Players to Watch in the 2019-20 College Basketball Season

Quentin Grimes, Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson led the Cougars to the N.C.A.A. tournament’s round of 16 last season and with Grimes, the former Kansas guard, now eligible after receiving a waiver that allows him to play immediately, they could get back there again. A silky smooth guard, the 6-5 Grimes averaged 8.4 points for the Jayhawks last season and his presence should make Houston — not Memphis — the team to beat in the American Athletic Conference.

Kerry Blackshear, Florida This 6-10 graduate transfer from Virginia Tech is a major reason many observers believe the Gators can unseat Kentucky at the top of the Southeastern Conference. “He’s an interior scorer who can also stretch the defense. He’s stronger than he looks and guys bounce off of him all the time,” said Florida Coach Mike White. Blackshear was the Hokies’ best player against Duke in the round of 16 last season (18 points, 16 rebounds) and should immediately help Florida with his overall feel for the game.

Nate Sestina, Kentucky Sestina made 41 3-point shots and shot 38.0 percent from behind the 3-point line last season at Bucknell before graduating and heading to Lexington. A 6-9 forward, he is leaner and quicker than he was as an undergraduate, and will add some needed shooting and experience to Kentucky’s frontcourt, which lost Reid Travis and P.J. Washington to the N.B.A.

Chris Clarke, Texas Tech Clarke did not play for Virginia Tech after he was suspended for the season for reasons the university never revealed, but he is back and returns as one of the best small-ball big men in the country. He might be a perfect fit in Lubbock with Coach Chris Beard.

Quade Green, Washington A former five-star recruit, Green could have transferred anywhere when he left Kentucky last December. He opted to head to Seattle, where he will become Washington’s primary point guard. Green’s play will go a long way in determining if the Huskies can challenge for another Pac-12 regular season title.

Source: The New York Times

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