Michigan, Junior
23, Terrance Shannon, Jr., G, Illinois, Freshman
24, Colby Jones, G, Xavier, Junior
25, Terquavion Smith, G, NC State, Sophomore
26, Adam Flagler, G, Baylor, Senior
27, Jett Howard, G, Michigan, Freshman
28, Jarace Walker, C, Houston, Freshman
29, Max Abmas, G, Oral Roberts, Senior
30, Drew Pember, F, UNC Asheville, Senior
Honorable Mentions:
Tyson Walker, G, Michigan State, Senior
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, Junior
AJ Hoggard, G, Michigan State, Junior
Nick Smith, Jr., G, Arkansas, Freshman
Keyonte George, G, Baylor, Freshman
Jordan Hawkins, G, UConn, Sophomore
Boo Buie, G, Northwestern, Senior
Gradey Dick, G, Kansas, Freshman
Jalen Slawson, F, Furman, Senior
Jalen Hood-Schifino, G, Indiana, Freshman
Nae’Qwan Tomlin, F, Kansas State, Freshman
Tyson Walker, G, Michigan State, Senior
Grant Singleton, G, FDU, Senior
Julian Strawther, F, Gonzaga, Junior
Kobe Brown, F, Missouri, Senior
Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette, Sophomore
Kobe Bufkin, G, Michigan, Sophomore
Oso Ighodaro, F, Marquette, Sophomore
Dereck Lively, II, C, Duke, Freshman
Cason Wallace, G, Kentucky, Freshman
Cam Whitmore, F, Villanova, Freshman
Reece Beekman, G, Virginia, Junior
Brandin Podziemski, G, UC Santa Clara, Sophomore
Riley Kugel, G, Florida, Freshman
Wade Taylor, G, Texas A&M, Sophomore
Darius McGhee, G, Liberty, Senior
Marcus Carr, G, Texas, Senior
Tucker DeVries, F, Drake, Sophomore
