With just two months left of waiting, college basketball could not come any sooner. Teams have worked all offseason to shore up their rosters and get ready for the 2024–25 season. Now that the transfer portal, which is essentially free agency, is over, here are my predictions for the All-America first team.
Guard Mark Sears, University of Alabama
The case for Sears is a pretty obvious one. The six-foot-one-inch scorer averaged 21 points per game while shooting over 43% from the three-point line for the Crimson Tide last season. Not only that, but Sears brought them to the Final Four, where they lost to the University of Connecticut, the eventual national champions. Don’t be surprised if he is also the National Player of the Year.
Guard R.J. Davis, University of North Carolina
Davis is the only player to return from the 2024 All-America first team and will now be in his fifth year at North Carolina. Again, it’s an easy pick. Like Sears, Davis averaged 21 points per game and helped the Tar Heels earn a No. 1 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. It’s hard to argue with that, and now he has more experience and a bigger role to play.
Wing Cooper Flagg, Duke University
While it has been pretty hit or miss with first-year recruits as of late, Flagg is one of the — if not the most — highly touted high schoolers of the last decade. The combination of his six-foot-nine-inch frame with his incredible scoring ability and knack for defense will make him a dominant force in the Atlantic Coast Conference this upcoming season. Not to mention he was holding his own when playing with the USA Select Team this summer against some of the best players in the world. This guy is going to be a lot of fun to watch and should be in the running for National Player of the Year.
Forward Johni Broome, Auburn University
After a very disappointing first round exit for the Auburn Tigers last year, Broome will be looking to get his revenge this year. The six-foot-ten-inch big man averaged 16 points and 8 rebounds per game last season, enough to earn a spot on the All-America third team. If Auburn can be one of the top teams in the country again, and Broome can continue to dominate the Southeastern Conference, I don’t see how he won’t find his way onto the first team this year.
Center Hunter Dickinson, University of Kansas
Averaging around 18 points and 11 boards per game last season, Dickinson continued his legacy as one of the better college centers in recent years. Although the Jayhawks had a rare dud of a season by their standards, partially due to injury, they have reloaded and given Dickinson what I believe is a stronger supporting cast. His defense is still a little concerning, but I do believe he has what it takes to make the All-America first team for the first time in his collegiate career.
Honorable Mention: Guard Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State University
With the development we saw from Lipsey in his sophomore season and the fact that the Cyclones are being projected as one of the best teams in the nation for this season, I feel that the Cyclone guard has a lot of potential to be one of the best floor generals in the country. He averaged about 12 points and 5 assists last year and I’m very confident that these numbers will only increase in 2025. Be on the lookout for Lipsey in November.
