Wiggins may or may not be getting $180 million to wear Adidas. (USATSI)
Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins will make an immediate impact for the Jayhawks. (USATSI)

More player rankings: Top 30 Points and Combos  | Top 30 Wings | Top 30 Bigs

This is about college basketball players -- not pro prospects.

In other words, our list of the sport's top 100 players -- the CBSSports.com Top 100! -- has nothing to do with what we think these prospects might be in the NBA, and it should not be interpreted that way. This is about these players at this level this season, and let me explain how we compiled the list. I, along with my colleagues Jeff Borzello and Matt Norlander, exchanged emails for more than a week. We basically sent each other lists of 10 players at a time. A player had to be on at least two lists before he could be included. So we established a top seven after Round 1, a top 13 after Round 2, a top 17 after Round 3 … so on and so forth. We argued and called each other names. It got heated at times. But, late Monday, we finally settled on a top 97, and then we each picked one player on our own to complete things and assemble this list of the 100 best college basketball players.

Now it's time for you to pick it part.

So have at it.

CBSSports.com Top 100 Players

1. Andrew Wiggins
Kansas
Vitals:  6-8 | Fr. | G
Comment: Wiggins is projected as the consensus No. 1 pick of next June's NBA Draft. So he's only spending one year in college. And, as you can see by this ranking, he's expected to have a terrific season and maybe lead Kansas to a 10th straight Big 12 title. -- Gary Parrish


2. Marcus Smart

Oklahoma State

Vitals:  6-4 | Soph. | G

Comment: Smart passed on the chance to be a top-five pick to return to Oklahoma State. He's capable of leading the Cowboys to the Final Four. -- Jeff Borzello


3. Doug McDermott

Creighton

Vitals:  6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: McDermott is the premier scorer in college basketball. Don't get caught up in his NBA potential; enjoy him in his final year of college hoops. -- Matt Norlander


4. Russ Smith

Louisville

Vitals:  6-1 | Sr. | G

Comment: Smith was the best player on the nation's best team last season. His return to Louisville for his senior season will give the Cards a chance to repeat as national champions.


5. Julius Randle

Kentucky

Vitals:  6-9 | Fr. | F

Comment: Wiggins is getting more attention among the nation’s freshmen. But Randle is a physical specimen ready to dominate. -- JB


6. Jabari Parker

Duke

Vitals:  6-8 | Fr. | F

Comment: Parker was The Best Since LeBron® before Wiggins was The Best Since LeBron®. The Chicago native is the real deal because the game comes naturally to him. He's a great decision maker, a true 3 and a player that's going to contribute in just about every way. -- MN


7. Gary Harris

Michigan State

Vitals:  6-4 | Soph. | G

Comment: Harris battled injuries most of last season and has done the same this preseason. But he should be healthy soon and good enough to become the Big Ten Player of the Year. -- GP


8. Aaron Craft

Ohio State

Vitals:  6-2 | Sr. | G

Comment: One of the nation’s premier defenders and leaders, Craft is ready to take on a bigger offensive role with DeShaun Thomas gone. -- JB


9. Jahii Carson

Arizona State

Vitals:  5-10 | Soph. | G

Comment: Smart enters the season as the nation's best point guard. I can see a world where Carson is considered better by February. Averaged 18.5 points and 5.1 assists last season. Those numbers will go up. -- MN


10. Aaron Gordon

Arizona

Vitals:  6-8 | Fr. | F

Comment: Gordon averaged 16.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship, where he was USA Basketball's MVP. That performance secured his place as a projected future lottery pick. -- GP


11. Mitch McGary

Michigan

Vitals:  6-10 | Soph. | F

Comment: The sophomore big averaged 14.3 points and 10.7 boards in the NCAA tournament; can he do that consistently this regular season? -- JB


12. Andrew Harrison

Kentucky

Vitals:  6-5 | Fr. | G

Comment: Harrison is believed to be second only to John Wall in terms of UK point guards under John Calipari. At 6-5, 210 pounds, he's built tremendously well and will be a force because of his size and vicious, attacking personality. -- MN


13. Willie Cauley-Stein

Kentucky

Vitals:  7-0 | Soph. | F

Comment: Cauley-Stein could've been a lottery pick despite serving a reserve for much of his freshman season. He's the best of three future NBA bigs on the Kentucky roster. -- GP


14. Rodney Hood

Duke

Vitals:  6-8 | Soph. | F

Comment: After transferring from Mississippi State and sitting out last season, Hood is recovered from an Achilles injury he suffered in the summer. -- JB


15. Adreian Payne

Michigan State

Vitals:  6-9 | Sr. | F

Comment: Payne is a beast of a forward for Michigan State and said to be in great shape and ready to dominate the league. He plays taller than 6-9 because he gets above the rim on both ends. -- MN


16. Montrezl Harrell

Louisville

Vitals:  6-8 | Soph. | F

Comment: Rick Pitino told me this summer that he expects to coach Harrell for just one more season. This will be college basketball's breakout player, most think. -- GP


17. C.J. Fair

Syracuse

Vitals:  6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: Underrated nationally, Fair is the focal point of what should be one of the deepest frontcourts around. He can score in different ways. -- JB


18. Glenn Robinson III

Michigan

Vitals:  6-6 | Soph. | F

Comment: Robinson's NBA stock should be for the better after returning to school. He has a smooth stroke and a great pro body. -- MN


19. Semaj Christon

Xavier

Vitals:  6-3 | Fr. | G

Comment: Christon is a pro point guard who mostly operated off the radar last season because Xavier was done, relatively speaking. But NBA scouts saw him plenty. -- GP


20. Shabazz Napier

UConn

Vitals:  6-1 | Sr. | G

Comment: The Huskies are looking to rebound after last season’s postseason ban. It will be up to Napier to lead the way. -- JB


21. Spencer Dinwiddie

Colorado

Vitals:  6-6 | Jr. | G

Comment: Colorado's been pumping out NBA talent in recent years, and Dinwiddie should be the next pro. He has a great first step he can use for penetration or for setting up the defender to pop a jumper. -- MN


22. Cleanthony Early

Wichita State

Vitals:  6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: Early became nationally prominent last season during Wichita State's run to the Final Four. But he was good all season and could be an All-American this season. -- GP


23. Joe Harris

Virginia

Vitals:  6-6 | Sr. | G

Comment: The ACC’s leading returning scorer has more help this season. So Harris could end up more efficient and consistent. -- JB


24. Isaiah Austin

Baylor

Vitals:  7-1 | Soph. | C

Comment: He'll be thankful in the long run that he chose at least two years of college before moving to the NBA. Austin is a center but he's the lankiest, tweeniest center I can ever remember. He's a danger all over the court but still not a master of his skills yet. -- MN


25. Alex Poythress

Kentucky

Vitals:  6-7 | Soph. | F

Comment: Poythress was wildly inconsistent last season, much like Kentucky's team. But he sure did have his moments, and there will be more of them this season with a year of experience from which to grow. -- GP


26. LaQuinton Ross

Ohio State

Vitals:  6-8 | Jr. | F

Comment: Ross scored at least 17 points in his final three games last season. He will need to do that on a regular basis this year. -- JB


27. Kyle Anderson

UCLA

Vitals:  6-9 | Soph. | G-F

Comment: A point forward that was stunted under Ben Howland, even when Howland tried to loosen up his tactics. He's got great length, good vision and plays at his own pace -- in a good way. Future NBA pick, certainly. -- MN


28. Joel Embiid

Kansas

Vitals:  7-0 | Fr. | C

Comment: I was blown away when I saw Embiid workout late last month at KU. So long. Remarkably skilled. He can be the first pick of the 2015 NBA Draft if he spends two years in college, but I'm not sure he'll spend two years in college. -- GP


29. Sam Dekker

Wisconsin

Vitals:  6-7 | Soph. | F

Comment: The skilled sophomore started to hit his stride in Big Ten play; Dekker could breakout with the Badgers losing their entire frontcourt. -- JB


30. James Michael McAdoo

North Carolina

Vitals:  6-9 | Jr. | F

Comment: He was ranked 13th overall by us last year, and I knew it was too high then. This is more his speed. The junior forward is a good transition defender for his size and will probably be even better on the boards this season. -- MN


31. Wayne Selden

Kansas

Vitals:  6-3 | Fr. | G

Comment: Selden is a relentless attacking guard who seems to be more aggressive than his more heralded classmate and teammate. He could be a future lottery pick, too. -- GP


32. Jordan Adams

UCLA

Vitals:  6-5 | Soph. | G

Comment: Other players got more attention for the Bruins a season ago, but Adams was the team’s most consistent option. -- JB


33. Rasheed Sulaimon

Duke

Vitals:  6-4 | Soph. | G

Comment: Sulaimon is probably one of my five favorite players in the sport. He can have a mean streak in a good way and, if he wants, can be the vocal leader for Duke this season. Will he elevate to be a 15 point-per-game guy? -- MN


34. Tyler Haws

BYU

Vitals:  6-5 | Jr. | G

Comment: Haws averaged 21.7 points per game last season. He's the WCC's best player, which is rare for somebody who doesn't wear a Gonzaga jersey. -- GP


35. Marshall Henderson

Ole Miss

Vitals:  6-2 | Sr. | G

Comment: Take away the on-court antics and off-court issues, and Henderson is still one of the best pure scorers in the country. -- JB


36. Aaron Harrison

Kentucky

Vitals:  6-6 | Fr. | G

Comment: The lesser talented of the twins in UK's backcourt, Harrison is the shooting guard who's still projected as a first-round pick by many. In reality he might be hurt on this list due to the team he's on and all that surrounds him. -- MN


37. Cory Jefferson

Baylor

Vitals:  6-9 | Sr. | F

Comment: Jefferson averaged more points in fewer minutes last season than his more celebrated teammate (Austin). He's a big part of a terrific frontcourt. -- GP


38. P.J. Hairston

North Carolina

Vitals:  6-5 | Soph. | G

Comment: Hairston will miss games this season. But he should be back in plenty enough time to become the Tar Heels’ go-to-guy on the wing. -- JB


39. Chane Behanan

Louisville

Vitals:  6-8 | Jr. | F

Comment: Behanan is famous for being the recruit Rick Pitino once said was his best since Jamal Mashburn. Behanan's not that, but he is reliable within 12 feet of the hoop. He should be a double-double guy this year now that Gorgui Dieng's 9.4 rebounds per game are gone. -- MN


40. Jarnell Stokes

Tennessee

Vitals:  6-8 | Jr. | F

Comment: What Stokes lacks in size he makes up for with pure strength and bulk. He'll lead the Vols to the NCAA tournament this season. -- GP


41. Kevin Pangos

Gonzaga

Vitals:  6-2 | Jr. | G

Comment: Pangos was up and down late in the season but will have a bigger offensive role this season with the focus for the Zags moving to the backcourt. -- JB


42.. Jordan McRae

Tennessee

Vitals:  6-6 | Sr. | G

Comment: McRae led the Vols in scoring last season and should do it again this season. -- MN


43. Sean Kilpatrick

Cincinnati

Vitals:  6-4 | Sr. | G

Comment: If Cincinnati cracks the top three in the American Athletic Conference, Kilpatrick will be the reason. He's averaged double-figures in points in all three years of college. -- GP


44. Noah Vonleh

Indiana

Vitals:  6-10 | Fr. | F

Comment: There is opportunity for a freshman to blossom in Bloomington this season. The talented Vonleh is the best candidate to do so. -- JB


45. Joe Jackson

Memphis

Vitals:  6-1 | Sr. | G

Comment: Now a senior at Memphis, Jackson has become a steadier hand and much more able to handle his duties than he was two or three years ago. He'll drive a Tigers backcourt that's arguably the best in college basketball. -- MN


46. Kendall Williams

New Mexico

Vitals:  6-4 | Sr. | G

Comment: The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year scored 46 points against Colorado State last season. He can carry the Lobos. -- JB


47. Alex Kirk

New Mexico

Vitals:  7-0 | Jr. | C

Comment: Kirk made a big jump (in minutes per game and production) from his freshman to sophomore year. Might another jump be on the way? -- GP


48. Jarell Martin

LSU

Vitals:  6-9 | Fr. | F

Comment: Martin is a five-star guy out of Baton Rouge that Johnny Jones was able to keep local. He's one of those "oozing potential" players. -- MN


49. Michael Dixon

Memphis

Vitals:  6-1 | Sr. |G

Comment: Dixon was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 at Missouri. His transfer to Memphis might be what pushes the Tigers to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament. -- GP


50. Andre Hollins

Minnesota

Vitals:  6-1 | Jr. | G

Comment: Half of the unrelated all-Hollins backcourt, Andre can do a little of everything and will be asked to do more this season under first-year coach Richard Pitino. -- JB


51. Dez Wells

Maryland

Vitals:  6-5 | Jr. | G-F

Comment: At his best, Dez Wells is a top 30 player. But we're projecting as best we can what a player will give in full, and Wells is likely to be quite good, but not undeniably great. -- MN


52. Markel Brown

Oklahoma State

Vitals:  6-3 | Sr. | G

Comment: Smart gets all of the attention at OSU. But Brown essentially averaged the same amount of points last season while shooting a better percentage. -- GP


53. T.J. Warren

North Carolina State

Vitals:  6-8 | Soph. | F

Comment: With all five starters gone from a year ago, Warren will have the chance to demonstrate his outstanding scoring ability. -- JB


54. Olivier Hanlan

Boston College

Vitals:  6-4 | Soph. | G

Comment: Hanlan led the Eagles in points as a freshman and is already projected by some to be a second-round pick. There's a lot on his shoulders this season. -- MN


55. Juvonte Reddic

VCU

Vitals:  6-9 | Sr. | F

Comment: Reddic averaged 15 and eight for Shaka Smart last season. He's 6-9 and perfect for the HAVOC style of play. -- GP


56. Branden Dawson

Michigan State

Vitals:  6-6 | Jr. G-F

Comment: Dawson’s scoring numbers took a hit in the second half of the season, but he’s a terrific offensive rebounder. -- JB


57. Jerrelle Benimon

Towson

Vitals:  6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: Benimon is arguably -- arguably -- the best player in the nation from a non-power conference. He's a 6-8 forward who can pass and doesn't tire. -- MN


58. Chaz Williams

UMass

Vitals:  5-9 | Sr. | G

Comment: Williams is tiny but great. Don't be surprised when he leads UMass to the NCAA tournament this season. -- GP


59. Nick Johnson

Arizona

Vitals:  6-3 | Jr. | G

Comment: Johnson is an outstanding athlete, a terrific defender, and he can play both guard spots. But can he be a go-to-guy for the Wildcats? -- JB


60. Le'Bryan Nash

Oklahoma State

Vitals:  6-7 | Jr. | G-F

Comment: It's been potential, potential, potential with Nash to this point. He's become a good college player that teases with next-level material. If he can't be a top-60 player in college hoops playing alongside Marcus Smart, it's time to worry. -- MN


61. Treveon Graham

VCU

Vitals:  6-6 | Jr. |G

Comment: Graham led the Rams in scoring last season while developing into a reliable option on the wing. There's no reason to think he won't be even better this season. -- GP


62. Augustine Rubit

South Alabama

Vitals:  6-7 | Sr. | F

Comment: Rubit is a threat to get 20 and 10 every night and could end his career with an NCAA tournament appearance. -- JB


63. Dwayne Evans

Saint Louis

Vitals:  6-5 | Sr. | F

Comment: Evans is a compact, abusing player that represents so well what Saint Louis is all about. He's the leading man on a team that won by committee last season. Will he rise above this year? -- MN


64. Elfrid Payton

Louisiana-Lafayette

Vitals:  6-3 | Sr. | G

Comment: Payton was the surprise of USA Basketball this summer after his coach, Bob Marlin, really pushed for Payton to get a spot on the roster. Now he's considered an NBA prospect. -- GP


65. Derrick Marks

Boise State

Vitals:  6-3 | Jr. | G

Comment: Marks had six separate games last season in which he scored 25 or more points – and five games in which he dished out seven or more assists. -- JB


66. Bryce Cotton

Providence

Vitals:  6-3 | Jr. | G

Comment: Vincent Council was Providence's best player entering last year, but that was most definitely not the case by conference play … because of Cotton. He'll probably average more than 20 points per game this season. -- MN


67. Dwight Powell

Stanford

Vitals:  6-10 | Sr. | F

Comment: Powell is an All-Pac-12 player and future NBA Draft pick who will be largely responsible for where Johnny Dawkins' career goes from here. -- GP


68. Nik Stauskas

Michigan

Vitals:  6-6 | Soph. | G

Comment: Stauskas won’t be a third or fourth option on offensive anymore, not with Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. gone. He'll have a chance to show he’s not just a 3-point shooter. -- JB


69. Tyler Ennis

Syracuse

Vitals:  6-2 | Fr. | G

Comment: This point guard who played for Team Canada over the summer has Syracuse fans not really fretting over losing dynamic sophomore Michael Carter-Williams. Ennis is a different kind of man with the ball, but he'll most likely adapt faster as a freshman than Carter-Williams did. -- MN


70. Chris Jones

Louisville

Vitals:  5-10 | Jr. | G

Comment: Peyton Siva was a nice senior leader, but most think Louisville upgraded a point guard with the addition of Jones. He's the reigning National Junior College Player of the Year. -- GP


71. Deonte Burton

Nevada

Vitals:  6-1 | Sr. | G

Comment: The Wolf Pack were a disappointment in their first season in the Mountain West, but it wasn’t Burton’s fault. He could be an NBA player. -- JB

72. Melvin Ejim

Iowa State

Vitals: 6-6 | Sr. | F

Comment: Ejim is a tweener forward who can play down low but floats to the mid-range as well. He'll easily average a double-double this year. -- MN


73. James Young

Kentucky

Vitals:  6-6 | Fr. | G

Comment: Young is more of a natural wing than Alex Poythress but will have his minutes limited because of Alex Poythress. Either way, he's a special talent. Could be a freshman role player and sophomore All-American. -- GP


74. Justin Cobbs

California

Vitals:  6-3 | Sr. | G

Comment: Cobbs injured his right foot in August but should be good for the start of the season. How he adapts without backcourt partner Allan Crabbe will be interesting. -- JB


75. Markel Starks

Georgetown

Vitals:  6-2 | Sr. | G

Comment: The senior point guard had a muted breakout year last season due to the fact Otto Porter was putting up ridiculous numbers while carrying Georgetown to a No. 2 seed. Starks can/should average 15 points and four assists this season. -- MN


76. Will Sheehey

Indiana

Vitals:  6-7 | Sr. | F

Comment: Sheehey is Indiana's leading returning scorer and one of the few Hoosiers you'll actually recognize from last season's team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. -- GP


77. Jerian Grant

Notre Dame

Vitals:  6-5 | Sr. | G

Comment: Grant's heroics against Louisville in the five-overtime game got him some attention, but his all-around skillset will keep eyes on him this season. -- JB


78. Mike Moser

Oregon

Vitals:  6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: We ranked him top 10 last year! Moser was at UNLV then, and his 2012-13 season underwhelmed. Personally, I think he's still a top-70 player if he buys into what should be a fun Oregon offense. -- MN


79. Wesley Saunders

Harvard

Vitals:  6-5 | Jr. | G-F

Comment: Saunders is the best player on a Harvard team that should cruise to an Ivy title and really scare somebody in the NCAA tournament. -- GP


80. Corey Hawkins

UC-Davis

Vitals:  6-3 | Jr. | G

Comment: The son of former NBA veteran Hersey Hawkins, Corey is one of the best scorers on the West coast. He can really shoot it. -- JB


81. Ryan Anderson

Boston College

Vitals:  6-9 | Jr. | F

Comment: Boston College has been mediocre the past two seasons. So chances are you haven't seen the 6-9 Anderson establish himself as one of the better bigs in the ACC. -- MN


82. Keith Appling

Michigan State

Vitals:  6-1 | Sr. | G

Comment: The Spartans need Appling to be better and more consistent than he was last season. If he is, Michigan State could win the national championship. -- GP


83. Anthony Drmic

Boise State

Vitals:  6-6 | Jr. | G-F

Comment: Drmic combines with Derrick Marks to form a dangerous duo at Boise State -- with Drmic providing the consistent long-range shooting. -- JB


84. Johnny O'Bryant

LSU

Vitals:  6-9 | Jr. | F

Comment: LSU's probably making the NCAAs this year and O'Bryant will lead the charge. Big man put up 14 points and nine rebounds per game last season, basically playing in the shadows. -- MN


85. Jakarr Sampson

St. John's

Vitals:  6-9 | Soph. | F

Comment: St. John's could win the Big East -- but only if Sampson is even better than he was last season. And he was really good last season while averaging 15 points and six rebounds per game. -- GP


86. Dakari Johnson

Kentucky

Vitals:  7-0 | Fr. | Sr.

Comment: He might not start right off the bat, but Johnson is a low-post force who can carve out position and finish at the basket. He’s talented. -- JB


87. Ryan Boatright

UConn

Vitals:  6-0 | Jr. | G

Comment: Personally, I wouldn't have Boatright on this list. But let's talk positive: great in transition, unafraid player, has a penchant for being a spark plug. Near-impossible to stop in open space. -- MN


88. Trevor Releford

Alabama

Vitals:  6-0 | Sr. | G

Comment: Releford needs to be an All-SEC player for Alabama to reach its potential. He's probably the SEC's best point guard not named Andrew Harrison. -- GP


89. Eric Atkins

Notre Dame

Vitals:  6-2 | Sr. | G

Comment: Atkins faded somewhat down the stretch, but his ability to run the show will be key as Notre Dame pushes toward the top 10 in the national polls. -- JB


90. Mike Tobey

Virginia

Vitals:  6-11 | Soph. | F-C

Comment: Tony Bennett told me this summer that Tobey's growth as an all-around player has been huge, and he'll be a viable 5 man for the Cavs this year. -- MN


91. Jake Odum

Indiana State

Vitals:  6-4 | Sr. | G

Comment: Doug McDermott is out of the MVC. So now Odum has a real shot at winning the league's Player of the Year award. -- GP


92. C.J. Wilcox

Washington

Vitals:  6-5 | Sr. | G

Comment: Before a foot injury hampered him down the stretch, Wilcox was on pace to put up more than 20 points per game in the Pac-12. -- JB


93. Jabari Bird

California

Vitals:  6-6 | Fr. | G

Comment: This McDonald's All-American is an explosive athlete and basically a bonus piece for the Bears that will have them contending in the Pac-12. -- MN


94. Alec Brown

Green Bay

Vitals:  7-1 | Sr. | F-C

Comment: Butler left the Horizon but the league still has an NBA prospect. Brown is that NBA prospect. -- GP


95. Georges Niang

Iowa State

Vitals:  6-7 | Soph. | F

Comment: Niang is a difficult matchup for opponents due to his ability to shoot from the perimeter and knack for scoring at the rim. -- JB


96. Davante Gardner

Marquette

Vitals:  6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment: My favorite thing about Davante Gardner is how he continued to kick Big East butt last year despite nasty, inappropriate chants and heckles from opposing fans about his weight. -- MN


97. Geron Johnson

Memphis

Vitals:  6-3 Sr. | G

Comment: Most considered Johnson a risk for Josh Pastner, but he's been splendid on and off the court. The former junior college star is one of the nation's best perimeter defenders. -- GP


98. Eric Mika

BYU

Vitals:  6-9 | Fr. | F

Comment: Mika could be one of the nation’s most impactful freshmen. He rebounds at both ends, has a nice touch, and is physical in the paint. -- JB


99. Anthony Ireland

Loyola-Marymount

Vitals:  5-10 | Sr. | G

Comment: Our final three guys listed were our own choices to get on the list. I fought for Ireland in the 60s. He'll lead the WCC in scoring and carry that team -- at under 6 feet tall. Monster player that commands high respect in that conference. -- MN


100. Josh Davis

San Diego State

Vitals:  6-8 | Sr. | F

Comment:  Davis averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds at Tulane last season. He'll have an immediate (and big) impact at SDSU. -- GP