College basketball fantasy draft: Three GMs, eight rounds, the 24 best players

With the 2023-24 men’s basketball season on the horizon, it’s time for our annual fantasy draft where we choose the top players in the sport. ESPN’s panel of experts, including Jeff Borzello, John Gasaway, and Myron Medcalf, have assembled their rosters using a snake draft method. Along with the eight player picks, each team must also have one coach. This year, the experts had the advantage of watching exhibition games before making their selections. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 24 players for the upcoming season, as chosen by our experts.

In the first round, Jeff Borzello selects Zach Edey, the reigning Wooden Award winner and center for the Purdue Boilermakers. Borzello believes Edey’s scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking, and efficient shooting make him a no-brainer selection. Myron Medcalf picks Kyle Filipowski, center for the Duke Blue Devils, who showed great potential in his freshman season and is expected to shine even brighter after undergoing surgery. John Gasaway goes with Hunter Dickinson, center for the Kansas Jayhawks, remarking on his seamless transition from Michigan and his ability to score inside and outside the paint.

Moving on to the second round, Gasaway chooses Max Abmas, guard for the Texas Longhorns, citing his exceptional 3-point shooting skills. Medcalf selects Tyler Kolek, guard for the Marquette Golden Eagles, who was named preseason first team All-American and is considered the best point guard in the country. Borzello picks Justin Moore, guard for the Villanova Wildcats, who has recovered from an Achilles injury and has proved himself as a scorer and playmaker.

In the third round, Borzello picks Wade Taylor IV, guard for the Texas A&M Aggies, noting his impressive performances in the second half of last season and his recognition as SEC Preseason Player of the Year. Medcalf chooses Terrence Shannon Jr., guard for the Illinois Fighting Illini, emphasizing his size and improved 3-point shooting. Gasaway selects Zakai Zeigler, guard for the Tennessee Volunteers, anticipating a strong return after recovering from a torn ACL.

Moving on to the fourth round, Gasaway selects Isaiah Collier, guard for the USC Trojans, highlighting his scoring ability and potential to win Pac-12 Player of the Year. Medcalf picks Justin Edwards, guard for the Kentucky Wildcats, a versatile player expected to be a top 2024 NBA draft pick. Borzello chooses Donovan Clingan, center for the UConn Huskies, who is projected to have a breakout season with impressive statistics.

In the fifth round, Borzello picks Tyrese Proctor, guard for the Duke Blue Devils, who showed significant improvement as a freshman and brings size to the court. Medcalf selects Armando Bacot, forward for the North Carolina Tar Heels, a double-double machine and a proven winner. Gasaway chooses Graham Ike, forward for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, a transfer player who is expected to make a big impact.

Finally, in the sixth round, Gasaway selects Dillon Jones, forward for the Weber State Wildcats, noting his potential to emerge as a leader within the team, even without the requirement to select a mid-major standout.

So there you have it, the top 24 players for the upcoming men’s college basketball season according to our panel of experts. Now the question remains, which team looks the strongest heading into the new season? You can find the full rosters and make your own judgement. Happy basketball season!

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Laura Davis

Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.