College basketball delivers an All-America season from a player whose existence in Division I basketball was little more than a whisper a year ago, but it also offers you just enough of the anticipated to feel familiar.
Three teams and the players that led them—Connecticut, Houston, and Purdue—ruled the regular season this year. Every brand had one player selected for our All-America first team.
Edey and Tyler Kolek returned to receive honors for a second season.
However, Knecht’s tale was the most captivating of all.
First Team All Americans
Dalton Knecht, 204, Sr. F., Tennessee 6-6
Important stats: 47.3 FG percentage, 4.8 rpg, 20.7 ppg, and 40.6 3-PT
Defining game: 92-84 victory over Auburn with 39 points, 5-of-8 3-PT shooting, and 3 steals.
Overview: In a time when the seemingly impossible has happened a lot in college basketball, the story of Dalton Knecht might be the most unbelievable one we’ve heard. (For example, two programs from non-power conferences making it to the Final Four). A year earlier, while Knecht was a player at Northern Colorado, he was named to the Big Sky second team. He is currently a first-team All-American and is likely having the second-best season of any athlete that was given consideration for this award. Two of his six 30-point performances came against opponents ranked in the top 10. His entry and subsequent rise drastically altered Tennessee’s postseason prospects.
RJ Davis, 6-0, 180, Senior G, North Carolina
Important data: 21.7 pct, 3.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, and 21.5 ppg. 3-PG
Defining performance: a 75-71 victory over Miami with 42 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals.
Overview: Davis established his reputation in the current season with a run of five straight games with more than 25 points, all against significant opponents, after requiring some time to get used to the new dynamic with the Tar Heels. His rise has been confirmed by scoring explosions like his 36 points against Wake Forest, 25 against Miami, and 24 that helped the Heels overcome a shaky first half at Florida State. It was evident from that time in December that he would be among this season’s finest players. Davis is not as much of a main creator these days, but he can still fill that role when called upon. He complies with the Heels’ request that he destroy defenses with buckets.
Zach Edey, Purdue
7-4, 300, Sr. C
Key stats: 62.3 percent, 2.2 bpg, 11.7 rpg, and 24.1 ppg for the FG.
Defining game: 105-96 OT victory over Northwestern with 30 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, and 11-of-14 FG.
Overview: In a home game against Wisconsin that ended the season, Edey recorded a scorching 25 points and 14 rebounds. You know what that was? The day was marginally better than usual. He is so powerful that it is almost hard for him to do something that would surprise people. In every game, he scored ten or more points, and in 22 of the team’s thirty-one games, he scored at least twenty. It’s the curse of the big men that many fans believe it’s easier for a player like that to become great.Permit me to draw attention to the fact that this season’s major-conference basketball team featured two taller players who averaged 7.3 points. Together. No one, no matter their stature, can easily perform what Edey is doing.
Tristen Newton, Connecticut
6-5, 195, Senior G
Key metrics: 5.8 apg, 7.1 rpg, and 15.0 ppg.
Defining performance: a 78-54 victory over Villanova with 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Overview: There is a lot of skill at UConn. Cam Spencer, a shooting guard, and Newton were the two players selected to the All-Big East team. They weren’t even the guy who was a prolific scorer from the outside in last year’s Final Four (forward Alex Karaban), or the two who are clear first-round picks in whatever NBA Draft they enter (wing Steph Castle and center Donovan Clingan). Newton is the one who, more than coach Dan Hurley, ties everything together. Although his ascent isn’t quite as noteworthy as Knecht’s, there were numerous people (yes, including me, but in my defense there were also some within the pondering whether the Huskies of last season had a point guard worthy of a championship for their roster worthy of a championship. It was never the same once Newton turned the switch. He assumed leadership of the offense. The Huskies were a huge hit at the NCAAs. They are in a position to repeat it now.
Jamal Shead, Houston
6-0, 180, Senior G
Key statistics: 3.9 rpg, 6.2 apg, 2.3 spg, and 13.2 ppg.
Defining game: a 77-54 victory over Texas Tech with 29 points, 10 assists, and 12-of-16 shooting.
Overview: Fran Fraschilla, who served as ESPN’s main Big 12 Conference basketball analyst for many years, regards Shead as one of the best leaders he has ever worked with in his roles as a broadcaster and coach. On the best defensive team in collegiate basketball, Shead is the top player on defense. Furthermore, he has shown that he can light it up when it’s necessary with his 10 games of more than 15 points. Houston has a lot going for it, including one of the top coaches in the business, but without Shead in charge, it would not be in this position. Houston’s history. Since 2021–22, Shead is 94–13, 5-2 in the NCAAs as a starting point guard.
