Top 5 elite guards to watch in 2024-25 college basketball season ft. RJ Davis 

The college basketball offseason has seen significant changes this summer, from complete roster disruptions to changes in top coaching personnel. However, the teams are now set for the 2024-25 season and practices have begun.

Some eye UConn's three-peat, some anticipate Cooper Flagg living up to his hype in Duke, while others want their favorite returning players to boost up their stocks for the next level.

Here's a closer look at the top guards in the nation that could have a significant impact throughout the 2024-25 college basketball season.

5 best guards in 2024-25 college basketball season

#5. Braden Smith – Purdue Boilermakers

Smith will enter his junior year with the Boilermakers this year. While Zach Edey made most of the headlines from Matt Painter's championship game run last season, Braden Smith posted a breakout season.

The 6-foot guard played a program record of 1,327 minutes to average 12.0 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals while making more than 43% of his shots from the floor and 3-point line.

#4. Dylan Harper – Rutgers

Harper is a top-three recruit in the class of 2024 behind his consistency in the high school circuit. He can impose his 6-foot-6 frame and strong build on both ends of the floor. He displayed his ability as a primary scorer/playmaker in the EYBL. Moreover, being a combo guard, Harper can also act as a situational role player, as reflected by his Team USA U19 stint.

Additionally, he will have a lot of help this year with Rutgers as he pairs up with the second-best prospect in the 2024 cycle, Ace Bailey.

#3. Wade Taylor IV – Texas A&M Aggies

The 6-foot guard topped his 2022-23 season, which was assumed to be a breakout, this year. He averaged 19.1 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.5 rpg and 1.8 spg through 36 games for the Aggies. Moreover, he showcased that he can raise his production during high-intensity stretches.

#2. RJ Davis – North Carolina Tar Heels

Davis is returning for his last year of college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He was the program’s scoring leader last season, averaging 21.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.2 spg while making nearly 40% from 3-point land.

Moreover, Davis was named one of the four best players in the current college basketball circuit by more than 100 Division I coaches.

#1. Mark Sears – Alabama Crimson Tide

Sears was the leader on Alabama’s 2023-24 crew that made it to its first-ever Final Four and will be expected to do the same this year. He had earlier declared for the NBA draft but chose to withdraw early and capitalize on his final year of eligibility.

The 6-foot-1 Sears averaged 21.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.0 apg and 1.6 spg while shooting over 56% from the floor and 43.6% from 3.

Which guards are you most excited about seeing in action next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.