The 50 Best Players in College Basketball for 14-15 (USA Today/TBL)

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For the fourth summer in a row, we’re tackling the 50 best players in College Basketball. Here’s the list from 2011-2012, here’s the list from 2012-2013, and here’s the list from 2013-2014. Surely a name or two or 10 will outrage you. There’s a dozen or so players listed at the very bottom who “just missed the cut.” What constitutes “Best?” A combination of things: 1) How they’ve played in college or last year in high school, 2) How I project them as a player next year, 3) Individual skill and value to the team, 4) How I project them as a pro.

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1. Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke. First back-to-the-basket big man the Blue Devils have had since Carlos Boozer. Should be instant impact 15-10 guy from November.

2. Cliff Alexander, C, Kansas. Stud from Chicago is 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, and will quickly make everyone forget about Joel Embiid’s great freshman season.

3. Stanley Johnson, G/F, Arizona. Will he fill the Nick Johnson role of top scorer? Or will he be used as a reserve to SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson? Thing is, Johnson can score, and few incoming freshman can do it as well.

4. Karl Towns, F, Kentucky. The Wildcats are loaded, and yet this 7-footer who can float to the perimeter might have the most talent of any player on Calipari’s roster. Would be a major stunner if this freshman wasn’t 1-and-done.

5. Montrezl Harrell, F, Louisville. Stayed in school to round out his all-around game, and there’s no reason to believe his averages of 14 ppg and 8.2 rpg can’t improve to 18-10. Shot 60 percent from the field … but just 46 percent from the line.

6. Frank Kaminsky, C, Wisconsin. When he dropped 40 in a December game, I thought it was an outlier. Then, he continued to dominate all season, and was unstoppable at times in March (until Kentucky held him to eight points on seven shots). Averaged 4.2 ppg as a sophomore. Hung 28 on Arizona in the Elite 8.

7. Tyus Jones, G, Duke. Arguably the best point guard in high school basketball last year, he’s drawn some comparisons to former Michigan star Trey Burke.

8. Myles Turner, C, Texas. Seven-footer was one of the top-rated high school basketball players by the scout services. He’s expected to have an immediate impact, be one-and-done and get selected in the lottery.

9. Sam Dekker, F, Wisconsin. Had him 13th on this list last year, but he stepped back a bit offensively, and ultimately decided to stay in school. Recently took part in LeBron’s camp in Vegas and the reviews were rave. I think he projects as a better pro than Gordon Hayward.

10. Georges Niang, F, Iowa State. His late-season broken foot prevented the Cyclones from making a Final 4 run. Averaged 16.7 ppg, stuffs the stat sheet and has a high basketball IQ.

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