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College Basketball: Top 5 returning players to watch in 2016

By Cody Williams

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
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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Feb 13, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) dribbles against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2nd half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports Stanford won 76-72.
Feb 13, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) dribbles against the Stanford Cardinal in the 2nd half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports Stanford won 76-72. /

2. Dillon Brooks, F – Oregon (Junior)

Again returning to the theme of youth vs. experience, the top three teams in the preseason poll (Duke, Kentucky, Kansas) all feature star freshman. Behind them at No. 4 and No. 5, though, are the Villanova Wildcats and Oregon Ducks. In contrast, these two teams are led by upper-classmen and returning players that have been through the ringer, March Madness, and the grind of a college basketball season before. And there’s no one better in that bunch for Villanova and Oregon than Ducks junior forward Dillon Brooks.

Frankly, there are a number of players from both teams that could’ve qualified for this list. Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins of the defending national champions are both stars. Meanwhile, Brooks’ teammates in Tyler Dorsey and Chris Boucher are all fantastic. However, Brooks stands as the leader and the star of the entire lot.

As a sophomore leading the Ducks to the Elite Eight last season, Brooks was phenomenal. He finished the year putting up 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, all while hitting an impressive 47 percent of his shots. In every facet of the game, Brooks simply gets the job done.

While Brooks may not be the freak-athlete that a player like Anunoby is and may not be a deadeye shooter with his jumper, he’s still a joy to watch. He’s a player that feels like he has a hand in every play that he’s on the floor for. Moreover, he’s another guy unafraid of having the rock when the game’s on the line. Expect Oregon to right be back in the thick of it in 2016-17 and Brooks will be the catalyst.