DetroitSports.Today™

Detroit Sports News Continuously Updated

Ranking the Best Basketball Players in the Big Ten

by

Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) goes to the basket during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Jersey Mike's Arena.

The Big Ten has always had outstanding players. Just look back through the conference’s history, and you can easily see some of the best players in college basketball history. There are a lot of new faces this season, whether that be by the transfer portal or freshman. The 2024-25 season has seen its fair share of outstanding players, and these are the best in the Big Ten.

Ranking the Best Basketball Players in the Big Ten

15. Oumar Ballo – Indiana

Oumar Ballo has shown his impact on both ends of the floor for the Hoosiers. He’s averaging 14.3 points per game and is in the top 40 in the NCAA in averaged rebounds and blocks. His effort at times has seemed lackadaisical, but Ballo has scored 20-plus in his last two games.

14. Ace Bailey – Rutgers

One half of Rutgers’ freshman duo, Ace Bailey has been yet another impact scorer. However, his efforts haven’t led the Knights to wins. For a team that has two scorers averaging over 18 points, it should result in wins. Bailey is still one of the better players in the Big Ten.

13. Ace Baldwin Jr. – Penn State

If you want steady, then Penn State’s Ace Baldwin Jr. is your guy. He’s been a good scorer for the Nittany Lions, but his 8.0 assists per game make him one of the best floor leaders in the Big Ten.

12. Desmond Claude – USC

The Trojans needed someone to step up this season, and Desmond Claude did precisely that. He was huge in USC’s upset win against Illinois, scoring over 30 points. His consistency has been tremendous for the team.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

11. Dawson Garcia – Minnesota

Dawson Garcia is Minnesota basketball. If only the rest of the Gophers team played at the level Garcia does every night. They might be the worst team in the Big Ten, but Dawson is among the best players in the conference. He’s in the top five in scoring in the Big Ten.

10. Payton Sandfort – Iowa

Iowa has been a high-scoring offense throughout coach Fran McCaffery’s tenure. This season is no different. A lot of that has to do with pure shooters like Payton Sandfort . He is coming off a massive game in an overtime win against Nebraska, where he scored 30 points. His 16.5 points per game currently ranks 10th in the Big Ten. He has also been able to contribute on the glass.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

9. Derik Queen – Maryland

Derik Queen is yet another outstanding freshman on this list. The Terrapins have significantly benefited from his efforts. Queen can score the ball and is currently 12th in the Big Ten in averaged points with 15.5 per game. He is also top 10 in rebounding with 7.8 per game. His backcourt pairing with Julian Reese has been key to Maryland’s success.

8. Kasparas Jakucionis – Illinois

Kasparas Jakucionis has showcased why he’s among the top prospects for the NBA. He did miss the Illini’s last two games, including an ugly home loss to USC, but you can’t deny his importance. He leads the Illini in scoring and is fifth in the Big Ten in assists.

7. Bruce Thornton – Ohio State

Try to tell Bruce Thornton he’s not one of the best players in the Big Ten. You can’t. He’s huge for a Buckeye team that needed his leadership as a point guard. His assist numbers could be a little higher (4.4), but Thornton gives Ohio State a legit scoring threat when the team needs it most. He’s averaging 17.1 points per game and has thrived in the Big Ten throughout his career.

6. Danny Wolf – Michigan

Michigan has plenty of playmakers, but Danny Wolf stands out above all. His teammate Vladislav Goldin has been going off, but Wolf’s ability at his size puts him on this list. This seven-footer can do it all: score, rebound, pass, and defend. The Big Ten has plenty of elite rebounders, but Wolf is the only one averaging over 10 boards per game. He is a double-double threat and has helped the Wolverines fight for a top seed in the Big Ten.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

5. Brice Williams – Nebraska

There have been moments when Nebraska’s Brice Williams has looked like an All-American player. The Cornhuskers have benefitted from his play, as he’s averaging 19.4 points. He’s also had two 30-point games this season. In 2024-25, he’s recorded at least 21 points in eight of 15 games. Williams is going to be in the conversation for First-Team All-Big Ten.

4. Nick Martinelli – Northwestern

It has been a breakout season for Nick Martinelli . He not only leads Northwestern in scoring, but he’s also currently tied for second in the Big Ten. The Wildcats aren’t a team to mess around with, nor is Martinelli. He’s in the conversation for one of the best players in the Big Ten for a reason. He can score, and he’s rebounding well.

3. John Tonje – Wisconsin

The Badgers found a gem when they landed John Tonje in the transfer portal. His impact has been significant as Wisconsin started the season hot. He’s cooled off since his 41-point performance in November, but Tonje remains among the Big Ten leaders in scoring. He also gets to the free-throw line (7.2 attempts per game), and that’s huge for Wisconsin.

2. Braden Smith – Purdue

Braden Smith was one of the preseason picks for Big Ten Player of the Year . You can’t deny that Smith is still arguably in the conversation for one of the best players in the conference. The Boilermakers are right in the thick of the Big Ten race, and he’s delivered at every level. Scoring is great, but Smith leads the conference in assists with an average of 8.9. He’s certainly putting himself in the conversation of the best point guard the Big Ten has seen since Michigan State’s Cassius Winston .

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

1. Dylan Harper – Rutgers

Given the Scarlet Knights’ struggles, the freshman phenom might catch some flack for topping this list. However, Dylan Harper is one of the best players in the country, let alone the Big Ten. He’s averaging 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Not to mention, he posted a triple-double against Columbia. It’s outstanding for a freshman to do that as quickly as he did.

Honorable Mentions:

Owen Freeman (Iowa), Brooks Barnhizer (Northwestern), Great Osobor (Washington), Goldin (Michigan), Jaden Akins (Michigan State), Nate Bittle (Oregon), Jackson Shelstad (Oregon), John Blackwell (Wisconsin), Devin Royal (Ohio State), Julian Reese (Maryland).

The post Ranking the Best Basketball Players in the Big Ten appeared first on Last Word On Basketball .