As college basketball season approaches, CBS Sports writer Isaac Trotter has identified the top players across multiple positions. Among those recognized are four players from the Kentucky Wildcats.
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Zoom Diallo has been highlighted as an initiator point guard. Expected to start for Kentucky, Diallo averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists per game last season. Analysts suggest that if he successfully involves key teammates like combo guard Alex Wilkins, forward Milan Momcilovic, and center Malachi Moreno, his assist averages could rise to six or seven per game.
Alex Wilkins is included in the combo guard category. After an impressive freshman year at Furman, where he nearly led the Paladins to an upset against UConn in the NCAA Tournament, Wilkins averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists per game. His versatility in both scoring and playmaking could prove critical for Kentucky.
Milan Momcilovic was named the top off-ball wing after a strong showing at Iowa State, where he averaged 16.9 points while shooting 50.6% overall and 48.7% from three-point range on 7.5 attempts per game. If he maintains this efficiency, he could emerge as one of the standout players in college basketball this season.
Lastly, Malachi Moreno was recognized as a true 5. Last season, he averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, shooting 58.2% from the field. Moreno's strong performance nearly led him to remain in the NBA Draft, but he opted to return to Kentucky to enhance his draft stock.
The inclusion of these four Wildcats in Trotter's list brings optimism to Kentucky fans as they look forward to a promising season, hoping to lead the team deep into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season.