College Basketball Player of the Year Candidates

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 28, 2010

College Basketball Player of the Year Candidates

John Wall

As the most recognizable player on the nation's No. 1 team (and presumed No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft), Wall may be the current leader in the race for player of the year. John Calipari's latest point guard prodigy leads the Wildcats in points (17.0), assists (6.9) and steals (2.1) per game. The electrifying athlete has also shown a knack for staging late-game heroics.

Evan Turner

Ohio State jumped out to a 7-1 start and No. 13 ranking this season, thanks to forward-turned-point guard Evan Turner, who led the Buckeyes in points (20.6), rebounds (12.9) and assists (6.6) over the first eight games. But then Turner suffered a transverse process fracture of two vertebrae during an attempted dunk against Eastern Michigan. Turner was initially supposed to miss around 12 games, but he sat out for just six and has been spectacular since returning. With Turner back in the fold, Ohio State could make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

Damion James

James flirted with entering the NBA draft after last season, but returned when he was not graded out as a high enough pick, and Texas couldn't be happier. The hyper-athletic, 6-foot-7 senior is the key cog for the 17-2 Longhorns, leading the team in points (17.6) and rebounds (10.8).

Wesley Johnson

Jim Boeheim hasn't taken many transfers during his time at Syracuse, but it's no wonder that he warmly welcomed Johnson, who played his first two years at Iowa State. As one of the most versatile and unselfish players in America, Johnson leads 20-1 Syracuse in points (17.1) and rebounds (9.0) and ranks second in steals (2.4) and blocks (1.9). Johnson's a key component in the Orange's 2-3 zone, which has been as effective as ever this season.

Scottie Reynolds

Reynolds may be the most lethal crunch-time player in the nation. The cold-blooded senior guard has improved every season at Villanova and headlines a stellar backcourt, averaging a team-high 18.7 points per contest. Thanks in large part to Reynolds, the 18-1 Wildcats are unquestionably a national title contender.

Sherron Collins

Collins is the unquestioned leader of the loaded Jayhawks, who could return to the No. 1 spot after Kentucky's loss to South Carolina on Tuesday night. The senior leads Kansas in scoring (15.5) and assists (4.2) and has the ability to completely take over a game down the stretch.

Jon Scheyer

Scheyer has flourished in his first full season running the point for the Blue Devils. The senior, who leads Duke in scoring (18.6) and assists (5.7) per game, has a fabulous grasp for the game. He ranks fourth in the country with a spectacular 3.72 assist-to-turnover ratio and shoots 89.5 percent from the free-throw line. What Scheyer lacks in pure athleticism, he makes up for with stellar decision-making.

Luke Harangody

The two-time All-American and 2008 Big East Player of the Year leads the conference in scoring (24.7) and ranks fourth in rebounding (9.9). The 15-5 Fighting Irish look to ride their senior stud to a third NCAA tournament appearance in four seasons.

Jerome Dyson

The 6-foot-4 guard does it all for the Huskies, averaging 19.5 points, 5.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. Just last weekend Dyson guided UConn to an 88-74 upset of then-No. 1 Texas, scoring a game-high 32 points.

James Anderson

The Big 12's leading scorer at 22.3 points per game may be the best shooting guard in college basketball. In Oklahoma State's upset win at Kansas State, Anderson efficiently led the Pokes with 30 points, shooting 9-for-18 from the field and 10-for-11 from the foul line.

Jimmer Fredette

At 20-1 and ranked No. 12, the Cougars are paced by the junior guard with the funny name. Fredette leads BYU in points (20.2) and assists (5.0) while shooting 89.7 percent from the line and an amazing 45.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Matt Bouldin

Bouldin has steadily improved over his four seasons at Gonzaga. As a senior, the Zags' Mr. Everything leads the team in scoring (16.4) and assists (4.2), while ranking third in rebounds (4.4) and shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range. <br><br>Who do you think should be Player of the Year? Send comments to siwriters@simail.com