The Naismith Trophy is given out to the best player in college basketball and has been given to the best player since 1969. Last year, Buddy Hield of Oklahoma won the trophy. Hield, a 6’4 guard, had one of the best shooting season we have ever seen. Buddy ended up getting drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans sixth overall back in June. So who are the favorites this year? Here are a list of a few players that will be the favorites going into the season.
Melo Trimble: Maryland
Most of last season Trimble made the players around him better. He was a pass first guard while he struggled beyond-the-arc but finished strong. He averaged 20 points in Maryland’s three NCAA tournament games. Maryland now has three starters gone and Trimble must return to the scoring first mentality he had as a freshman. If Melo goes back to where he was his first year at Maryland he will be considered for postseason honors.
Grayson Allen: Duke
Allen emerged as one of the country’s premier scorers last season and was a third-team AP All-American. The Blue Devils relied on Allen to handle the basketball and create offense along with Brandon Ingram. Allen was very efficient by hitting 41% of his 3-pointers and 80% of his free throws. It will be interesting to watch how Allen’s role shifts this season. Duke welcomes a really good freshman class filled with scorers and returns a solid nucleus from a Sweet 16 squad.
Josh Jackson: Kansas
The Jayhawks need to replace Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden. Josh Jackson is a gifted scorer, great rebounder and is a triple-double threat. Josh Jackson is a 6’7, 185-pound small forward and can be the best freshman in the country this year. He will most likely be a one and done player with Kansas and head to the NBA after just one year at Kansas. He will also likely be at the top of the list when it comes to getting the Naismith Trophy this year.
Harry Giles: Duke
Giles missed his sophomore season of high school basketball with a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his left knee. He tore the ACL in his right knee in the season opener at Oak Hill Academy last year. Those injuries cast some doubt on how effective Giles will be in his first season at Duke. I would expect the Blue Devils to be cautious with his rehab. If Giles can stay healthy at Duke, he will be one of the best in the country. He can score the ball inside and out for the Blue Devils.
Thomas Bryant: Indiana
Thomas set a school record by shooting 68% last season and earned All-Rookie honors in the Big Ten. Bryant did make five 3-pointers last season, but make no mistake he gets his stats down low in the paint. I would expect him to play more than 22 minutes per game and Indiana to give him a bigger work load this coming season.
Malik Monk: Kentucky
Monk won’t need much time to capture the nation’s attention. Monk is a high-flyer and can really shoot the basketball. He is athletic and very competitive. Monk won the McDonald’s All-American 3-point contest back in March. Malik will definitely help Kentucky spread the floor and make outside shots along with the other talent Kentucky has this coming season.