The Naismith Player of the Year battle is always an exciting race to watch as the season progresses, and it's never too early to start thinking of this year's top contenders. The award has been won by an upperclassman for five straight seasons and hasn't gone to a freshman since Anthony Davis in 2012, though Oklahoma's Trae Young made a strong push last season before Villanova's Jalen Brunson eventually took home the hardware. With the season less than a month away, we've compiled 10 preseason candidates for 2018–19.
1. Luke Maye, North Carolina
The Basics: 6’8”, 240 pounds, power forward/center, senior
2017-18 stats: 16.