10 British Players to Watch in College Basketball This Season

Words by Matt Clear | @matt_clear

There are more reasons than ever to follow college basketball this season, with a whole host of top British players starring for high-level Division I teams. Here are the ten I think will make the biggest impact;

Ogo Adegboye, G, 6-0, St Bonaventure, Senior

With a year of Division I experience and a summer as GB’s starting point guard under his belt, Ogo is primed to make a name for himself in the Atlantic-10. Look for the former Brixton Topcat to lead the unfancied Bonnies to some upsets, and challenge for the A-10 Most Improved Player award.

Ben Allison, F, 6-9, Davidson, Junior

Allison isn’t on a lot of people’s radars after missing out on a spot with the GB U23 team, but he could be ready to break out this year. He had an up and down sophomore campaign, losing his starting spot early on, but looks likely to start this year as the Wildcats have lost several players to graduation. He’s a good rebounder and an inside-outside scorer, and just needs to find some consistency and stay out of foul trouble.

Devan Bailey – G, 6-2, Central Connecticut State, Sophomore

(image credit: newspaper_guy Mike Orazzi)

Bailey only saw one minute of court time for GB this summer, but the experience of training with Luol and Pops should help the 21 year-old build on a strong first season at CCSU. The Blue Devils have a deep team, so Bailey may not start 21 games as he did last year, but his tenacious defense and ability to run the point mean he’s sure to be a key player for CCSU.

Matthew Bryan-Amaning, F, 6-9, Washington, Senior

Expect to see a lot more dunks like this one and expect to see Washington back in the NCAA tournament. MBA’s play in the second half of last year was a big factor in the Huskies’ Pac-10 title and Sweet 16 run, and if he can help replace the production of first-round draft pick Quincy Pondexter, he might even hear his own name called next June.

Ben Eaves, F, 6-7, Rhode Island, Senior

Rhode Island were just one or two wins away from an NCAA tournament berth last year, so can they go one better? Eaves’ numbers weren’t great last year – for a shooter, 37% from the field and 30% on threes won’t cut it – but he was a key reserve for the Rams and will be so again.

Ashley Hamilton, F, 6-7, Loyola Marymount, Sophomore

Hamilton was an impact player from day one at LMU, but a back injury sidelined him six games into his college career. After redshirting 08-09, Hamilton picked up where he left off last year, claiming a place in the starting lineup by Christmas. His stellar WCC tournament form – he averaged 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks – may be just a taster of what he can do.

Andrew Lawrence, G, 6-2, College of Charleston, Sophomore

(credit: Willis Glassgow/College of Charleston Media Relations)

Ovie Soko and Will Neighbour got the numbers for the U20s, but Andrew Lawrence ran the show from point guard. Now, he’ll be asked to do the same as a starter for Charleston, having spent last season mostly as a spot-up shooter coming off the bench. If this summer is anything to go by, he’s up to the job.

Alex Marcotullio, G, 6-2 Northwestern, Sophomore

Lawrence’s U20 backcourt partner, Marcotullio was unknown over here until GB recruited the Michigan native thanks to his Scotland-born mother. Having averaged 13.4 points on 48.6% shooting (39.4% from beyond the arc) in the Division B championships, he looks like a great find. A sharpshooter who plays the one or the two, he’ll provide scoring off the bench for Northwestern.

Justin Robinson, G, 6-2, Rider, Senior

With Ryan Thompson graduating, Robinson will have a chance to be Rider’s #1 offensive option this season. The Londoner will be shooting and handling the ball a lot more, so expect to see last year’s impressive numbers (13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals) go up once again.

Ovie Soko, F, 6-8, UAB, Sophomore

No junior British player did more to raise their reputation this summer than Soko, who averaged 19.1 points and 6.3 rebounds at the Division B championships, earning a place on the all-tournament team. He’s still a relative unknown in Conference USA, having played just 10 minutes per game last year, but don’t expect that to last long.

Thoughts?

Agree with the list? Who would be on your list of British players to watch in college basketball this season?