NBA Draft Watch: 2019-2020 College Basketball All-Americans

Kansas duo of All-American candidates Udoka Azubuike (dunking) and Devon Dotson led them to the #1 ranking in college basketball
(Photo Credit: Ashley Landis/Dallas Morning News)

The 2019-2020 college basketball season will go down in history as one that was unique and unprecedented, when compared to that of those past and also to come in the future. While there certainly is a sense of the season being incomplete, both literally and figuratively, the time between early-November and mid-March made for more than enough to absorb and assess as provided by the play across the country.

Though the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) brought an end to the season before numerous teams could compete in their conference tournament and ahead of the organization for the field of 68 teams featuring college basketball's best, the regular season was riddled with plenty of programs and various players performing at a praiseworthy level during different times throughout the schedule.

Having devoted a concentrated length of time to consider the candidates that displayed the competence necessary to be deemed worthy of an all-american, Matt's Draft Journal has determined those that deserve the distinction as one of college basketball's best during the 2019-2020 season.

In total, 25 players have received acknowledgment as 2019-2020 College Basketball All-Americans, with three teams (first, second, and third) of five players each, along with 10 individuals whose action on the court earned them honorable mention status for their standout play this season. 

1st Team All-American

Payton Pritchard, Oregon

Pritchard tops the list of All-Americans as the 6'2, 190-pound senior point guard garners Player of the Year for his plethora of positive performances. Propelling the Ducks to a PAC-12 Championship as they finished with a 24-7 record and ranked 13th in the country, his persistent playmaking ability effectively set up teammates to score while also proving more than capable of putting the ball through the hoop in his own right. Totaling 5.3 offensive win shares (1st in PAC-12, 3rd in D1) he averaged 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.8 made 3's per game, shooting 46.8/41.5/82.1.  

Udoka Azubuike, Kansas

A powerful force in the paint, Azubuike proved his dominance on both ends of the floor as his productivity jolted the Jayhawks to the Big 12 title and number one ranking in the country with a 28-3 record. The 7'0, 270-pound senior center led all of college basketball with a 74.8 FG% and was 2nd in box plus/minus (14.3), as he averaged 13.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 27.7 minutes per game.

Malachi Flynn, San Diego State

Flynn spearheaded the Aztecs squad to a 30-2 record as they took home the crown as champions of the Mountain West Conference and ended the season ranked 6th in the country. His overall contributions surfaced in various categories, as the 6'1, 185-pound guard led all of college basketball in win shares (7.4), averaging 17.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals, with 2.4 made 3's per game, while shooting 44.0 FG% and 37.3 3P%.  

Luka Garza, Iowa

Willing the Hawkeyes to 20 wins in the toughest conference in college basketball this season (Big Ten), Garza gave a gargantuan effort as his team dealt with the loss of three season-ending injuries to key contributors. A 6'11, 260-pound problem in the post, who also exhibited the touch to step outside the paint and sink shots, the junior attained the 2nd best PER in D1 (34.4). For the season he averaged 23.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 54.2 FG% and 35.8 3P%. 

Obi Toppin, Dayton

A high-flying forward for the Flyers, the 6'9, 220-pound redshirt sophomore helped his team reach new heights with a remarkable 29-2 record that resulted in the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and them ranking 3rd in the country. In 31 games played Toppin put up 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 63.3 FG% and 39.0 3P%, totaling .279 win shares per 40 minutes (1st in A-10, 3rd in D1).

2nd Team All-American

Vernon Carey Jr, Duke 

Immediately stepping into the spotlight for the Blue Devils, Carey carried quite the load in lifting Duke to a 25-6 record and 11th overall ranking in the country — as they finished one game out of first place in the ACC. With a combination of skill and strength, the 6'10, 270-pound freshman center exhibited his efficiency en route to a PER of 34.1 (1st in ACC, 3rd in D1). All told, the lefty averaged 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 24.9 minutes per game, shooting 57.7/38.1/67.0.

Devon Dotson, Kansas

Pairing with fellow All-American teammate Udoka Azubuike, the 6'2, 185-pound point guard was prominent in the Jayhawks returning to the top of the Big 12 and finishing the season ranked 1st in the country. A sophomore, Dotson was a driving force offensively and a difference-maker on defense as he earned 6.2 win shares (1st in Big 12, 13th in D1). For the season he averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, shooting 46.8 FG% and 83.0 FT%.

Onyeka Okongwu, Southern California 

Tackling the task of taking the Trojans to another level, the freshman lifted the PAC-12 team to a 22-9 record, having gone 16-17 last season. Standing 6'9, 245-pounds using his athleticism, energy, and instincts to his advantage over other big men, Okongwu totaled a box plus/minus of 13.6 (1st in PAC-12, 3rd in D1), averaging 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 61.1 FG% and 72.0 FT%.

Myles Powell, Seton Hall

A 6'2, 195-pound senior guard, the noted scorer shouldered a significant responsibility for his team's success, as he attained a usage rate of 35.6% (2nd in Big East, 8th in D1), averaging 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.2 steals, while sinking 2.8 3's per game. Starring for a Seton Hall team that won a share of its first Big East title in over 25 seasons, Powell steered the Pirates to a 21-9 record and ranked 15th in the country.

Cassius Winston, Michigan State

Playing with composure and control that fans, coaches, and opposing players have been accustomed to, Winston steadied the Spartans squad as they won a share of the Big Ten title, finishing 22-9 and ranked 9th in the country. The 6'1, 185-pound senior point guard recorded an offensive box plus/minus of 7.5 (2nd in Big Ten, 8th in D1), as he averaged 18.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.4 made 3's per game, while shooting 44.8/43.2/85.2. 

3rd Team All-American 

Markus Howard, Marquette

One of the most prolific scorers in college basketball history Howard was forced to shoulder even more of the responsibility after the Hauser brothers (the team's 2nd and 3rd leading scorers from last season) transferred to Virginia. He didn't disappoint. Leading the Golden Eagles to an 18-12 record (with the potential shot of an at-large bid) and the country in scoring. Averaging 27.8 points, aided by 4.2 made 3's per game, the 5'11, 180-pound senior was a threat to score anywhere across half-court.

Tre Jones, Duke

The lone returning full-time starter from the previous season for the Blue Devils, Jones veteran presence proved to be pivotal in pressure situations, as he directed Duke to a 25-6 record. A proven playmaker and pest defensively for opposing point guards, the 6'3, 185-pound sophomore put up a solid all-around stat-line of 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, good for 4.9 win shares (3rd in ACC).

Sam Merrill, Utah State

The go-to-guy for a good Aggies team, Merrill's efforts help elevate them to a 26-8 record and capture the Mountain West Conference Tournament Championship, which would've earned them an automatic bid to the Big Dance. A distinguished shooter, the 6'5, 205-pound senior wing exhibited his effectiveness en route to plenty of victories, as earned 7.1 win shares (2nd in D1), averaging 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 steals, and 2.8 made 3's per game, shooting 46.1/41.0/89.3.

Nick Richards, Kentucky

One of the most improved players in college basketball, Richards paint presence proved to be paramount for an otherwise predominantly perimeter-oriented Kentucky team that won the SEC Championship and ended ranked 8th in the country with a 25-6 record. The 6'11, 247-pound junior's output and impact on both ends of the floor were evident as he averaged 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, shooting 64.2 FG%, for an offensive rating of 127.8 (1st in SEC, 8th in D1). 

Jalen Smith, Maryland 

In his second season with the Terrapins, Smith's effort help raise the team from a 5th place finish in the Big Ten last season to a claim of the conference title at 24-7, as they ranked 12th in the country. Capable of the stepping out and operating on the perimeter or being a reliable force near the rim the 6'10, 225-pound sophomore big recorded a box plus/minus of 12.3 (2nd in Big Ten, 7th in D1). For the season he averaged 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks, per game, shooting 53.8/36.8/75.0.

Honorable Mention All-American 

Precious Achiuwa, Memphis

Following the absence of fellow freshman and top prospect James Wiseman, Achiuwa assumed the responsibility as the star of a Tigers team that was comprised of primarily freshman and sophomores, as he willed them to a 21-win season. The multi-faceted 6'9, 225-pound forward displayed physicality and aggressiveness as he turned in a defensive rating of 82.5 (1st in AAC, 2nd in D1), while averaging 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 assists per game.

Saddiq Bey, Villanova

Buoying a balanced Villanova squad that had five players average double-figures scoring, Bey was the team's leading scorer, knocking down a number of clutch shots for the Co-Big East Champions that went 24-7 and ranked 10th in the country. A versatile, inside-outside offensive option the 6'8, 216-pound sophomore forward earned 4.9 win shares (3rd in Big East) as he averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, with 2.5 made 3's per game, shooting 47.7/45.1/76.9. 

Jordan Ford, Saint Mary's 

The main man for Saint Mary's, Ford was seemingly always on the floor for the squad that went 26-8 and appeared in the West Coast Conference Tournament Championship game. Playing 38.0 minutes per game (1st in WCC, 6th in D1), the 6'1, 175-pound senior guard averaged 21.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.5 made 3's per contest, while shooting 49.2/41.1/83.6, for an offensive win share total of 5.7 (1st in D1).

Freddie Gillespie, Baylor

A D3 transfer, the 6'9, 245-pound senior big man made his mark as the linchpin of a lockdown defense that defined the Baylor Bears, which went 26-4 and ranked 5th in the country. Gillespie, whose high-energy and awareness allowed him to affect the game with regularity, averaged 9.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 55.0 FG% and 68.4 FT%, accumulating a box plus/minus of 11.8 (2nd in Big 12, 9th in D1).

Skylar Mays, Louisiana State

A senior guard, Mays was the leading scorer and steadiest performer on a talented Tiger team that had five players average double-figures, placing 2nd in the SEC at 21-10. A two-way player at 6'4, 205-pounds he was capable of making plays either on or off the ball on both offense and defense. Ranking 19th in D1 by offensive box plus/minus (7.0) and 4th in the SEC in win shares (5.1), he averaged 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 49.1/39.4/85.4.

Jordan Nwora, Louisville

On a Cardinal club where he was the lone player to average double-figures scoring, the 6'7, 225-pound forward was a standout for a team that finished went 24-7 and finished ranked 14th in the country. Accounting for 5.2 win shares (2nd in the ACC), Nwora, a junior, averaged 18.0 points 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, with 2.5 made 3's per game, as he shot 44.0/40.2/81.3.

Reggie Perry, Mississippi State

Perry put the Bulldogs on his back with his effort and effectiveness on each end of the floor to help bring them to a 20-win season playing in the super-competitive SEC. Utilizing his superior strength and skills against his opponents, the 6'10, 250-pound sophomore forward was able to supply offense from several spots on the floor as he recorded a 28.5 PER and 5.2 win shares (2nd in SEC), averaging 17.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, as he shot 50.0/32.4/76.8.

Filip Petrusev, Gonzaga

The leading scorer for a balanced Bulldogs team that had six players average double figures, Petrusev powered Gonzaga to 31-2 record to win both the West Coast Conference regular-season and tournament titles, as they finished ranked 2nd in the country. Proving to be proficient with his play, as he put up .258 win shares per 40 minutes (1st in WCC, 8th in D1), the 6'11, 235-pound sophomore averaged 17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 26.0 minutes, shooting 55.9 FG%.

Xavier Tillman, Michigan State

One half of the point-post duo that drove the Spartans to a strong regular-season finish which resulted in a claim of the Big Ten title, Tillman teamed with Cassius Winston to bring Michigan State to a 22-9 record and ranking of 9th in the country. An imposing physical presence whose impact was palpable on plenty of possessions, the 6'8, 245-pound junior averaged 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.1 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game, for a total box plus/minus of 15.0 (1st in D1).

Devin Vassell, Florida State

On a deep Seminole squad that claimed the title of ACC Champions with a 26-5 regular-season record and ranked 4th in the country, Vassell was the team's x-factor for many purposes. Utilizing his athleticism, activity, and accuracy from the arc to affect just about every contest, the 6'6, 180-pound sophomore wing accumulated a 10.8 box plus/minus (3rd in ACC, 18th in D1) as he averaged 12.7
points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, while shooting 49.0/41.5/73.8.