NCAA Basketball Players of the Year 2014
5. Nik Stauskas, University of MichiganFrom a country where it is much more common for kids to lace up the skates and shoot a puck, Nik Stauskas chose basketball - something all Wolverines fans are extremely grateful for. This season, the Canadian sensation stepped up in a big way for a Michigan team that seemed to lack an identity after losing three key players from their 2013 NCAA runner-up team in Trey Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr. and the injured Mitch McGary. Though many experts wrote them off early, Staukskas had other plans. Over the off-season, he built strength in the weight room and somehow improved his already deadly outside shooting, grabbing everyone’s attention with a viral video of him literally raining three pointers. Defenders hardly matter when this sharpshooter releases the ball, placing him among an exclusive group of players who make you surprised when they miss a difficult shot. Though Stauskas has shown the ability to produce in other ways, he will always be known for his work beyond the arc. --Brock4. Shabazz Napier, University of ConnecticutThe reigning AAC player of the year has drawn many comparisons to Kemba Walker, whom he played alongside to win the National Championship in 2011. The similarities can be found in the way he beat the buzzer against Florida in a Kemba-like effort or his step back jump shot against Cincinnati that looked exactly like Kemba’s shot against Pittsburgh - both times sealing the deal for the Huskies. The Florida game was most likely also the moment his candidacy finally got rolling and he has not stopped since averaging 17.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Unlike the other players mentioned in this list he never had much of chance to make this a winning candidacy. However, a split up of the Big East allowed his UConn Huskies to compete in a weaker newly-found American Athletic Conference and, while there were those games with Louisville and Memphis, the conference is much weaker top-to-bottom than the old Big East. He has shown his ability to not only score and shape the game at will, but also contribute defensively where he recorded nearly 2 steals a game, though against competition that few experts would take serious; yet somehow he is in the discussion and not fading away. Maybe it is a little bit of everything (buzzer beaters, stats, defense) that keep him in it but not at the #1 spot of the list. -- Geisterschreiber3. Russ Smith, University of LouisvilleAs the only starter remaining from Louisville’s national championship team from one year ago, Russ Smith has had a lot on his shoulders this year. Over his first three years in the ‘Ville, Russ had endeared himself to fans as a blazingly fast scorer who’s unstoppable in transition, with an attitude off the court that is nothing but lovable. However, fans didn’t trust him: he had a tendency to take too many bad shots, to make bad decisions, and to lose control all too easily. This year, he hasn’t completely redefined himself, but he has certainly refined himself: he has increased his assists per game by nearly two while slightly lowering his turnover numbers; he scores just as much on less shots; and he has established himself as a reliable jump shooter. Russ’s speed and explosiveness has not been compromised, but he has learned to corral himself and set up his teammates to become a true playmaker. Call him too small, call him wild, call him the Based King, or call him Russdiculous; I call him great. – Screv62. Jabari Parker, Duke UniversityOur runner up is the stellar freshman out of Chicago. Jabari Parker, whose father Sonny formerly played in the NBA, received incredible hype after winning four straight Illinois state championships at Simeon. The 6’8” wing made an immediate impact on his team, scoring at least 20 points in seven straight games to start his college career. Parker has next-level athleticism that allows him to throw down vicious dunks, create shots and wow fans with his virtually unlimited potential. His production this year has been phenomenal, scoring and rebounding among the ACC’s best while leading Duke to a 3 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Though his spot on this list is just another of his second bests this year, Jabari looks to capture a title and a number one overall pick in the NBA Draft to put an end to all of that. -- Brock1. Doug McDermott, Creighton UniversityHow could the Player of the Year not be number one? Dougie Fresh originally was committed to Northern Iowa, but re-committed to Creighton because his father was hired as the new basketball coach. McDermott enjoyed the best season of his collegiate career this year, leading the nation in scoring with 26.9 PPG. On Creighton's Senior Night, he passed the illustrious 3000 career point mark, but didn't stop there: he is currently fifth all-time across the NCAA. He’s a deadly shooter, especially from beyond the arc, and can space the floor with ease. Since McDermott is such a complete player, he'll have the most prominent impact on Creighton's Big Dance hopes; more so than any other Bluejay. Look for the 6'8" power forward to be a lottery pick in this year’s draft. -- MrXercules

                              *****See full voting results here*****