College Basketball Players to Watch in the 2014-15 Season

Jahlil Okafor, Stanley Johnson, Marcus Paige and more.

The 2014-15 NCAA Basketball Season Is Off and Running - The 2014-15 college basketball season tipped off over the weekend with Duke prospect Jahlil Okafor showing why he's a force to be reckoned with. The 6-foot-10 center out of Chicago put on a show this past Saturday night against Fairfield, totaling 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in the Blue Devils' 109-59 domination. No wonder legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski is so big on him. “We won’t have him long,” Krzyzewski recently told ESPN. “We’ll have him this year and then he’ll be one of the top [NBA] picks.” Duke got one...even though he's probably a one and done. Okafor is just one of many players expected to impact this season. BET.com shines a light on Okafor and 14 other college basketball players to watch for the 2014-15 season. These cats can all ball!(Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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The 2014-15 NCAA Basketball Season Is Off and Running - The 2014-15 college basketball season tipped off over the weekend with Duke prospect Jahlil Okafor showing why he's a force to be reckoned with. The 6-foot-10 center out of Chicago put on a show this past Saturday night against Fairfield, totaling 17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in the Blue Devils' 109-59 domination. No wonder legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski is so big on him. “We won’t have him long,” Krzyzewski recently told ESPN. “We’ll have him this year and then he’ll be one of the top [NBA] picks.” Duke got one...even though he's probably a one and done. Okafor is just one of many players expected to impact this season. BET.com shines a light on Okafor and 14 other college basketball players to watch for the 2014-15 season. These cats can all ball!(Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Montrezl Harrell, Louisville - Simply put — Montrezl Harrell is a machine. The 6-foot-8 junior forward has a multi-dimensional game, one in which he's able to face up opponents or back defenders down. Harrell looks to have even added a long-range game, having scored nine of his 30 points in a Louisville win over Minnesota on Friday on 3-pointers. This is a bad, bad man. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Montrezl Harrell, Louisville - Simply put — Montrezl Harrell is a machine. The 6-foot-8 junior forward has a multi-dimensional game, one in which he's able to face up opponents or back defenders down. Harrell looks to have even added a long-range game, having scored nine of his 30 points in a Louisville win over Minnesota on Friday on 3-pointers. This is a bad, bad man. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin - All Frank Kaminsky did last season was average 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in leading Wisconsin to the NCAA Final Four. But when the Badgers needed him most, the seven-footer buckled with only eight points against Kentucky. All that's out the window now, as Kaminsky returns for his senior season. Definitely one to watch.(Photo: Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

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Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin - All Frank Kaminsky did last season was average 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in leading Wisconsin to the NCAA Final Four. But when the Badgers needed him most, the seven-footer buckled with only eight points against Kentucky. All that's out the window now, as Kaminsky returns for his senior season. Definitely one to watch.(Photo: Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

Sam Dekker, Wisconsin - Is there a better complementing forward for Wisconsin's front court for Frank Kaminsky than 6-foot-9 junior Sam Dekker? Like Kaminsky, Dekker has a shooting touch, one that he showed off Sunday by pouring in 18 points in an 89-45 Badgers win over Chattanooga. Dekker and Kaminsky are the main reasons why Wisconsin is ranked No. 4 in the country and could very well threaten for the NCAA crown again this year. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Sam Dekker, Wisconsin - Is there a better complementing forward for Wisconsin's front court for Frank Kaminsky than 6-foot-9 junior Sam Dekker? Like Kaminsky, Dekker has a shooting touch, one that he showed off Sunday by pouring in 18 points in an 89-45 Badgers win over Chattanooga. Dekker and Kaminsky are the main reasons why Wisconsin is ranked No. 4 in the country and could very well threaten for the NCAA crown again this year. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Myles Turner, Texas - Let's put it like this — even if you're not watching Myles Turner, he may swat a shot your way. The 6-foot-11 freshman forward contests everything in his proximity, as evidenced by his six blocked shots in No. 10 Texas's 85-50 win over North Dakota on Friday. Turner also has a raw but growing inside game. He just has to watch out for the early foul trouble. But the Longhorns are expecting big things from this kid. (Photo: Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT/Getty Images)

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Myles Turner, Texas - Let's put it like this — even if you're not watching Myles Turner, he may swat a shot your way. The 6-foot-11 freshman forward contests everything in his proximity, as evidenced by his six blocked shots in No. 10 Texas's 85-50 win over North Dakota on Friday. Turner also has a raw but growing inside game. He just has to watch out for the early foul trouble. But the Longhorns are expecting big things from this kid. (Photo: Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT/Getty Images)

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Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky - Yes, Kentucky lost a lot of what helped get them to the NCAA Finals last season. But they have a freshman to watch in 6-foot-11 center Karl-Anthony Towns. The New Jersey product still has a raw game in the paint, but one that seems to have plenty potential. Keep an eye on him as No. 1 Kentucky faces fifth-ranked Kansas on Tuesday. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky - Yes, Kentucky lost a lot of what helped get them to the NCAA Finals last season. But they have a freshman to watch in 6-foot-11 center Karl-Anthony Towns. The New Jersey product still has a raw game in the paint, but one that seems to have plenty potential. Keep an eye on him as No. 1 Kentucky faces fifth-ranked Kansas on Tuesday. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Marcus Paige, North Carolina - Marcus Paige can score with the best of the guards in the country. That's because he is one of the best guards in the country. His 17.5 points per game average last season should have told y'all that. But it's the ways he can hurt opposing teams — whether on dribble drives to the hole or pull-ups, Paige delivers buckets. Lots of them. (Photo: Lance King/Getty Images)

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Marcus Paige, North Carolina - Marcus Paige can score with the best of the guards in the country. That's because he is one of the best guards in the country. His 17.5 points per game average last season should have told y'all that. But it's the ways he can hurt opposing teams — whether on dribble drives to the hole or pull-ups, Paige delivers buckets. Lots of them. (Photo: Lance King/Getty Images)

Marcus Foster, Kansas State  - We'll bet the house that Marcus Foster never heard of a sophomore slump. After turning in one of the most memorable freshman campaigns with the Kansas State Wildcats last season, we can't wait for Foster's encore. With him averaging 15.5 points per game at shooting guard last season, Kansas State is giving Foster the keys to the team, putting him in as point guard. Good move. Now, watch Foster blow up.(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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Marcus Foster, Kansas State  - We'll bet the house that Marcus Foster never heard of a sophomore slump. After turning in one of the most memorable freshman campaigns with the Kansas State Wildcats last season, we can't wait for Foster's encore. With him averaging 15.5 points per game at shooting guard last season, Kansas State is giving Foster the keys to the team, putting him in as point guard. Good move. Now, watch Foster blow up.(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Fred VanVleet, Wichita State - What Wichita State point guard Fred VanVleet lacks in size (He's six-feet), he more than makes up for with speed. And you know what they say about speed. It kills. The junior floor general does a great job at handling the rock and keeping defenders off balance with his crossover. It's just a couple of the reasons he was so successful in posting 11.6 points per game last season.(Photo: John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT/Getty Images)

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Fred VanVleet, Wichita State - What Wichita State point guard Fred VanVleet lacks in size (He's six-feet), he more than makes up for with speed. And you know what they say about speed. It kills. The junior floor general does a great job at handling the rock and keeping defenders off balance with his crossover. It's just a couple of the reasons he was so successful in posting 11.6 points per game last season.(Photo: John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT/Getty Images)

Georges Niang, Iowa State - At 6-foot-8, Georges Niang is usually slated at power forward or center. But when things get tense, he usually has the ball in his hands and is playing point forward. As a sophomore last season, Niang's game blossomed as he flashed a post game, an ability to spot up for open looks and a drive to the basket with a strong finish. That led to 16.7 points per game. What will he have in store this season?(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Georges Niang, Iowa State - At 6-foot-8, Georges Niang is usually slated at power forward or center. But when things get tense, he usually has the ball in his hands and is playing point forward. As a sophomore last season, Niang's game blossomed as he flashed a post game, an ability to spot up for open looks and a drive to the basket with a strong finish. That led to 16.7 points per game. What will he have in store this season?(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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Tyus Jones, Duke - Duke has reason to be excited with freshman point guard Tyus Jones. The Blue Devils diaper dandy passes well and can create his own shot nicely. At 6-foot-1, he also creates attention driving through the lane and is known to make defenses pick their poison. Count on plenty of hookups between Jones and Jahlil Okafor this season. Possibly a deeper tournament run too.(Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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Tyus Jones, Duke - Duke has reason to be excited with freshman point guard Tyus Jones. The Blue Devils diaper dandy passes well and can create his own shot nicely. At 6-foot-1, he also creates attention driving through the lane and is known to make defenses pick their poison. Count on plenty of hookups between Jones and Jahlil Okafor this season. Possibly a deeper tournament run too.(Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Stanley Johnson, Arizona - He's 6-foot-7 with a big strong frame, which allows him to guard multiple positions, ranging from his own small forward spot to bigger or smaller players. Stanley Johnson can be flat-out explosive and dominant, attacking the rim on drives and rebounding. Arizona's prized freshman showed just that during the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, where he averaged 14 boards at one point. Damn.(Photo: Jacob Funk/J and L Photography/Getty Images )

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Stanley Johnson, Arizona - He's 6-foot-7 with a big strong frame, which allows him to guard multiple positions, ranging from his own small forward spot to bigger or smaller players. Stanley Johnson can be flat-out explosive and dominant, attacking the rim on drives and rebounding. Arizona's prized freshman showed just that during the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, where he averaged 14 boards at one point. Damn.(Photo: Jacob Funk/J and L Photography/Getty Images )

Cliff Alexander, Kansas - The report on Cliff Alexander is that the 6-foot-9 freshman power forward finishes hard at the hoop and possesses a nice touch. That in itself should make the Chicago product a fan-favorite among Kansas Jayhawks faithful. He'll have a chance to show and prove Tuesday night, when his fifth-ranked Jayhawks meet No. 1 Kentucky. Expect fireworks between Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint. (Photo: Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

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Cliff Alexander, Kansas - The report on Cliff Alexander is that the 6-foot-9 freshman power forward finishes hard at the hoop and possesses a nice touch. That in itself should make the Chicago product a fan-favorite among Kansas Jayhawks faithful. He'll have a chance to show and prove Tuesday night, when his fifth-ranked Jayhawks meet No. 1 Kentucky. Expect fireworks between Alexander and Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint. (Photo: Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Ryan Boatright, Connecticut - No Shabazz Napier, no DeAndre Daniels. UConn's season is in Ryan Boatright's hands now. The 6-foot senior guard had 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists in leading the Huskies to a 66-53 win over Bryant on Friday. The defending national champion's program will need more output like that out of Boatright all season long if it's going to boost its 17th rank and make another run. (Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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Ryan Boatright, Connecticut - No Shabazz Napier, no DeAndre Daniels. UConn's season is in Ryan Boatright's hands now. The 6-foot senior guard had 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists in leading the Huskies to a 66-53 win over Bryant on Friday. The defending national champion's program will need more output like that out of Boatright all season long if it's going to boost its 17th rank and make another run. (Photo: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Caris Levert, Michigan - Wiry at 6-foot-7 and a light 200 pounds, Caris LeVert can do a little bit of everything from the point guard position. Need proof? Check the kid's stat line through two games —13 points, 7.5 assists and seven rebounds per game. This is the year the Michigan junior needs to make his mark in the college game. (Photo: Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

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Caris Levert, Michigan - Wiry at 6-foot-7 and a light 200 pounds, Caris LeVert can do a little bit of everything from the point guard position. Need proof? Check the kid's stat line through two games —13 points, 7.5 assists and seven rebounds per game. This is the year the Michigan junior needs to make his mark in the college game. (Photo: Duane Burleson/Getty Images)