Cooper Flagg, Mark Sears, and RJ Davis headline the AP preseason All-America team, showcasing their significant impact on college basketball. Their decisions to return for another season have not only bolstered their individual prospects but have also elevated their teams in the rankings.
Sears and Davis’s return has propelled their respective teams into the top-10 of the AP Top 25, while both players have received notable preseason accolades. They are joined by Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, Auburn forward Johni Broome, Arizona guard Caleb Love, and Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. The inclusion of Love and Flagg in the final spot creates a six-man team composed entirely of players from the ACC, Big 12, and SEC.
Last season, Sears was instrumental in leading the Crimson Tide to their inaugural Final Four appearance, contributing significantly to one of the highest-scoring teams in college basketball. The 6-foot-1 guard earned a second-team AP All-American nod, averaging 21.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He made history as the first Division I player in over three decades to achieve 795 points, 150 rebounds, 145 assists, and 95 three-pointers in a single season, while also setting an Alabama record with 26 games scoring at least 20 points.
Sears worked out for NBA scouts during the offseason but ultimately chose to return, helping Alabama secure a No. 2 ranking in the preseason AP Top 25. “I saw the team that we had and I wanted to be a part of it, and bring home Alabama’s first national championship in basketball,” he expressed.
Meanwhile, at rival Auburn, Broome quickly announced his decision to return for a fifth season after weighing his options in April. The 6-foot-10 forward was recognized as a third-team AP All-American last year, averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while boasting a shooting percentage of nearly 55%. Focused on enhancing his perimeter shooting, Broome’s return has helped Auburn achieve a No. 11 preseason ranking.
“My main goal is a team goal, which is to win the national championship, to make it as far as I can in March Madness,” Broome stated. “When a team shines, everyone shines individually.”
Davis, like Sears, has high aspirations after opting to return for his fifth season at North Carolina. The 6-foot guard was named an AP All-American last season and was the ACC Player of the Year, averaging 21.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on a team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. He is now on track to challenge former North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough’s all-time ACC scoring record.
At Duke, Flagg stands out as the only underclassman on the preseason All-America team, arriving with considerable expectations. The 6-foot-9 swingman, who was the top-rated high school recruit from Newport, Maine, is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. His unique skill set allows him to excel both as a guard and inside, and he has focused on improving his perimeter shooting.
Flagg is part of a stellar recruiting class that has No. 7 Duke aiming for a strong March performance.
Dickinson’s transfer from Michigan to Kansas was one of the most significant moves in the offseason. The 7-foot-2 center delivered on expectations, averaging 17.9 points and 10.9 rebounds and leading the Jayhawks back to the NCAA Tournament. His return, alongside a wave of talented transfers, has positioned Kansas as the No. 1 team heading into the season that starts on November 4.
Caleb Love’s decision to stay for a second season at No. 10 Arizona has heightened expectations for the program, a Big 12 rival of Kansas. The athletic 6-foot-4 guard had a remarkable scoring career at North Carolina and continued to shine after transferring to Arizona last season. He was named Pac-12 Player of the Year and a third-team All-American, averaging 18 points per game and hitting 92 three-pointers.
After testing the NBA waters this summer, Love opted to return. “He’s had a very successful college career thus far,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd noted. “He’s kind of this last generation of player that’s going to get better with this extra year, and so I just encourage him to take advantage of it.”
