Here are some key takeaways from the AP preseason All-America men’s basketball team:
1. Sears a near-unanimous first-team selection
Receiving all but one vote from the 55-person national media panel, Alabama senior Mark Sears was a unanimous choice to make the team after averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and four assists while shooting just above 50 percent during the 2023-24 season. The Crimson Tide’s season was ultimately cut short with a Final Four defeat to eventual national champion UConn.
In addition to breaking the Alabama single-season scoring record with at least 20 points in 26 games, Sears became the first Division I player in 31 years to have 795 points, 150 rebounds, 145 assists and 95 three-pointers in a single season, per the Associated Press.
2. 2023-24 Pac-12 player of the year Caleb Love gives 10th-ranked Arizona high expectations
With the decision of Love, sharpshooting guard and Pac-12 player of the year, to return to the Wildcats for another season, there is a lot of excitement in the desert. After averaging 18 points and making 92 three-point attempts during the 2023-24 season, Love gives Wildcat fans more optimism.
While he only made 41.3 percent of his shots, Love scored 20 or more points 14 times during the 2023-24 season including a 36-point effort against Oregon. If he can score at that rate this season, it will not take long to see why he was named a preseason All-American.
3. 2023-24 ACC player of the year RJ Davis enters fifth year with Tar Heels
Coming off a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Davis returns to North Carolina. Averaging an impressive 21.2 points per game during the 2023-24 season, which ranked 11th in the nation, Davis looks to break former Tar Heels standout Tyler Hansbrough’s all-time ACC scoring record of 2,872 points. Davis enters the season with 2,088 career points, giving him a realistic shot at the record.
Shooting roughly 40 percent from behind the arc last season and scoring 30 or more points on four occasions — including a season-high 42 points against Miami — Davis did more than enough to earn his spot as a preseason All-American.
4. Nation’s top recruit Flagg brings versatility to Duke
The top high school recruit Cooper Flagg arrives on the college scene as a member of the preseason All-America team. Projected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, Flagg could potentially bring a lot of versatility to Duke, possessing the skill set of a guard and the ability to play inside and around the perimeter.
Playing in 33 games during his senior season of high school, Flagg averaged 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.7 blocks per game, showcasing just how versatile of a player he is and how difficult of a matchup he could be at the collegiate level.
5. Johni Broome back for a fifth season
After spending his first two collegiate seasons at Morehead State, Broome enters his third season at Auburn and fifth overall. Coming off an impressive 2023-24 campaign in which he averaged 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds on 54.8 percent from the floor, Broome put extra emphasis on his perimeter shooting during the offseason.
If Broome can improve after making just 35.4 percent of his shots during the 2023-24 season, he should be a force to be reckoned with considering he put up 14 double-doubles last year.
6. Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson returns
Dickinson’s return adds to the experienced group that has the Jayhawks holding down the No. 1 ranking in the preseason poll. After transferring from Michigan for the 2023-24 season, Dickinson averaged 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds while shooting 54.8 percent from the field. Kansas will look to utilize his size in the paint once again and try to advance past the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where the Jayhawks’ 2023-24 season came to an end against Gonzaga.
After averaging a double-double last season and achieving four 20-rebound games, Dickinson will be tough to defend, especially if he keeps shooting above 50 percent.
