College basketball: Jon Rothstein releases 2021-22 preseason All-American team
Jon Rothstein, a college basketball writer for CBS Sports and College Hoops Today, has released his picks for 2021-22 preseason All-American teams, featuring a mix of blue bloods and upset-watch candidates. As the new season approaches, Rothstein has visited with teams and coaches around the country gathering intel on the best players. He then posts a breakdown of each school on his blog and offers a projected starting lineup for each school.
This year’s preseason All-American team is veteran heavy with just two freshmen in the top 15 spots and one in the honorable mentions. A quick analysis also reveals the difference between college basketball and the NBA with a number of traditional big men on the list, despite the trend toward the wing in professional leagues.
The glaring exclusion is five-star freshman Emoni Bates, who reclassified to the 2021 class and enrolled at Memphis this summer. Despite his evident talent, Rothstein has chosen to leave him off this list until he plays college basketball.
Here is a look at who made the list in Jon Rothstein’s preseason All-American team.
1st team All-Americans
Collin Gilespie, Villanova
Back for his fifth season at Villanova, Gillespie is looking to put injuries behind him and lead the Wildcats to another national championship. He holds a 104-28 career record, averaging 10.7 points.
Johnny Juzang, UCLA
Juzang was a breakout star in 2020-21 after transferring from Kentucky to UCLA. After choosing to withdraw from the NBA draft, he is back with a loaded Bruins team which hopes to compete for a title.
Drew Timme, Gonzaga
Timme opted to withdraw from the NBA draft and return to Gonzaga for another year. After going 31-1 with their only loss coming in the national championship game, the Bulldogs have something to prove in 2021-2022.
Hunter Dickinson, Michigan
Dickinson was another NBA draft candidate but decided to return to school to help improve his stock. After averaging 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, Dickinson was named a consensus All-American as a freshman.
Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
After testing the NBA waters and making a brief appearance in the transfer portal, Cockburn is back with Illinois. The 7-foot center was a consensus All-American in 2021 and averaged 17.7 points with 9.5 rebounds.
2nd team All-Americans
Max Abmas, Oral Roberts
Buddy Boeheim, Syracuse
Paolo Banchero, Duke
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana
Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga
3rd team All-Americans
Andre Curbelo, Illinois
Julian Champagnie, St. John’s
Jaime Jaquez, UCLA
E.J. Liddell, Ohio State
Trevion Williams, Purdue
Honorable mentions
Remy Martin, Kansas
Adam Flagler, Baylor
Jaden Ivey, Purdue
Jaden Shackelford, Alabama
Jalen Duren, Memphis