A-10 Preseason Top 25 Player Countdown: #5 Courtney Stockard

Welcome to A10 Talk’s Preseason Top 25 Player Countdown for the 2018-19 season. Each day, we’ll be publishing a new article counting down our best 25 players for the coming season, as voted on by our staff of writers. Today, we feature #5 Courtney Stockard of St. Bonaventure.

What He’s Done

A little over a year ago, Stockard was considering calling it a career after multiple injuries had prevented him from playing in either the ’15-’16 or ’16-’17 seasons. It turned out quite well for him, and for the Bonnies, that he decided to give it a go in 2018. Courtney averaged over 30 minutes, 6.3 rebounds, and 13.3 points per game, making him the third highest scorer on the team. While he may not have been the highest scoring player on the team, he arguably made more important plays than Jay Adams or Matt Mobley. He had the game-winning layup against Maryland, took what was likely the most important charge in St. Bonaventure history against Syracuse, and completely dominated in the Bonnies first NCAA Tournament win in 48 years against UCLA. He also consistently improved on his three-point shooting throughout the season. He started off shooting just 20% in his first 25 games but shot 44% from behind the arc in his final eight games.

What He’ll Do

Stockard’s heroics and consistent improvement throughout last season earned him A-10 Preseason Second Team All-Conference honors this past Wednesday at the A-10 media day in Brooklyn. Unlike last year though, Stockard will not be overlooked in opposing teams scouting reports. There were times last year when teams dared Stockard to shoot, such as their final regular season game against St. Louis, where he took 18 shots and scored 22 points. This season will look very different. Stockard won’t be able to catch anyone by surprise, and will likely be relied upon to be the top scorer for a very young Bonnies team.

Unfortunately for Stockard and the Bonnies, it appears he’ll miss at least a few games at the start of the season as he finishes his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery he had during the offseason. Hopefully, the Bonnies will have him back for their holiday tournament in the Cayman Islands. If Stockard is fully healthy (which is a HUGE if) for the A-10 season, I expect him to average around 20 points, and close to 10 rebounds, per game. Like most Bonnies teams during Schmidt’s tenure, this years team was given little respect in the preseason poll. If a Stockard led team can exceed expectations, and potentially find their way into a top four or five A-10 finish, Courtney has a chance to end his college career as A-10 POTY.

Previously: #6 Jeff Dowtin