NBA Draft Watch: 2018-2019 College Basketball All-Americans

Brandon Clarke of Gonzaga had an All-American caliber year
(Photo Credit: Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review)

The college basketball season is quickly coming to a close as after today the only portion of the 2018-2019 campaign that remains is the NCAA Tournament to make the mark on this year's version of March Madness. While eligible teams and players have an opportunity during the post-season to make an everlasting mark on this season during the month of March, the regular season schedule which began in early-November offered individuals across college basketball four full months to make an impact and impress opposing players, coaches, analysts, and fans from across the country.

Down below Matt's Draft Journal presents the players whose play throughout the course of the season felt most deserving of recognition, distinguishing themselves amongst their peers in the sport of college basketball as All-Americans.

With two lists of six players each earning All-American accolades and eight others receiving honorable mention honors, 20 players in total will receive acknowledgment.

Additionally, an all-defensive team has been drawn to determine those most worthy for their effort on that end of the floor, with two individual awards in the name of Most Outstanding Player and Defensive Player of the Year rounding out the realization of those for their impressive production.

1st Team All-American

• Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga

A transfer from San Jose State, Brandon Clarke entered the season expected to be a contributor on one of the best teams in college basketball and unexpectedly ended the season as one of the best players in all of college basketball for the country's current top-ranked team. The 6'8, 215-pound forward averaged 16.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in under 30 minutes (27.6) and led the country in field goal percentage at 69.3. He also added 1.2 steals and 3.0 blocks for good measure.

• Mike Daum, South Dakota State

Admittedly it is difficult to draw attention in the diagram of college basketball playing for a low-major team tucked away in the Dakotas, but Mike Daum did exactly that starring at South Dakota State. Surpassing a number of significant names in college basketball history the 6'9 senior forward currently ranks 9th all-time in career points with 3,042. This season he surfaced with a stat-line of 25.3 points (5th in the country) and 11.7 rebounds (4th), shooting 51.1 FG% and sinkings two 3's (36.8 3P%) per game.

• Ja Morant, Murray State

One of the most electrifying players in the country, Ja Morant was equally just as productive with his play during the season for Murray State. A 6'3 sophomore point guard, he led the country in assists per game with 10, while also putting up a healthy amount of points at 24.6 per game (8th in the country). Pacing the Racers to an OVC regular season and tournament championship crown with a 27-4 record he set the school's all-time assists record in just two seasons and has already surpassed the 1,000 point-setting (1,168).

• Grant Williams, Tennessee 

Coming off a sophomore season when he won SEC Player of the Year, Williams elevated his game to another level, at times looking like the best player in the country for a team that spent a large part of the season as the best team in the country. A physical presence in the painted-area and playmaker from outside the 6'7, 236-pound forward averaged 19.2 points (52 FG%, 83.3 FT%), 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Making an impact across the board in almost every game for a team that went 27-4 in the regular season, spent four weeks ranked #1 in the country, and will play in the SEC Championship Final later today.

• Zion Williamson, Duke

A dominant force for Duke, freshman Zion Williamson enjoyed a legendary season in what will likely be his lone year at the college level. Even in missing a handful of games to end the regular season the 6'7, 285-pound human version of Halley's Comet put together arguably the best overall season in the modern college basketball era. Shooting a ridiculous 69.3 percent from the field, the lefty forward set the record for player efficiency rating (PER) in college basketball at 42.0. In 29 games he averaged 22.1 points 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks, coming back from a knee injury to lead Duke to the ACC Tournament Championship title.

• Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Tasked with taking control of a team that saw two of its players from the previous season propel to the NBA as lottery picks, Cassius Winston steered the ship for Tom Izzo's Michigan State squad. Piloting Michigan State to a regular season Big Ten Championship and appearance in the conference tournament championship later today against Michigan, the 6'1 point guard put up 19.0 points (4th in Big Ten), 3.2 rebounds, 7.5 assists (1st), and 1 steal. He shot well across the board 47.5/40.8/83.7 (FG%, 3P%, FT%) and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.58.

2nd Team All-American

• RJ Barrett, Duke

It is almost blasphemous to not recognize Barrett as a first-team selection, still, the 6'7 wing was outstanding regardless and at any given time this season was one of a handful of the best players in the country. Serving up at least 30 points in 6 games, the freshman from Canada led the ACC in scoring 22.9 per game, adding 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 35 minutes. His consistent competent production helped propel the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament Championship, with a 29-5 record and possible number one seed in midst of March Madness.

• Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga

A steady force for presently the premier team in college basketball, Hachimura was arguably as good as anyone in the country on a consistent basis. Combining with Brandon Clarke in the Gonzaga frontcourt to give opponents a frightful sight each time they stepped on the court, the 6'8 forward led the team in scoring at 20.1 per game, shooting 60.9 FG% and 46.9 3P% on 15 made attempts on the season and added 6.6 rebounds with about an equal amount of steals (1.0) and blocks (0.8) per game.

• Markus Howard, Marquette

One of the most prolific scorers and shooter in all of college basketball, Markus Howard proved with his play this season that he deserved recognition as a regal at this level. Shooting a strong percentage from the 3-point (40.8) and free throw (89.2) line the 5'11 point guard made 3.5 and 6.8 attempts per game, respectively, scoring 25.0 points per game (1st in Big East, 6th in the country). He also added 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists with 1.1 steals.

• Ty Jerome, Virginia

A few players from the more than formidable Virginia team received consideration for a spot on the All-American team, but ultimately it is Ty Jerome who lands on the list. The 6'5 junior guard was one of the better playmakers in college basketball due to his combination of passing and perimeter shooting ability. He averaged 13.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists to just 1.7 turnovers per game, sinking a couple 3's (2.0) and showing up on defense with 1.5 steals, directing the Cavaliers to a regular season ACC Championship with a 28-2 record.

• PJ Washington, Kentucky 

One of the most physical frontcourt forces in college basketball, PJ Washington was largely responsible for the success of the Kentucky Wildcats with the strength and toughness that supported his style of play. On a team that finished the regular season at 26-5 and ranked top 5 in the country, the 6'8 sophomore forward led the team in points (14.8) and rebounds (7.6) while also averaging 1.1 blocks per game. Expanding his game and emitting efficiency on the offensive end he shot 51.5 FG% and 41.9 3P% with 74 made attempts from beyond the arc on the season.

• Dylan Windler, Belmont

A versatile player on both ends of the floor and one of college basketball best-kept secrets, few were better or more effective at gaining possession of the ball and putting the ball through the basket than Belmont's Dylan Windler. The 6'8 senior wing/forward averaged 21.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals, shooting the ball at a striking 54.8/43.0/84.6 clip with 3.0 made 3-pointers per game and 92 in total. He ranked only second to Ja Morant in the OVC for PER at 30.9 and brought the Bruins a regular season conference championship with 25-4 overall record and 16-2 verse the OVC. 

Honorable Mention

• Chris Clemons, Campbell 

Capping off a colossal college career at Campbell, the 5'9 Clemons lead the country in scoring at 30.0 points per game, currently standing 4th in all-time career points with 3,193. The senior guard also added an average of 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals each contest.

• Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech

Catapulting Texas Tech to a share of the Big 12 Conference regular-season title at 26-5 and 14-4 in conference play, Culver led the team in points (18.5), rebounds (6.3) and assists (3.6). The 6'6 sophomore guard/wing also maintained a defensive rating of 87.2 (9th in the country).

• Ethan Happ, Wisconsin

The 6'10 senior big man was an all-around asset for the Badgers leading the team in scoring (17.5), rebounds (10.1), assists (4.6), and steals (1.1), while also adding 1.3 blocks per game. He helped his team to a 20-win season (23) while leading the Big Ten in PER (28.8) for a second consecutive season.

• De'Andre Hunter, Virginia

Few players consistently made more of an impact on both ends of the floor than the two-way 6'7 wing/forward. A redshirt sophomore, Hunter averaged 15.1 points, with a 53 FG% and 45.7 3P%, and was 2nd in the ACC in win shares to only Zion Williamson at 6.4.

• Cameron Johnson, North Carolina

Helping the Tar Heels capture a share of the ACC regular season championship, Johnson averaged 16.9 points per game, shooting a staunch 50.8/46.5/80.4 with 2.6 made 3's each contest. A 6'9 senior guard/forward he also added 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals.

• Dedric Lawson, Kansas

On a team that had a handful of players absent throughout the course of the season, Lawson averaged a double-double, leading the Jayhawks with 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. A 6'9 forward transfer from Memphis he shot 48.8/37.0/80.4 and also tallied 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

• Cody Martin, Nevada 

Ushering a talented Nevada team to a regular season MWC title with a 28-3 record, the 6'7 guard/wing put up a positive all-around stat-line of 11.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals as the primary playmaker, while shooting 49.8/35.6/75.0.

• Justin Wright-Foreman, Hofstra

Hurling Hofstra to a regular season CAA championship crown at 25-6 and 15-3 in conference play, Wright-Foreman was 2nd at the D-I level with an average of 27.0 points per game. The 6'2 lefty senior guard shot a sound 51.1/42.9/85.8 with 3.2 made 3-pointers and 5.0 free throws per game.

All-Defensive Team

• Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga
• Braxton Key, Virginia 
• Tariq Owens, Texas Tech 
• Matisse Thybulle, Washington 
• Zavier Simpson, Michigan
• Zion Williamson, Duke

Individual Awards

Most Outstanding Player: Zion Williamson, Duke

Defensive Player of the Year: Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga