The last guard to win National Player of the Year was Jalen Brunson in 2018. Then, all centers. This season, there might be someone who resembles the New York Knicks’ scorer, but in general, much of the NCAA’s star power lies in the hands of experienced guards ready to hammer defenses with solo runs under the basket and three-pointers. RJ Davis and Mark Sears compete in the Top 10 of our best guards.
1. RJ Davis
North Carolina | SG | 183 cm | 82 kg
RJ Davis was clear on the microphones: the only reason that brought him back to Chapel Hill for the fifth year is the ambition to win a national title never achieved. The Tar Heels point guard returns after the best season of his career, where he put the Player of the Year dell’ACC e un AP First-Team All American. Averaging over 21 points on nearly 40% three-point shooting is an impressive feat that the New York native hopes to avoid having to do again with the additions of Cade Tyson, Ian Jackson and Drake Powell. With Armando Bacot gone, RJ will need to make sure he plays in a balanced system that doesn’t have to constantly drag his team down. Coming into the big games in March feeling fresh is a must.
2. Mark Sears
Alabama | PG | 185 cm | 86 kg
Mark Sears’s reasons for returning are similar to RJ Davis’s. The loss in Final Four leaves a bitter taste in his mouth and the hope of going all the way in his final year is a strong enough reason to return to Tuscaloosa. Alabama coach Nate Oats suggested that, in addition to the “unfinished business” feeling, Sears would be better off staying in an NCAA context using the NILs than signing a two-way contract in the NBA with no guarantees. Second only to Dalton Knecht, Sears finished last season with almost the 44% from three points. The left-handed guard has proven to be a special scorer on all three levels. After being named an All-American Second Team, the former Ohio State player seems to have what it takes to make the First Team.
3. LJ Cryer
Houston | SG | 185 cm | 91 kg
After three years with Baylor, the most recent one in Houston was an individual success. On a collective level, exiting in the Sweet 16 with Duke was not exactly the goal set. Cryer remains one of the top scorer in the entire NCAA. He can score from a set, off the dribble and at the rim, although his shot selection can be improved at times. The Cougars will rely entirely on him, especially in the offensive half. Cryer will need to focus on improving his skills playmaking and game visionwithout losing the scoring mindset that distinguishes him. Expectations for his final season of eligibility are very high. New top-notch arrivals from both high school and the transfer portal put Houston among the prime candidates to aim for the title. LJ Cryer said he has never had as much fun as last year thanks to coach Sampson, can next year surprise him again with a run until the end of April?
4. Ryan Nembhard
Gonzaga | PG | 183 cm | 82 kg
“It took a while to get used to, I only felt really comfortable halfway through conference play”. This is how Andrew’s brother commented on the season just ended. It is no coincidence that in the WCC, Ryan led the league in several statistical categories, including assists and assist-turnover ratio. Even from three-point range, excluding non-conference games, he is a 46% shooter. For next season, the goal is to improve everything related to finishing at the rim. He himself said he watched several clips of Jalen Brunsonlooking to improve his finishing at the rim and his ability to take free throws. This would allow him to add qualities to his profile as an elite passer ahead of the 2025 draft.
5. Jeremy Roach
Baylor | PG | 188 cm | 82 kg
Roach’s transfer from Duke to Baylor is one of the more intriguing moves in college basketball. “Personally, I would have liked to stay, but things didn’t work out”. The Blue Devils star will then move to the Big 12. The preference for a style of play with Tyrese Proctor ball in hand and Roach off-ball is probably one of the reasons that led him to move away. Ready to return to his natural role as lead guard, Roach expressed his happiness at being able to return to express himself in his role at Baylor where he will have in his hands the keys to an attack full of guards, come VJ Edgecombein a particular version of the Bears, very small with Norchad Omier at 5.
6. Caleb Love
Arizona | PG | 193 cm | 93 kg
The list of those returning for a fifth year grows with one of the most polarizing players in recent years. Often discussed for poor shot selection and limited consistency, in past years Love has decided the only Duke North Carolina of history played in March, with 28 points and a three-pointer that sent Coach K into retirement. Historic performances aside, Love’s return to Arizona for the second year increases the Wildcats’ chances of improving their disappointing Sweet 16 of last season. Although the decision to return caused the decommitting five-star Jason Sanon remains a positive thing for coach Tommy Lloyd, who finds with Love the entire package of 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
7. Wade Taylor
Texas A&M | SG | 183 cm | 79 kg
He has consistently been one of the best guards in the SEC for years. Texas A&M still lacks the sharpness of Buzz Williams in management and hopes to have it this year, in his final college season. Wade Taylor IV. Last year he improved on virtually every single statistical item, becoming a near waiting list every night thanks to those trips to the free throw line that he always finds and his physicality under the basket. When he catches fire he is unstoppable: Averaged 27 points in three days at the SEC tournament. Defensively he knows his stuff. He’s a potential All-American: it’s unlikely he’ll crack the first five, but he’s got room in the other two quintets.
8. Braden Smith
Purdue | PG | 183 cm | 79 kg
His first two seasons with the Boilermakers were impressive. Braden set a conference record for assists with a total of 292, while also being the only player in the United States with 12 points, 7.5 assists and 5 rebounds per game on average. Along with Magic Johnson, Ja Morant, Nick Calathes, DJ Cooper and Kenny Anderson one of six players in history with 800 points, 425 assists and 350 rebounds in his first two seasons. The company is not bad but all that to say that the expectations for Smith are very high. He enters his junior year as one of the most complete guards in Division I. He is expected to take a step forward in terms of leadership, now that Zach Edey is goneespecially in ball handling (often a few turnovers too many). With a little extra help in key moments from Foster Loyer, Braden Smith and Purdue’s ambitions can quickly soar.
9. Johnell Davis
Arkansas | SG | 193 cm | 92 kg
Considered one of the top transfers in the entire NCAA, Davis left Florida Atlantic for Arkansas, thanks to the arrival of the inimitable coach John Calipari. In his senior season, the guard averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists, topped off with almost a steal and a half per game. Davis is the typical scorer on three levels and also an above-average rebounder for the role. In addition to great numbers, he gives his all on defense, has active hands and makes his presence felt on and off the court. The jump to a conference like the SEC is very feasible for him but it won’t be easy, plus he will have to redeem himself a bit from the poor clutchness shown in the final part of last season.
10. Kadary Richmond
St. John’s | SG | 198 cm | 93 kg
After his commitment, Rick Pitino defined the external department he had on his hands as “the backcourt of dreams“. The main reason was precisely because he snatched a guard like Kadary Richmond from a rising rival like Seton Hall. A bulldog of almost two meters who defends very well and finds his offensive impact by exploiting his size under the basket. The poor context of the Pirates last year led him to good numbers, but not very efficient. We will have to evaluate how the sharing of responsibilities with Deivon Smith and Simeon Wilcher will be. The collapse of percentages from the arc (from 44% to 28%) is an alarm bell to evaluate.