Many March Madness viewers will be introduced to college basketball’s top players for the first time during the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Future NBA stars will take center stage over the next few weeks in Indiana, while other players who won’t have lengthy careers at the next level will capture the country as they attempt to win a national championship.

Here are five players to watch for while rooting for your bracket.

Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State

Barring something unforeseen, Cunningham will be the first pick in this year’s NBA Draft, notes Yahoo. One of the best prospects of the last decade, the freshman can do just about everything on offense. Averaging 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 41.2% from a 3-point range, Cunningham has a chance to carry the Cowboys to the Final Four.

Luka Garza, Iowa

The senior isn’t expected to thrive in the pros like other names on the list, but he’s been college basketball’s best player over the last two years. Garza is the team's all-time leading scorer, averaging just under 24.0 points per game for the second straight season. The big man is grabbing 8.8 rebounds per game and even shoots 40.7% from behind the arc. Garza gives Iowa a real chance to reach its first Final Four in decades.

Luka Garza Iowa Illinois
Luka Garza #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes shoots the ball over Kofi Cockburn #21 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half of the Big Ten men's basketball tournament semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 13, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Evan Mobley, USC

The seven-footer might be the second player taken in the NBA Draft, following an outstanding freshman season. At 19 years old, Mobley was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and overall Player of the Year. Mobley blocks 3.0 shots per game to go along with averages of 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 58.4% shooting from the field. The USC scored 26 points in both of the team’s conference tournament games, potentially giving a preview of what’s to come in the NCAA Tournament.

Corey Kispert, Gonzaga

Several Gonzaga players could’ve made this list. The team is loaded with talent from potential top-three draft pick Jalen Suggs to second-leading scorer Drew Timme, but it's Kispert that leads the Bulldogs with 19.2 points per game while shooting an exceptional 44.4% from the 3-point range. A possible lottery pick, Kispert could be the best player for Gonzaga during a championship run.

Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois

Illinois might be the biggest threat to Gonzaga’s title hopes, and Dosunmu is the Fighting Illini’s most important player. The junior guard does it all with 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Dosunmu rarely comes off the floor, playing 35.1 minutes per game for a team that’s only lost once in the last two months. Dosunmu has scored at least 30 points three times this season.

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