The NCAA Tournament is coming to Brooklyn this week, but there are plenty of players with New York connections fanning out across the country for the Big Dance. Here’s a look at the top players with New York roots in the field:
The Post’s All-Area First Team
Sr. G RJ Davis (21.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG)
School: North Carolina | Hometown: White Plains, N.Y.
One of the nation’s premier guards, the Archbishop Stepinac alum had a breakthrough season, setting career highs in scoring, steals and 3-point percentage while lowering his turnover rate. The ACC Player of the Year is undersized as a 6-foot shooting guard, but he maximizes his ability.
Sr. G Aaron Estrada (13.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG)
School: Alabama | Hometown: Woodbury, N.J.
The former Hofstra star took another shot at the high-major level, and unlike his one season at Oregon, Estrada thrived. A 6-foot-3, fifth-year senior, he’s a linchpin to the nation’s second-ranked offense in terms of efficiency, its second-leading scorer and top distributor.
Sr. G/F Cormac Ryan (11.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG)
School: North Carolina | Hometown: Manhattan
A major factor in North Carolina’s strong bounce-back season after missing out on the NCAA Tournament last March, the Notre Dame transfer provides shotmaking and quality defense on the wing, and has had success in the tournament, winning two games in 2022 with the Fighting Irish.
Sr. G Tyson Walker (18.2 PPG, 2.9 APG)
School: Michigan State | Hometown: Westbury, L.I.
Walker led the Spartans to the Sweet 16 last year and is hoping to go even further this March. Similar to Davis, the 6-foot-2 Walker’s size doesn’t hinder his ability to score at all three levels. Michigan State will go only as far as he can take it.
Sr. G Zakai Zeigler (11.9 PPG, 5.8 APG)
School: Tennessee | Hometown: Wyandanch, L.I.
A defensive pest and improving offensive player, the 5-foot-9 Zeigler is a stalwart for Final Four contender Tennessee. Few players will be as motivated this month: He tore his ACL prior to last year’s postseason, missing out on the Volunteers’ run to the Sweet 16.
Second Team
Player, School, Hometown, Stats
Jr. G Kobe Brea, Dayton, Washington Heights, 10.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG
Sr. F Darnell Brodie, Drake, Newark, N.J., 11.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG
Fr. G Elliot Cadeau, North Carolina, West Orange, N.J., 7.6 PPG, 4.2 APG
Sr. G Hassan Diarra, Connecticut, Queens, 6.0 PPG, 2.5 APG
So. G/F Ryan Dunn, Virginia, Freeport, L.I., 8.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG
Third Team
Jr. G/F Tahron Allen, Wagner, Brooklyn, 10.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG
Fr. C Aaron Bradshaw, Kentucky, Roselle, N.J., 5.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG
So. F Jamarques Lawrence, Nebraska, Plainfield, N.J., 6.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG
Sr. G Michael O’Connell, N.C. State, Mineola, L.I., 5.7 PPG, 3.0 APG
Jr. G C.J. Wilcher, Nebraska, Plainfield, N.J., 7.9 PPG, 1.5 APG