NCAA Basketball: Top juniors for 2016-17 season

March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Dillon Brooks (24) grabs a rebound against Duke Blue Devils during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Star players who choose to stay for three years are becoming more difficult to find in NCAA basketball.

Although college basketball is in an era in which one-and-done players are the popular trend, every team needs an upperclassman or two.

Yes, even Duke and Kentucky.

Even those schools, who routinely nab three or four fabulous freshman each season, need their share of upperclassmen.

Duke has Grayson Allen. For Kentucky, it was Alex Poythress. And don’t forget Willie Cauley-Stein, who was at Kentucky for what seemed like an eternity.

Veterans are a vital part of college basketball, particularly players that are on this list. Not only because of their leadership and experience, but because they are highly skilled individuals on the basketball court.

North Carolina, for instance, had a team last year that was primarily comprised of juniors and seniors. They had a roster that took time and patience to grow and mature, but over the span of a few years, became a dominant force in college basketball. Villanova, the team they lost to in the NCAA title game, had eight players that were either juniors or seniors.

On the other hand, Kentucky’s 2012 national title team had only four upperclassmen, most of which barely got on the court. The team’s success was anchored by freshman standouts Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

There’s merit to both arguments, but why not have both?

College basketball teams are at their best when they can blend star freshman with talented veteran leaders.

Kentucky has only two seldom used upperclassmen and Derek Willis on their 2016-17 roster. Duke on the other hand, has three high impact upperclassmen on their team in Allen, Matt Jones and Amile Jefferson. Those players, combined with Duke’s fantastic freshman class, could prove to be the winning recipe this season.

But don’t count out the UNC’s and Villanova’s of the world. They’ve got skilled, seasoned veterans who’ve been around for a few years and aren’t intimidated by the bright lights of March.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 players in the junior class for the 2016-17 season.

Jan 11, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Tigers forward Austin Nichols (4) reacts after a play during the second half against the Houston Cougars at Hofheinz Pavilion. The Tigers defeated the Cougars 62-44. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

10. Austin Nichols (Virginia)

After sitting out a full year, former top-25 recruit Austin Nichols is primed and ready to join the Virginia Cavaliers for the 2016-17 season.

After spending two years at the University of Memphis, Nichols chose to transfer to Virginia, where he strongly considered committing straight out of high school.

Although he was forced to hire an attorney, Nichols was eventually given an unconditional release by Memphis, allowing the sophomore forward to accept a scholarship from any Division I program.

NCAA transfer rules forced Nichols to sit out for a year. However, beginning this season, he’ll have two remaining years of eligibility.

Nichols is a 6-foot-9, 232-pound power forward who should be able to immediately help the Cavaliers this season, particularly with the departure of seniors Malcolm Brogdon and Anthony Gill.

As a sophomore at Memphis, Nichols averaged 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 blocks and one assist per game. He played nearly 30 minutes per game and shot almost 50 percent from the floor. If Nichols can improve his shooting percentage from the free-throw line, where he is a bit of a liability, he’d be even more valuable in the coming seasons.

Keep an eye on Nichols this year and count on him being a difference maker for head coach Tony Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers.

Mar 17, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Purdue Boilermakers forward Vince Edwards (12) tries to shoot over a group of Arkansas Little Rock Trojans defenders in overtime during Purdue vs Arkansas Little Rock in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

9. Vince Edwards (Purdue)

After testing the NBA waters, working through the draft process and being evaluated by pro scouts, Purdue forward Vince Edwards decided to return to school for his junior season.

Edwards’ decision to return to Purdue came just hours before sophomore big man Caleb Swanigan chose to spurn the NBA in favor of college. Their decisions guaranteed that the Boilermakers’ talented front court would stay intact for at least one more season.

Also returning to Purdue in 2016 is 7-foot-2 junior center Isaac Haas. The trio of Edwards, Swanigan and Haas will be one of the biggest and best front courts in the Big Ten this season.

Edwards, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound small forward, averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 27.5 minutes per game last season. He’s particularly valuable as a three-point shooter and from the free-throw line, where he shoots 40.7 percent and 82 percent, respectively.

Edwards is an important piece of the puzzle for Purdue because of his versatility. With his size and athleticism, he can play either forward position. As a freshman, he primarily played the power forward position. Then as a sophomore, he shifted to his natural small forward position thanks to the arrival of the 6-foot-9, 260-pound Swanigan.

If the Boilermakers can get solid guard play, there’s no reason that they shouldn’t compete for a Big Ten championship with one of the most dominant front courts around.

Mar 26, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte’ Graham (4) shoots the ball against Villanova Wildcats forward Daniel Ochefu (23) during the second half of the south regional final of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

8. Devonte’ Graham (Kansas)

Devonte’ Graham enters his junior season at Kansas as the Jayhawks’ number-one scoring option from beyond the three-point line.

Given his propensity for shooting the deep ball in years past, it’s unlikely that he’ll be shy about pulling the trigger from three this season. More than half of the shots he attempted last season were three-pointers, and he connected on over 44 percent of them.

And with results like that, why would he hesitate?

As a sophomore, Graham scored 11.3 points per game along with 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He’s probably the Jayhawks’ most versatile player, given his ability to knock down shots and distribute to his teammates.

He hit 46 percent of his shots last season, including his 44.1 percent mark from three-point range, and 74.4 percent from the free-throw line.

With Frank Mason III alongside Graham in the back court and newcomer Josh Jackson on the wing, KU’s guard play is probably the best in the country.

Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) shoots the ball against Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) during the first half in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

7. Justin Jackson (North Carolina)

After narrowly falling short of their sixth NCAA Tournament Championship in April, the Tar Heels enter the 2016-17 season with unfinished business on their minds. UNC loses Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson to graduation, so they’ll need all hands on deck if they want to return to the Final Four in 2017.

Fortunately for head coach Roy Williams and the UNC faithful, the Tar Heels return a team in 2016 that has as much talent as it has experience.

Junior forward Justin Jackson is back in Carolina blue for his third go-round in Chapel Hill. If the Tar Heels are going to make a run in March, he’ll need to be at the center of it. Without Paige and Johnson, the Tar Heels will need their remaining veterans to step up.