Five Minute Guide

Department of Rejections

Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Combines stout defense with soft shooting touch—led Big 12 in blocks (2.4 a game), was second in rebounds (10.6) and averaged 14.6 points.

Taj Gibson, USC
Versatile 6'9" junior ranked fifth in the country in blocks (2.8 per game) and led the Trojans in scoring (14.3) and boards (9.4).

Dallas Lauderdale, Ohio State
A physical low-post player, 6'8", 255-pound sophomore also has some hops; he tied for second in the Big Ten in blocks (2.0 per game).

Luke Nevill, Utah
The 7'2" Australia native, who followed countryman Andrew Bogut to Salt Lake City, led Utes in blocks (2.7) and scoring (16.9).

Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State
Nation's top shot blocker, 6'9" junior broke Shaquille O'Neal's 17-year-old SEC record for blocks in a season with 165—and counting.

Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
The 7'3" junior was second in the country with 4.6 blocks a game, and had greatly improved scoring (13.7) and rebounding (10.9).

Trey Makers

Amber Bland, North Carolina A&T
Versatile senior led the MEAC in three-point shooting (43.5%), was second on her team in scoring (15.8) and third in rebounds (5.9).

Briann January, Arizona State
Two-time Pac-10 defensive player of the year can light it up as well as lock it down: She hit a conference-best 45.2% from beyond the arc.