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Which players in NCAA Men's College Basketball are most likely to win the Naismith player of the year award? Ranking the five best preseason candidates.
It’s almost to end of October, which means a couple of things in the sporting world. Major League Baseball is nearing its final conclusion for the 2023 season, teams in the NFL are starting to show their true colors as contenders and pretenders emerge, and basketball is right around the corner.
The NBA has already tipped off of course, but if you're someone like me who much prefers the storylines and pride of the college game over the pizzazz and drama of the professional one, then you’re still waiting for the real basketball season to start.
With the AP poll being released a few weeks ago and conference media days happening all over the country, it’s now time to spout out takes and rank everything in existence. We’ll start with the players most likely to take home college basketball’s highest individual honor, the Naismith Player of the Year award.
1. Zach Edey, C, Purdue
2022-23 stats: 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 60.7% FG
The reigning Naismith Winner is of course number No. 1 on this list, and for good reason. Edey is one of the most dominant low-post forces we have encountered in the past twenty years. He opened as a heavy favorite to repeat as the best player in college basketball per Vegas Insider which is no surprise. Don’t let Purdue’s historic defeat to the hands of 16-seed Farleigh Dickson distract you from the fact that Edey is the best player in college basketball.
Twenty years ago Edey would have been the unquestioned No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, but with how much the professional game has evolved with versatility, athleticism, and shooting being so highly valued, the Canadian big man would have maybe snuck into the second round this past summer. No matter, college ball fans around the globe (except maybe Big Ten fans) can rejoice with Edey back in the sport, anchoring what will be a top-five Purdue squad yet again. In fact, both EvanMiya and Kenpom have Purdue ranked No. 1 for ‘24, and Edey as the top returning player.
The only unanimous first-team preseason All American selection, Edey should dominate inside once again with his absurd 7-4, 300lb frame and claim the Naismith award for a second straight year. If Edey is able to accomplish this feat, he would become the first repeat player since Ralph Sampson over 40 years ago, who won three in a row as a member of the Virginia Cavaliers.
This feels like the 2021 preseason when Luka Garza decided to return to Iowa and everyone knew he was winning the Naismith, except Edey actually won this past year so he seems like even more of a lock. It’s his award to lose.
2. Hunter Dickinson, C, Kansas
2022-23 stats: 18.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 56% FG
It’s a shame we won’t get any more legendary Dickson - Edey battles down low, as the former decided to leave Ann Arbor and join forces with hall-of-fame coach Bill Self at Kansas. You can’t blame him. Michigan was one of the biggest letdowns last year, missing the tournament with basically two lottery picks and a two-time first team All-Big Ten player in Dickinson.
The fit in Lawrence should be seamless, as the former top-50 recruit should slide right into the five-spot that was uncharacteristically vacant last season. The Jayhawks relied on their oversized wings - Jalen Wilson and Kevin McCullar - to lead the team on the boards, and with the addition of Dickinson, this should free up some responsibility for guys to operate at more of their natural playing style.
Wilson is no longer there, along with this 20.1 points per game, but look for Self to design the offense around his shiny new centerpiece, who is much more versatile than many give him credit for. Dickinson has vastly improved his outside shot since entering the NCAA, hitting the three at a 42% clip last year on 57 attempts. He’s not just a space-eating big man who can bully opponents down low.
Dickson has the skill set to challenge Edey for the Naismith this year, while it’s quite an uphill battle, if anyone is going to do it I would put my money on Dickinson.
3. Kyle Filipowski, PF/C, Duke
2022-23 stats: 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 44% FG
Duke has absolutely dominated the preseason ACC awards thus far and their sophomore power forward is the primary reason why. The 2023 ACC Rookie of the Year, "Flip" had a monster freshman season for Duke which may have been slightly overshadowed by Scheyer's first season as head coach. You could even say Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett may have taken some shine off of the 7-footer based on how ridiculous their respective freshman seasons were, but regardless, Filipowski will get another shot of entering his name into the lore of similarly-statured Duke basketball legends.
Filipowski came to Duke as the No. 4 overall recruit according to 247sports, and outshined his two teammates who came in with higher pedigrees (Dereck Lively - No. 2, Dariq Whitehead - No. 3). Evan Miya had Filipowski as the No. 21 player in the country last season, which was second among freshman to UConn’s Dovoan Clingan (7th), and he enters this season at the No. 4 spot.
The New York native is an extremely versatile weapon on both ends of the floor and will be the focal point of a Duke team that is ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP poll. If Duke is going to compete for another national title this upcoming season, they are going to need their uber-skilled big man to play at an All-American level, something he is more than capable of.
4. Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette
2022-23 stats: 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 47% FG
Kolek’s ascension to All-American level is one of the best stories in college basketball. A former three-star recruit from Rhode Island who started his career at George Mason, Kolek didn’t make a single all-conference or rookie team after his first year. He then transfers to Marquette, where he shoots the ball at a horrendous clip (32% FG, 29% 3pt) but is still able to help the team reach the NCAA tournament. That season ended in a 30-point blowout loss to UNC.
Flash forward a year later and Kolek wins Big East Player of the Year, leads the conference in assists, and shoots 40% from three as the Golden Eagles sweep the regular season and tournament championship for the first time in school history. Truly remarkable. Kolek decided to return for his senior season for a team that brings back eight of their top nine scorers, meaning he will have a plethora of options to distribute the ball to yet again.
What makes Kolek so unique is his unparalleled ability to break down defenses. He always seems to know where the ball should go and makes sure his passes are right on the money. It's like he sees the game one step ahead of everybody else.
Almost like an NFL quarterback directing an offense, Kolek meticulously picks apart opposing defenses, reading ball-screen coverage to perfection and always putting his teammates in a position to score. He is not a great defender by any means, but he makes everyone around him infinitely better and should firmly be in the Naismith conversation by season’s end.
5. Armando Bacot, C, UNC
2022-23 stats: 15.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 55% FG
Yes, Armando Bacot is still in college basketball. We are now approaching Perry Ellis levels of sticking around, but why leave when you’re getting tricked-out free cars. All jokes aside, it’s great to have North Carolina's all-time leading rebounder back in the college game. An absolute behemoth on the low block, Bacot has led the ACC in rebounding the past two seasons, and if he stays healthy he should break Tim Duncan’s all-time conference record of 1570.
The Richmond, VA native dealt with ankle problems much of last year, but he should be more productive on both ends with those issues resolved. One of the most feared offensive rebounders in the nation, Bacot overpowers opponents with his 240 pound frame that feels even broader when watching him attack the glass. Bacot doesn’t offer much upside due to his inability to stretch the floor, but he is unquestionably one of the best and most physical inside presences in all of college basketball.
He’s definitely a longshot to win the Naismith, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Bacot had an Oscar Tshiebwe-like season which could put him in contention for this illustrious award.
