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The Big 10 Conference has become bigger and better with the addition of four Pac-12 squads in USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington that will compete with the 14 teams that are already in the group's roster. The 18-team field will fight for college basketball supremacy as the new season starts on Nov. 4.
The conference will also be the new home of marquee collegiate stars and amazing high school prospects who seek to contribute immediately for the glory of their new schools. There are five noteworthy players college basketball fans should keep an eye on in the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season.
Here are the five Big 10 players fans should watch out for in the coming season.
Top five Big 10 players to watch out for in 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season
#5 Derik Queen, Maryland Terrapins
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Derik Queen is the No. 8-ranked prospect in the high school rankings. The six-foot-10 Montverde Academy standout chose Maryland over Indiana, Kansas and Houston.
Queen has scored over 20 points and 10 rebounds in multiple games with Montverde. In 2022, he scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the team to a 66-62 win over Sunrise Christian Academy. Last year, he posted 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 17-point victory over IMG Academy.
Queen will bring a solid inside presence in scoring and rebounding for the Terrapins, who were not chosen to compete in the NCAA Tournament after finishing with a 16-17 record.
#4 Dylan Harper, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Dylan Harper is one of the two top-5 prospects Rutgers netted this season. The Don Bosco Prep standout was a five-star recruit who averaged 22.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in his senior season with the Ironmen.
The son of former NBA star Ron Harper was the Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player of the McDonald's All-American Game. He chose Rutgers over Duke, Kansas, Indiana and Auburn.
Harper and fellow freshman Airious Bailey are expected to help the Scarlet Knights improve on its 15-17 record this past season.
#3 Great Osobor, Washington Huskies
Great Osobor was one of the sought-after power forwards on the transfer portal. Danny Sprinkle was fortunate enough to acquire him and beef up Washington on its Big 10 debut this season.
Osobor, a six-foot-eight bruiser out of Bradford, England averaged 17.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg while shooting 57.7% from the field this past season for Utah State.
Osobor is expected to team up with fellow transfer Chris Conway in the post. He will be the top offensive option inside the paint for the Huskies in the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season.
#2 Airious Bailey, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Airious "Ace" Bailey is ranked No. 2 in the ESPN 100 high school prospect rankings.
The McEachern High School standout averaged 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per game in his senior year. He was chosen to play in the 2024 McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoops Summit.
He's expected to pair with fellow rookie Dylan Harper in the Scarlet Knights offensive attack in the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season.
#1 Oumar Ballo, Indiana Hoosiers
Oumar Ballo will bring his scoring and rebounding skills to Indiana as he transferred from Arizona. The seven-footer averaged 12.9 ppg and 10.1 rpg with the Wildcats this past season, as he's expected to man the paint for the Hoosiers under coach Mike Woodson.
Ballo will help the offense with his inside game but he will be primarily used on the defensive end to grab rebounds and block shots. He averaged 6.6 defensive rebounds and shot 65.8% from the field in the 2023-24 season.
Will Rutgers improve their record this season with top freshman recruits Dylan Harper and Airious Bailey reinforcing their squad? Let's know your views in the comments section:
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