Athlon Sports 2020-21 Preseason All-America Team

Author:
Athlon Sports
Publish date:
Nov 10, 2020

Of the consensus 2020 first-team All-Americans, four have either graduated or left early for the NBA. That can only mean one thing: lots of turnover in college basketball. But the Athlon Sports' college basketball All-America team is still loaded with familiar names.

Headlining the group is the one returning first-teamer, Iowa center Luka Garza. He nearly won the Naismith College Player of the Year last year after averaging 23.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Also joining him is No. 1 recruit Cade Cunningham, who is the only freshman to appear on our preseason All-American list over the last two years.

Rounding out the group is a trio of junior guards — Jared Butler, Ayo Dosunmu, and Marcus Zegarowski — who average a combined 48.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and11.4 assists per game. In all, 14 different programs were represented on our three teams, as Villanova was the only school to get a pair of picks.

First-Team All-Americans

Jared Butler, Jr., G, Baylor

Butler's team-leading 16.0 ppg last season is even more impressive when you consider how slowly the Bears' offensive pace is. He can shoot with volume (6.7 3-point attempts per game) and efficiency (38.1 percent) and has some of the best handles in the nation.

Cade Cunningham, Fr., G, Oklahoma State

Cunningham is one of the most hyped recruits in years thanks to outstanding length (6-foot-8, 7-foot wingspan) for the point guard position. His versatility and toughness gives him a high ceiling on both ends of the court, and he has a natural scoring gift.

Ayo Dosunmu, Jr., G, Illinois

It was a bit of a surprise when Dosunmu opted not to go pro this summer, and he'll have the chance to become Illinois' first player to lead the team in scoring for three straight seasons. Dosunmu has a high motor and thrives in the mid-range; he should be one of the Big Ten's top players once again.

Luka Garza, Sr., C, Iowa

Garza finished fifth in the nation in scoring last season and even stretched his range out to the 3-point line, where he shot a career-best 35.8 percent on 3.5 attempts per game. Garza has continued to improve his defense each season and has the Hawkeyes looking like a national championship contender.

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Marcus Zegarowski, Jr., G, Creighton

Zegarowski is one of the nation's premier 3-point shooters — in isolation or coming off screens — and is an exceptional field general to boot. He is coming off March knee surgery but will be ready to lead a dangerous Creighton that will need to replace Ty-Shon Alexander.