James O’Donnell, Josh Dent lead rankings

• James O’Donnell explodes for 34 and 10 in dominant outing.
• Emmett Adair delivers another high-scoring performance for Loyola Maryland.
• Tuburu Naivalurua continues elite two-way impact for Oakland.
• Alex Condon impresses against UCONN with elite defence and playmaking.
• Oscar Cluff posts dominant double-double despite foul trouble.

December is now upon us, and we’re starting to see clear shifts in performances from the Australian NCAAM contingent as rotations tighten and the level of competition rises.

From the emergence of Josh Dent at Saint Mary’s to the continued productivity of Joseph Locandro in his first Division I season, there’s plenty to keep across this week.

1. James O’Donnell – Portland – 34 pts, 10 rebs in 24 mins vs Lewis & Clark (D3)

James O’Donnell didn’t see much opportunity as a freshman at San Francisco, but things have flipped dramatically since his transfer to Portland. The Pilots have become fertile ground for Aussies, and O’Donnell has held down a consistent starting role — but his outing against Lewis & Clark jumped off the page.

Undersized Portland repeatedly fed him inside, and he delivered a bruising 34-point, 10-rebound night. The obvious caveat: it came against Division III opposition. Even so, the aggression and confidence were undeniable. The next challenge is translating this production against top-flight competition as the season intensifies.

2. Emmett Adair – Loyola Maryland – 21 pts, 5 rebs vs VMI

We highlighted Adair’s explosive 29-point breakout against Coppin State earlier in the season, but an immediate follow-up of 3 points (1–6 FG) and a foul-out against Hampton raised questions about consistency.

Those questions were put to bed against VMI, where Adair once again top-scored with 21 points in an 86–70 loss. The freshman’s aggressiveness and touch around the rim continue to shine, and his upward trend is unmistakable as his role expands.

3. Josh Dent – Saint Mary’s – 21 pts, 5 ast, 3 rebs vs Davidson

Josh Dent wasn’t a heavy feature early in the season, but the signs were there: increased trust from staff, starting point guard duties, and steady production.

Now the breakout is happening in real time.

Dent’s 21-point performance against a high-quality Davidson outfit was the clearest indicator yet of his growth. He ran the offence with poise, scored efficiently, and delivered in a meaningful win — all hallmarks of a guard ready to take the next step.

4. Tuburu Naivalurua – Oakland – 18 pts, 5 rebs, 3 ast, 2 blk, 2 stl vs Toledo

Sydney’s Tuburu “Buru” Naivalurua has played 10 games this season — and scored in double digits in nine of them. His consistency extends far beyond scoring, showcased by his all-round stat-line against Toledo.

With elite-level strength and explosive athleticism, Naivalurua’s two-way activity has been pivotal in Oakland’s four-game win streak. He is impacting winning at a high clip, and his trajectory continues to climb.

5. Alex Condon – Florida – 14 pts, 9 rebs, 4 ast, 3 blk vs UCONN

Another week, another rock-solid outing from Australia’s premier college player.

Matched up with Jacob Furphy’s UCONN Huskies, Condon delivered once again — contributing 14 points and nine boards, but it was his defence that impressed most. His rim protection, rotations, and physicality against elite competition continue to reaffirm his reputation as a legitimate first-round NBA prospect.

If the scoring consistency sharpens just a touch, his draft stock will rise even further.

6. Oscar Cluff – Purdue – 14 pts, 11 rebs in 19 mins vs Minnesota

The only thing slowing Oscar Cluff this week was foul trouble.

After posting 10 points and six rebounds earlier in the week against Iowa State — while collecting four fouls — Cluff fouled out against Minnesota after just 19 minutes. But in those 19 minutes, he produced a dominant 14-point, 11-rebound performance.

Cluff remains one of the most productive per-minute big men in the entire country, and his impact continues to be undeniable.

7. Lachlan Brewer – Idaho State – 17 pts, 7 rebs vs Denver

Tasmanian guard–forward hybrid Lachlan Brewer has become one of the more intriguing Aussie transfers to track this season.

Since arriving at Idaho State, Brewer has logged 30+ minutes in each of his past three games, scoring in double digits in all of them. His 17-point showing against Denver was the highlight, combining efficient scoring with strong defensive contributions. His rise into a pivotal role for the Bengals is well underway.

8. Joseph Locandro – Maryland Eastern Shore – 20 pts, 4 rebs, 2 ast vs American

Locandro has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the season. In his first year at Division I level, he’s averaging 12.2 points per game — the best of his college career across all levels.

The key factor? He’s shooting an elite 53.5% from three.

UMES may be struggling at 4–9, but Locandro has been a bright spot, stretching the floor, scoring efficiently, and giving the Hawks a reliable offensive anchor.