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20 under-the-radar freshmen for the 2023-24 college basketball season

It’s never too early to start looking ahead!

Check below for our list of 20 under-the-radar freshmen for the 2023-24 college basketball season.

In no particular order:

Joseph Tugler, Houston: Many people aren’t familiar with Tugler’s ruggedness, but it won’t stay that way for long. The 6-7 forward is tailor made for the Cougars and should have an immediate impact under Kelvin Sampson. Tugler had 13 points and nine rebounds — including seven offensive rebounds — in last Saturday’s exhibition game.

Kyshawn George, Miami: A 6-8 guard, George has gifts from God physically. Don’t be shocked if this kid winds up as the Hurricanes’ most important reserve during the 2023-24 season — he’s that talented.

Jackson Shelstad, Oregon: Much like Payton Pritchard, Shelstad has a chance to start for the Ducks at point guard as a freshman. A table setting floor general with a tremendous feel for the game, Shelstad’s ability to make a major impact will go a long way in determining whether or not Oregon can return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. 

KJ Lewis, Arizona: Lewis doesn’t arrive in Tucson with the same cachet as the players — Jaden Bradley (Alabama), Caleb Love (North Carolina), and Keshad Johnson (San Diego State) — that Tommy Lloyd added out of the transfer portal, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not going to be a valuable reserve. The 6-4 Lewis can make a real impact for this team defensively on the wing and should be able to generate easy baskets in transition. This has a chance to be an unsung presence for Arizona during the 2023-24 season. 

Yves Missi, Baylor: The emergence of the 6-10 Missi has given the Bears a third capable center in their rotation. That’s bad news for the rest of the Big 12. With Missi, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and Josh Ojianwuna, Scott Drew now has 15 fouls to use against each opponent up front.

Jarin Stevenson, Alabama: Nate Oats loves this 6-11 power forward, who has been a massive surprise for the Crimson Tide during the preseason. Stevenson is trending towards being a starter for Alabama up front next to Nick Pringle.

Dedan Thomas, UNLV: Well embedded moles in Sin City are cautiously optimistic about the Runnin Rebels and Thomas is a major reason why. A five-star prospect, this 6-1 point guard reclassified with hopes of leading UNLV back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013.

Sebastian Mack, UCLA: The 6-3 Mack has to give UCLA significant offensive mileage this season after the Bruins lost over 80 percent of their scoring from last year’s team that won the Pac-12 regular season title and advanced to the Sweet 16. This is key piece for Mick Cronin. Mack had 23 points in an exhibition game on Tuesday night.

Jan Vide, UCLA: A cerebral guard who probes defenses exceptionally well, Vide has an old school game that focuses on poise and precision. An elite scorer in the mid-range area, the 6-6 Vide averaged 17.9 points for Slovenia this summer during the FIBA U19 World Cup in Turkey. 

Ilane Fibleuil, UCLA: The french Jaylen Clark? You better believe it. The 6-6 Fibleuil has natural defensive instincts and should be able to make an instant impact on that end of the floor. He’ll replace some of the intangibles that Clark left behind when he left Westwood for the NBA following last season. 

Jamie Kaiser, Maryland: DeShawn Harris-Smith is the gem of the Terps’ recruiting class, but it would be foolish to forget about the 6-6 Kaiser. Blessed with great size and physicality, Kaiser is a big time shooter that can extend the defense. This is a potential starter to watch in College Park. 

Dailyn Swain, Xavier: With Jerome Hunter out for the 2023-24 season, Xavier needs to be creative with its power forward alignments. Swain could be part of that equation. The 6-6 wing could be a menace as a potential small ball power forward in the Big East while also displaying the ability to play on the perimeter and face the basket. Swain will be a really good four-year player for the Musketeers. 

Owen Freeman, Iowa: Highly placed spies in Iowa City believe that Freeman — who tallied multiple double-doubles on the Hawkeyes’ foreign tour this summer — could be one of the best freshmen in the Big Ten during the upcoming season. Buy stock now!

Jaylin Stewart, UConn: The Huskies’ staff is bullish on the potential of the 6-7 Stewart, who comes to Storrs from Seattle. Keep an eye on this guy’s length, athleticism, and bounce over the next few years. 

Jaland Lowe, Pitt: Lowe arrives in the 412 with the expectation that he’ll have a high usage rate as a freshman. That’s for good reason as the Panthers lost Jamarius Burton, Nelly Cummings, Greg Elliott, and Nike Sibande on the perimeter following last season’s trip to the NCAA Tournament. The 6-1 Lowe is in position to be an immediate factor at point guard for Pitt.

Wesley Yates, Washington: Mike Hopkins needs all hands on deck if he’s going to lead the Huskies back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. That includes Yates. The 6-4 Yates is a consensus top-50 prospect and should challenge for major minutes in his first season of college basketball. 

Eric Dailey, Oklahoma State: The 6-6 Dailey averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds for Team USA during the FIBA U19 World Cup in Turkey this past summer. He’ll be a significant contributor in Stillwater during the upcoming season.

Assane Diop, Colorado: The addition of TCU transfer Eddie Lampkin was a major coup for the Buffaloes staff during the offseason, but so was signing the 6-10 Diop. Expect this guy to be a factor up front in Colorado’s rotation.

Myles Colvin, Purdue: Matt Painter needed to add more bounce and athleticism on the perimeter. He’s going to get all of that with the 6-5 Colvin, who also displayed shot making ability during the Boilers’ foreign tour this summer. Keep on eye on this guy.

Tru Washington, New Mexico: Washington had multiple power conference suitors before ultimately opting to play for the Lobos, where he’ll be expected to have a role as a freshman under Richard Pitino. The 6-3 guard is now part of a terrific perimeter in Albuquerque that also features Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn Jr., and burgeoning sophomore Donovan Dent. 

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