Top 5 Big 12 players to watch out for in 2024-25 college basketball season

The 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball season will begin on November 4, with the anticipation building up to fever-pitch because of the addition of Colorado, Utah, Arizona State and Arizona. These teams are replacing Oklahoma and Texas, who waved goodbye to the conference after the 2023-24 season.

Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, TCU, West Virginia, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston are still part of Big 12 and will take on the new squads in conference play.

Aside from the expanded group, the conference has a bumper crop of talents expected to stand out. With that in mind, here are the top five Big 12 players that college basketball fans should keep an eye on in the 2024-25 men's basketball season.

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Top 5 Big 12 players to watch out for in the 2024-25 NCAA Basketball season

#5. Jayden Quaintance, Arizona State Sun Devils

Jayden Quaintance is expected to be a part of Arizona State's rotation this season.

Jayden Quaintance is a five-star recruit ranked 16th nationally out of Word of God Christian Academy (North Carolina). The 6-foot-9 forward is expected to lead the Sun Devils' campaign alongside transfers BJ Freeman, Alston Mason and Basheer Jihad. The Bobby Hurley-coached team is making its debut in the Big 12 Conference after the dissolution of Pac-12.

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#4. V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor Bears

V.J. Edgecombe (center) battles for the rebound.

V.J. Edgecombe is one of the two ESPN 100 recruits that Baylor scooped up this season. The 6-foot-4 guard joins fellow freshman Robert Wright III in helping a retooled Bears squad. Highly-regarded transfers Jeremy Roach and Norchad Omier are also on their roster. Expectations are high for Scott Drew's mentored squad, which is looking to move past the Round of 32 and secure Baylor's second title in four years.

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#3. Caleb Love, Arizona Wildcats

Caleb Love will play for his fifth NCAA season with Arizona. He played his first three seasons for North Carolina.

Caleb Love has opted to forego his NBA draft eligibility to stay in Arizona for a fifth season. The 6-foot-4 guard looks to finish with a flourish for the Wildcats, who will play for the Big 12 for the first time. Last season, Love played for 36 games with the Wildcats and averaged 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

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#2. LJ Cryer, Houston Cougars

L.J. Cryer tallied 15.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 apg and 1.1 spg in 37 games for Houston.

L.J. Cryer was a solid contributor for the Cougars last season. Together with Jamal Shead and Emmanuel Sharp, Cryer formed an awesome backcourt combo that brought terror to the Big 12 and allowed Houston to capture the regular season conference crown and an appearance in the Sweet 16. He averaged 15.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 apg and 1.1 spg in 37 games and is expected to be the team's top offensive option in the upcoming season.

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#1. Tucker DeVries, West Virginia Mountaineers

DeVries averaged 21.6 ppg and 6.7 rpg during his last season with Drake.

Tucker DeVries transferred to West Virginia to follow his father, Darian, who was hired to coach the Mountaineers on March 24. The 6-foot-7 guard will bring his scoring abilities to the retooled squad and is expected to lead West Virginia this season. He averaged 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 34 games with Drake in the 2023-24 season.