The Big Ten has always had prominent playmakers at several different positions. That is no different during the 2024-25 season thus far. If you look up and down all 18 teams in the league, you can find someone making big plays. With the 2024 part of the schedule closing, it’s time to look closely at some of the biggest Big Ten surprise playmakers. These players could be impactful transfer players or even some undervalued freshmen. Or even in some cases, a player who has been at a school for several years and is finally getting the chance to showcase their talent.
Without further delay here are some players that should be fun to keep an eye on going forward this season.
Biggest Big Ten Suprise Playmakers So Far This Season
Wisconsin’s John Tonje
Sure, John Tonje was pretty well-regarded after transferring from Missouri and Colorado State before that. Tonje has posted some eyebrow-raising stats, to say the least. That includes a 41-point performance in a win against Arizona. He has scored double-figures in 13 of the Badgers’ 14 games so far this season. Tonje has been a huge surprise playmaker this season. He could easily play his way onto an All-Big Ten team come season’s end.
John Tonje is playing like an All-American candidate this season.
Took a medical redshirt at Missouri in 2023-24, then transferred to Wisconsin.
Has led Wisco into the top 25 with wins over Arizona, Pitt, and UCF.
We take a look at his jump 👇 pic.twitter.com/gLIEBNRe8A
— GREENLIGHT MEDIA (@greenlightbball) December 13, 2024
Ohio State’s Devin Royal
Devin Royal has to be one of the most important players that head coach Jake Diebler was able to keep. Royal could have transferred like many of his former teammates, but he stayed loyal. The Buckeyes are benefitting from the huge step he has made this season. He’s easily become the Buckeyes’ top scorer behind Bruce Thornton. With an average of 14.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, Royal is one of the top sophomore playmakers in the Big Ten.
Devin Royal finished tonight’s matchup against Valparaiso with a career-best 31 points and 15 rebounds for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
pic.twitter.com/BlGx3QZs88— The Ohio State Hoops Insider (@OSUHoopsInsider) December 18, 2024
Penn State’s Yanic Konan Niederhauser
Penn State had plenty of hope with a strong returning lineup, led by Ace Baldwin Jr. He’s been a great floor general, but Yanic Konan Niederhauser has been the biggest surprise playmaker that the Nittany Lions have needed. The Northern Illinois transfer has proven he’s a top-level Big Ten player thus far. His average of 13 points and nearly six rebounds has helped Penn State to a 10-2 start to the season.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser had 18 points, 6 boards, & 3 blocks in Penn State’s win today.
They’re now 10-2 this season. In games Niederhauser has played 20+ minutes, they’re 7-1.
In those 8, the 7-0 junior is avg. 15.8 points, 6.3 boards, 2.3 blocks, & shooting 58-71 (81.7%) FG. pic.twitter.com/GSYygGDYIm
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) December 22, 2024
Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler and Szymon Zapala
Michigan State needed a big step in its post play, and they are getting that from both Jaxon Kohler and Szymon Zapala. Kohler has been huge with his herculean effort at both ends of the floor, and Zapala using his 7-foot frame to impact at the defensive end. It gives others like Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson, along with the rest of Tom Izzo’s genius lineup to make magic happen.
"I was trying to find a place where I share personal values with the team, and I was fortunate to find it here."
All-Access with @szymon_zapala pic.twitter.com/QurmooLZsx
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) December 10, 2024
Kohler’s average of 8.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game has put him among one of the most important role players that the Big Ten has to offer. Not to mention watching Kohler can give A.J. Granger vibes, and he was a huge part of the Spartan’s 2000 National Championship, which remains the Big Ten’s most recent title.
The Big Ten leaders in RAPM, our 'all-in-one' metric:
1. Rodney Rice, Maryland
2. Derik Queen, Maryland
3. Eric Dailey Jr., UCLA
4. Ace Baldwin Jr., Penn St.
5. Jaxon Kohler, Michigan St. pic.twitter.com/RvINenYxWW— CBB Analytics (@CBBAnalytics) December 27, 2024
Nebraska’s Brice Williams
Nebraska once again struck gold in the transfer portal as they were able to grab Brice Williams from the Charlotte 49ers before the 2023-24 season. He’s increased his 13.4 scoring average from last season to nearly 20 points per game. He delivered for the Huskers during their Holiday trip to Hawaii for the Diamond Head Classic, as he scored 32 against Hawaii in the semifinal before scoring 25 to lead Nebraska to win the event over Oregon State. Williams garnered MVP honors for the event. He certainly gives coach Fred Hoiberg a go-to scorer, much like Keisei Tominaga was last season.
4PT Stats: Nebraska guard Brice Williams dropped 25 points, grabbed 7 boards, and dished 4 assists in a win over Oregon State.
Williams has helped lead the Cornhuskers to a 10-2 record and the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Championship. He’s averaging nearly 20 points… pic.twitter.com/8p1u5bu4mb
— 4PT (@4PlayingTime) December 26, 2024
