It’s time to unveil my All-Americans, and while it got closer towards the end, the National Player of the Year Award wasn’t really that difficult to determine. Neither was the Coach of the Year — even though there were plenty of candidates.
Here are all the awards, along with the All-Americans, a Mid-Major AA Team and also an All-Defensive Team. We’ve also included a quote on each player from an opposing coach.
Player of the Year
Zion Williamson, Duke
Despite missing the end of the regular-season due to the knee injury, Zion still gets the nod for his overall body of work when he was healthy. He was a game-changer for Duke — on both ends of the court and with his intensity and intangibles. You want proof? Duke got smacked in Cameron to North Carolina without him, lost in Chapel Hill without him and also lost to Virginia Tech without the Hokies’ best player while Zion was absent.
Coach of the Year
Chris Beard, Texas Tech
He lost five of his top players — including a lottery pick — off last year’s Elite Eight team and the Red Raiders still won a share of the Big 12 regular-season title. Texas Tech is arguably the most difficult job in the league, and Beard has found a way to make the Red Raiders one of the best in the country the last two seasons.
Freshman of the Year
Zion Williamson, Duke
See above.
Defensive Player of the Year
Matisse Thybulle, Washington
He guards multiple positions and buys into his role as an elite defender who doesn’t need the ball in his hands. He’s got long arms, but it’s his ability to move his feet and anticipate that make him the best defender in the country.
[RELATED: Zion Williamson Remains Atop Stadium’s Ultimate Player of the Year List]
ALL-AMERICANS
FIRST TEAM
Zion Williamson, 6-7, 280, F, Fr., Duke
21.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 68% FG
“Once in a lifetime talent! He’s a freak athlete who just imposes his will on you.”
Grant Williams, 6-7, 240, F, Jr., Tennessee
19.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.3 apg
“He uses his body extremely well to get position and draw fouls. He is a winner and makes winning ways. His leadership and will to win help make his team so tough to beat.”
R.J. Barrett, 6-7, 205, SG-SF, Fr., Duke
23.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.2 apg
“Best all-around player I’ve seen in the last decade.”
De’Andre Hunter, 6-7, 225, F, RS Soph., Virginia
15.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 47% 3-pointers
“An absolute man on both ends of the floor.”
Jarrett Culver, 6-6, 195, SG, Soph., Texas Tech
18.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.6 apg
“To win the league on the road they needed a lottery pick-type performance from their best player. And he delivered in a big, big way.”
SECOND TEAM
Brandon Clarke, 6-8, 215, PF, RS Jr., Gonzaga
16.6 peg, 8.5 rpg, 3.2 bpg, 69% FG
“He’s like Zion. Incredibly explosive, makes every two-point shot, rebounds at the same rate and actually is a better shot-blocker. Old and mature.”
Ethan Happ, 6-10, 235, C, Sr., Wisconsin
17.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.7 apg
“The most unique player that I’ve ever coached against in terms of their ability to change a game without ever making or taking a shot outside of the paint. Even though the shot never developed, his game never stopped growing because his passing, footwork, defensive improvement and overall feel for the game have increased. Really solid defender with good instincts and feet.”
Cassius Winston, 6-1, 185, PG, Jr., Michigan State
19.0 ppg, 7.6 apg, 41% 3-pointers
“Cassius’ hands are like that of a PGA golfer or a world-class pianist. His ability to manipulate a basketball is out of the world. Now, he’s learned how to will his team to victory.”
Ja Morant, 6-3, 175, PG, Soph., Murray State
24.6 ppg, 10 apg, 5.5 rpg
“Great passer. Unbelievable vision and in-game feel with one of the best abilities to finish in the lane. Can drive it left or right and finish with either hand as well. Elite athlete too.”
Markus Howard, 5-11 ,175, PG, Jr., Marquette
25 ppg, 4 apg, 3.9 rpg, 42% 3-pointers
“Crafty scorer. Unlimited range with unique ability to make contested shots. When he is making circus shots, he’s virtually unstoppable.”
THIRD TEAM
Rui Hachimura, 6-8, 225, F, Jr., Gonzaga
20.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 47% 3-pointers
“Mismatch nightmare. Deadly down low against smaller defenders, and his off-block face-up game is as good as there is in college basketball. Has improved his 3-point shooting every year. Versatile, efficient and potent.”
Dedric Lawson, 6-8, 205, PF, Jr., Kansas
19.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg
“Not a great athlete and doesn’t move very fast, but knows how to use his size and body extremely well. Best low-block scorer in the Big 12. You had to double him on every catch in the post or he scored at will. He was also the best offensive rebounder in the league. You also thought it was your advantage when he shot 3s, but he had a unique ability to make timely ones.”
Carsen Edwards, 6-1, 200, G, Jr., Purdue
23.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg
“Dynamic scorer with great speed and quickness – reminds me of a cross between Allen Iverson and Russell Westbrook. He’s fearless.”
Kyle Guy, 6-2, 175, SG, Jr., Virginia
15.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 45% 3-pointers
“He’s very under-appreciated and that just shows you how good this UVA team is. De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome get more NBA looks, but Guy is the most efficient scorer on the team and probably the best shooter in the country. In my opinion, he should’ve been ACC Player of the Year.”
Sam Merrill, 6-5, 205, G, Jr., Utah State
21.0 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.9 rpg, 39% 3-pointers
“Merrill is as complete of a guard as there is in the country. He is obviously an elite shooter, but he also has ability to score at all three levels and see the floor like a point guard. In the end, what makes him great is he is a special competitor and always seems to play his best in the biggest moments.”
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Matisse Thybulle, 6-5, 200, G, Sr., Washington
“Phenomenal measurables for a guard playing at the top of that aggressive zone. 6-foot-6 height with a 7-foot plus wingspan. Unbelievable speed and instincts. He’s like a ballhawk safety in football. It is a nightmare for opponents – usually big guys – at the high post of that zone, knowing that he’s lurking behind you ready to poke, grab, deflect, steal and block the basketball.”
De’Andre Hunter, 6-7, 225, F, RS Soph., Virginia
“Length and strength.”
Brandon Clarke, 6-8, 215, PF, RS Jr., Gonzaga
“Can guard one to five. Can switch ball screens. Lateral quickness like a guard. Probably best shot blocker in college.”
Barry Brown Jr., 6-3, 185, G, Sr., Kansas State
“It starts with anticipation. He’s the best I’ve seen at getting off-ball steals. He’s extremely dialed in on his matchup beforehand. You can tell he’s watched tons of tape on players’ tendencies. Couple that with his competitive spirit and toughness, and he’s gonna be hard to score on.”
Zavier Simpson, 6-0, 190, PG, Jr., Michigan
“He has an incredible ability to stay low and move laterally on and off the ball and an overwhelming amount of mental toughness and grit that wears on opponents – and at the same time inspires his teammates. He dictates the flow of the opponent’s offense with his selective pressure and can play 1-on-1 late in the clock without much help.”
MID-MAJOR ALL-AMERICANS
Mike Daum, 6-9, 235, F, Sr., South Dakota State
25.3 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 37% 3-pointers
“In my 20 years of coaching mid-major basketball, Mike has been the most difficult player to defend. His size, skill and shooting range make him unbelievably dominant. And he’s a winner who wants the ball in his hands down the stretch and raises the level of play of the guys around him.”
Ja Morant, 6-3, 175, PG, Soph., Murray State
24.6 ppg, 10 apg, 5.5 rpg
“Great passer. Unbelievable vision and in-game feel with one of the best abilities to finish in the lane. Can drive it left or right and finish with either hand as well. Elite athlete too.”
Chris Clemons, 5-9, 180, G, Sr., Campbell
30 ppg, 5.1 rpg
“An elite scorer that literally produces from anywhere on the court – deep, transition, driving the ball. Most impressive is his ability to score at such a high level when every defense is singularly focused on frustrating his offense.”
Justin Wright-Foreman, 6-2, 190, G, Sr., Hofstra
26.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 44% 3-pointers
“He’s completely unguardable at times. There’s not a defense someone hasn’t tried and there isn’t a shot he can’t make. Sometimes you can go zone just hoping one of his teammates will shoot because you can’t stop him.”
C.J. Massinburg, 6-3, 195, Sr., Buffalo
18.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 42% 3-pointers
“One of the most clutch players I’ve ever coached against. Throughout his career, if the game is close with under five minutes to go, he has consistently taken over. Not only on the offensive end, but defensively and on the glass. His basketball IQ and competitiveness is off the charts. He is a great teammate and a guy that every team in the country would be better if he were on their roster.”
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