Wednesday’s Mass Exodus Leaves College Hoops Searching For New Stars

In a matter of 24 hours, it seems like college hoops lost almost all of its biggest names. Kentucky lost five players to the NBA draft. SN Player of the Year Evan Turner declared, too. While none of that was a great surprise, a quick look at our All-Americans from this year leaves you to wonder who is actually left in the college ranks to fill in for this missing star power.↵↵The entire Sporting News first team has either declared or graduated. The same can be said for the entire second team, except for Syracuse’s Wesley Johnson, but he’s also expected to declare. Third teamer Jordan Crawford also declared on Wednesday.↵

↵↵In fact, of the five SN All-American teams, only the following players are set to return at this point: Jimmer Fredette, Jacob Pullen, Darington Hobson and Austin Freeman. (VT’s Malcolm Delaney has declared, but has yet to hire an agent.)↵

↵↵Not among those All-Americans, but likely to contend for a spot: Duke’s Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, Butler’s Gordon Hayward, any of Purdue’s big three (JaJuan Johnson, Robbie Hummel or E’Twaun Moore), Baylor’s LaceDarius Dunn (if he stays in school), North Carolina’s Ed Davis (if he stays), Gonzaga’s Elias Harris, Georgetown’s Greg Monroe (if he stays), Memphis’ Elliot Williams (if he stays), West Virginia’s Devin Ebanks (if he stays), Richmond’s Kevin Anderson, Michigan State’s Kalin Lucas, Washington’s Isaiah Thomas, Florida’s Kenny Boynton, Syracuse’s Kris Joseph, Ole Miss’ Terrico White (if he stays), Tennessee’s Scotty Hopson (if he stays), Florida State’s Solomon Alabi (if he stays).↵

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↵↵If I was putting together a team today, I’d probably roll with these five: Hayward, Pullen, Smith, Fredette, Monroe. If Monroe goes pro, I’d slide Harris into his spot. Who are your five to start next season?↵

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