We know who the standouts will be when college basketball returns next week. Zach Edey, Armando Bacot, and Hunter Dickinson— just to name a few. But what about the under-the-radar players? There are a lot of them this year, and I feel like I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t write about them. Without further adieu, here are the most underrated players for the 2023 college basketball season.
The Most Underrated College Basketball Players in 2023
Adem Bona, Forward, UCLA
Towering at 6’10, Adem Bona is a defensive demon. In his freshman season, Bona ranked 4th in the Pac-12 in blocks with 57, earning him a spot on the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. He is staunch under the rim and rarely lets up easy buckets. The reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Year has shut down bigs like Oumar Ballo of Arizona and Julian Reese of Maryland by staying composed and not letting his opponents dictate his play. Those who find themself matched up with Bona play the game at his speed, not theirs.
Bona is not the lengthiest center in the NCAA, but his hops are absolutely remarkable. In September, Bona logged a 38.5 inch running vertical jump. For comparison, the highest max vertical in this year’s NBA Draft Combine was 36 inches by Trayce Jackson Davis. Bona can definitely get up there. On the downside, Bona has a tendency to turn the ball over. This occurred 18% of the time when Bona had the ball, making him difficult to a reliable facilitator. His footwork could use some improvement and he shot a meager 57.3% from the charity stripe. However, with the losses of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark, and Amari Bailey, Bona’s time to shine is now. Expect 15+ double-doubles from Bona this season, and don’t be surprised if he leads the Bruins into a deep postseason run.
Kylan Boswell, Guard, Arizona
Kylan Boswell participated in the 2023 U19 World Cup where he averaged 6.4 points and 2.3 assists. Do not be alarmed by these numbers, as the players he was competing with for time were top-class. 2024 5-star recruits Dylan Harper and Tre Johnson were terrific during the tournament, as were Colorado freshman Cody Williams and Villanova Sophomore Mark Armstrong Jr.
Boswell lost out on crucial playing time, but that will not be the case for his Sophomore season. Boswell is a solid playmaking ball handler who starts at the 1 for Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats. He shot 39% from three in his Freshman season–an impressive number for any freshman. Over his final 6 games of the season, he was 11/17 from beyond the arch, but of course, was cut off by Princeton’s underdog win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Arizona is projected to be one of the fastest paced teams this year, adding speed and athleticism through the transfer portal while simultaneously maintaining a strong cast to support center Oumar Ballo. KenPom’s ratings already calculate the Wildcats as the fourth-fastest team in the NCAA. Expect Boswell to benefit from this, as the point man is typically the pusher in a fast-paced offense.
Mark Armstrong Jr, Guard, Villanova
Armstrong, one of the aforementioned U19 World Cup standouts, is a compelling candidate for the Big East 6th Man Award. The crafty guard averaged 12.4/2/2 at the World Cup, leading Team USA in points. Armstrong is the kind of athletic guard ‘Nova needs, as with a multitude of wings, Armstrong is really the only viable option at point. He is shifty and quick and finishes at the rim in such a smooth way, and has a huge opportunity to excel this year with a revamped squad under Kyle Neptune.
However, although his ceiling is high, his floor is pretty low. Armstrong is on the cusp of the starting 5, with Richmond transfer Tyler Burton at the 6, and could lose his starting role if his three point shooting does not improve. He shot a grim 24.6% last season, and 12% during the World Cup. I give him a pass, as he barely even played rotation minutes last year as a freshman–but it is the World Cup number that worries me. Nonetheless, look for Armstrong to play a big role on a Wildcat team without a true point guard.
Kel’el Ware, Forward, Indiana
Kel’el Ware transferred from Oregon this past spring and is a vital addition to Mike Woodson’s Hoosiers. In minimal playing time in Eugene, Ware averaged 6.6PPG and 4RPG. The only stat that pops out to the casual fan is his blocking. He blocked at an above-average rate of 8.8%, while finishing 6th in the Pac-12 in total blocks. However, Ware dropped 20 a game as a Senior in high school, so the Ducks obviously did not recruit him solely for his defensive capabilities.
The 7’0 big has a great height to weight ratio, and has the necessary strength to bully opposing bigs in the paint. Ware added 15 more pounds this past summer, per Woodson, transforming him into a legit scoring threat. He already excels in scoring in the post off the dribble. He loves to finish with a fadeaway or baby hook shot but simultaneously has enough power to throw it down. Ware also does not pass up open looks from three and possesses a reliable stroke. Do not be surprised if in 6 months time I am writing a similar piece on Ware–as out of the 4 players mentioned so far, Ware is the most NBA-ready.
Terrance Arceneaux, Guard, Houston
As a Freshman, Terrance Arceneaux truly “dipped his toes in the water.” He did not see the floor much and did not make much of an impact when he did. Yet, this is what makes him so intriguing. His potential is beyond the walls of the Fertitta Center, as his streakiness and sheer basketball ability make him a complete player. He is highly athletic at 6’6, reminiscent of Shai Gilgeous Alexander.
Arceneaux contains a smooth jumper and has plus potential from three. Being the athlete he is, Arceneaux puts back balls at a high clip. In fact, he finished in the 71st percentile in put back finishes in 2022-23. Terrance also finished 64% of his baskets at the rim last year–an incredibly high number for a wing of his stature.
Overall, his athleticism allows him to a flexible 6th man for Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars, playing the 1-4 positions constantly throughout last year. However, like every young player, he has room for improvement. In film, I have caught Arceneaux ball-watching nearly every possession. He can also be very lazy on the ball and off, resulting in turnovers and easy buckets for the opposing team. In spite of these negatives, there is more “good” than “bad” in his game. Keep an eye out for #23 this season on the court and on the draft boards.
