College Basketball: Top 5 returning players to watch in 2016

Feb 11, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) controls the ball against California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) during the second half at Haas Pavilion. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon Ducks 83-63. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 2, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward O.G. Anunoby (3) leads a break against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Indiana defeated Nebraska 79-69. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

3. OG Anunoby, F – Indiana (Sophomore)

If you haven’t fully been paying attention to college basketball over the past year, you’re probably asking why there’s a sophomore on this list that played 13.7 minutes per game last season for Indiana and averaged under five points per game. Under normal circumstances, that would be an entirely fair question. Those numbers don’t exactly scream must-watch player. Of course, OG Anunoby isn’t a normal case by any stretch of the imagination and he’s going to make the Hoosiers can’t-miss in 2016-17.

After being overlooked almost entirely as a recruit, Anunoby was stuck playing behind Troy Williams in Bloomington last season. With Williams now departed, the sophomore forward is in line for a substantial increase in his role and that should promise a stunning reel of highlights. To put it simply and frankly, Anunoby is an absolute freak when it comes to his athletic ability, length, and potential.

Standing at 6-8, Anunoby has absurd length that aids him both as a defender and as a scorer, either taking his jumper or getting to the rim. What’s more, though, is that Anunoby can flat-out fly and make ridiculous plays with his quickness. He possesses the physical tools that NBA scouts drool over, but also has developing skills that make him exponentially more dangerous. As he becomes accustomed to the larger role and continues taking steps forward in his development, this could be an absolute mixtape-worthy season for Anunoby.