Returning B10 Player Rankings #19 - #15
October 4, 2023
Image is property of the Detroit Free Press
Previous Rankings: Honorable Mention, #25 – #20
Welcome back to our 2023-2024 B1G Returning Player Rankings. This is the third release and will cover players ranked #19 – #15. Our next release will cover the players ranked 14th – 11th, and our final release will cover the top ten ranked players in the Big Ten.
These rankings are based on prior season statistics, as well as projected opportunity for the upcoming season. There are several immediate impact freshmen – such as Mackenzie Mbako, Xavier Booker, Deshawn Harris Smith, and Gavin Griffiths among others – who will certainly have a chance to crack the top 25 player threshold throughout the year. However, for this exercise we did not include incoming freshmen. The talented newcomers will get their own article in the coming weeks.
#19: Julian Reese Maryland
Jr. – F – 6’9” 230lbs
11.4ppg 7.2rpg 1.2bpg
Julian Reese took another solid step in his progression as a B1G post last season as a sophomore. He nearly managed to double his production in all statistical categories from his freshman year with increased minutes (17.7 minutes per game to 27 minutes per game). Reese still has a few areas where he can improve his game, including limiting his fouling. Last season, he fouled 3.3 times per game while playing 27 minutes per game. Maryland doesn’t have a ton of post depth, so they will need him to stay out of foul trouble. Reese got to the line much more often last year (1.6 attempts/game his freshman season vs 4 attempts/game last year), however his percentage dropped from 80.4% to 53.3%. This will be another key area of his game to look for improvement in.
Even if he doesn’t improve in these areas, Reese’s floor is still a top half Big Ten post. His athleticism provides him with the opportunity to be a rim running screener for Jahmir Young, a solid rebounder, and a defensive stopper downlow at the very least. Physically, he should be able to play over 30 minutes per game as he is by no means a lumbering big man. If he can figure out the fouling issue this season, watch for his numbers to take another solid jump.
#18: AJ Storr Wisconsin
So. – G – 6’7” 205lbs
8.8ppg 1.9rpg 40.4% 3PT
In the 2022-2023 season, the Badgers seemingly missed a dynamic 3 level scorer on the wing. Greg Gard hopes that St John’s sophomore transfer AJ Storr is that guy. Last year – in only 21.1 minutes per game – Storr managed an overall efficient 8.8ppg on over 40% 3PT shooting (albeit on only 2.8 attempts per game). He also has solid athleticism, size, and has a solid offensive skillset inside of the arc to compliment his 3PT shooting. Over the last 13 games of his freshman season, he really started to come on strong averaging 12.7ppg.
He has yet to be the focal point of an offense, so it could be interesting to see how other Big Ten teams scout him during conference play if he does take on an alpha role for the Badgers. However, concerns in this area should be minimal considering the number of solid returnees on the team’s roster and the help they should be able to provide. A few years ago, Coach Gard had a sophomore wing explode into B1G Player of the Year. Is that type of jump in the cards for AJ Storr? Regardless, his progression will be fascinating to watch as he transitions from an up-tempo St. Johns team to a much more methodical style of the play in Madison.
#17: Keisei Tominaga Nebraska
Sr. – G – 6’2” 179lbs
13.1ppg 40% 3PT 5.2 3PA
Tominaga is on this list because he is a pure bucket getter, specifically from beyond the arc. We wouldn’t have a problem with anyone calling him the best shooter in the conference and one of the best shooters in the country. When he gets going, Pinnacle Bank Arena and Husker fans get loud. Tominaga was electric at the end of last season when he averaged 20.3ppg on 43% 3PT shooting (over 7 attempts per game).
For Nebraska to build upon their improvement from last year, the Huskers will need Keisei to be the gunslinger he was down the stretch of last season, and he should have the ultimate green light from Hoiberg. He’s never been a great defender – so it’s hard to move him up a lot more on this list for now – but if Tominaga carries Nebraska to the upper half of the B1G, then he will certainly have a case.
#16: Jaden Akins Michigan State
Jr. – G – 6’4” 190lbs
9.8ppg 4rpg 42.2% 3PT
Jaden Akins may be the most overlooked guard in the conference. It’s hard not to overlook him when he’s playing with what should be one of the best backcourts in the country in Tyson Walker and AJ Hoggard. But Akins might be the glue that holds everything together on both sides of the ball in East Lansing this upcoming season. Offensively, he is a great 3PT shooter (career 41% from 3), and excels in transition where he can utilize his supreme athleticism (see GIF above). It was mentioned that he’s also put on about 20 pounds since last season, and maybe that helps his finishing at the rim in the half court offense. Defensively, he’s one of the best guard/wing defenders in the conference.
Overall, he’s one of the better guards in this conference, who just happens to be behind two more great guards on the team’s hierarchy. The big question this season will again be his usage. How much opportunity will he get behind Walker and Hoggard, especially with heralded freshmen Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr added to the mix? We would bet on Akins taking a step this year, especially if he’s completely healthy coming off of his foot injury last year.
#15: Xavier Johnson Indiana
RS Sr. – G – 6’3” 200lbs
9.9ppg 4.9apg 37% 3PT
Xavier Johnson seems to be a polarizing player among B1G fans and circles. He had a fantastic end to his junior season in 2021-2022, decimating defenses in Trayce Jackson-Davis pick and rolls enroute to 16.6ppg 6.6apg 4rpg and 45% 3PT shooting over his final 10 games. As the hype rolled in for the 2022-2023 Hoosiers, so did the hype for Johnson. The individual hype never quite materialized as he suffered a season ending foot injury at Kansas before he could ever get in a rhythm. Eventual 1st round draft pick freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino promptly took over starting point guard duties and the team seemed to flourish.
The big question for XJ this year will be the health of his foot. Assuming he is healthy, the Hoosiers desperately need him to be special. Trey Galloway is the only other proven backcourt commodity Mike Woodson has at his disposal. Unless one of the freshmen guards (we consider Mackenzie Mbako as more of a 4/3) emerges as a major contributor in year one, XJ is going to have to lead this team to the tournament. He should have plenty of options to feed in the post – and we are particularly excited to see pick and rolls with athletic big man Kel’el Ware. XJ is going to have so much usage this season, that it’s almost hard to not see him having the production to make an All B1G team if it’s a successful season in Bloomington.
Agree with these rankings or have anything you would change up? Leave us a comment down below or Tweet at us. Also, make sure to keep your eyes out for our upcoming article in this serieis which will feature the #14 – #11 rankings.
All media in this post are coyright of the Big Ten Conference, Big Ten Network, ESPN, FOX Sports, and CBS. The G1G Bounce does not claim any of these media posts as property of its own.