It’s never too early to start looking ahead!
Check below for our list of 25 impact freshmen for the 2023-24 college basketball season.
In no particular order:
Isaiah Collier, USC: An elite passer with tremendous size for a point guard at 6-5, Collier has the requisites to be one of the best players in college basketball as a freshman. His choice to attend USC should give the Trojans one of the sport’s top backcourts with he and veteran guard Boogie Ellis.
DJ Wagner, Kentucky: Scoring is in this kid’s genes and that will immediately translate to Rupp Arena. The son of Dajuan Wagner and grandson of Milt Wagner, DJ Wagner is cut from the same cloth as other dynamic lead guards that have excelled for John Calipari.
Robert Dillingham, Kentucky: Dillingham doesn’t arrive in Lexington with as much sizzle as Wagner, but he’s still one of the best guards in the 2023 class. Blessed with tremendous burst, Dillingham can either run a team or play off the ball. He’ll be a key part of the Wildcats’ perimeter in 2023-24.
Aaron Bradshaw, Kentucky: This 7-footer is currently nursing a foot injury, but when he returns he’ll be a major weapon. A three-point threat on offense and a rim protector on defense, Bradshaw epitomizes what the modern day big man looks like on most levels of basketball.
Reed Sheppard, Kentucky: The son of former Kentucky star and 1998 NCAA Tournament MOP Jeff Sheppard, Reed Sheppard led the Wildcats in assists (5.75) during the GLOBL JAM this past summer in Canada. There may be more pronounced members of Kentucky’s recruiting class, but don’t sleep on this kid. Whatever “it” is, the 6-3 Sheppard possesses.
Justin Edwards, Kentucky: The most versatile player in the 2023 class, Edwards has a chance to be an All-American as a freshman. Smooth and skilled at 6-7, Edwards never gets rattled and can attack defenses from multiple spots on the floor. He’ll instantly become a fan favorite at Rupp Arena.
Berke Buyuktuncel, UCLA: How will Mick Cronin replace Jaime Jaquez at power forward? This guy. Buyuktuncel is a high IQ player that has a tremendous feel for the game. The 6-9 lefty averaged 11.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists this past summer at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Turkey. Think a college version of Toni Kukoc.
Aday Mara, UCLA: A generational talent, the 7-3 Mara is a mountain operating among men. An elite passer and terrific all-around offensive talent, Mara has all the requisites to be an impactful force for the Bruins during the upcoming season.
Cody Williams, Colorado: The highest rated recruit in the modern Colorado era, Williams is a major reason why many people believe that the Buffaloes are destined for a special final season in the Pac-12. A consensus five-star prospect, Williams gives Tad Boyle another potential all-conference player to mold alongside KJ Simpson and Tristan da Silva.
Mackenzie Mgbako, Indiana: With Jalen Hood-Schifino and Trayce Jackson-Davis no longer a part of the Hoosiers’ program, Indiana needs a new go-to guy; it could very well be Mgbako. After initially committing to Duke, the 6-8 forward instead opted to head to Bloomington where he’ll make an immediate impact thanks to his ability to stretch the defense.
Elliot Cadeau, North Carolina: Cadeau’s decision to reclassify into the 2023 class completely changed the Tar Heels’ chemical makeup. A pass-first point guard, he’ll form a formidable perimeter combination alongside R.J. Davis.
Simeon Wilcher, St. John’s: After initially committing to North Carolina, the 6-4 Wilcher will now play for Rick Pitino in Queens. He should be a major part of the Red Storm’s reclamation project. Expect Wilcher to be one of the top freshmen in the Big East during the upcoming season.
Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor: There’s major questions surrounding the Bears’ backcourt entering this season. Baylor fans are hoping that Walker can be a major part of the answer. With minutes readily available on the perimeter, expect Scott Drew to feed the 6-5 Walter until he burps. This will be a high usage situation in Waco.
Stephon Castle, UConn: Castle isn’t Andre Jackson, but he does possess some of the same passing qualities that UConn’s do-everything point forward displayed during last season’s national title run. If the Huskies are going to return to the Final Four in 2024, the 6-6 Castle will be a major reason why.
Solomon Ball, UConn: Dan Hurley needs offensive mileage out of the 6-3 Ball if UConn is again going to be one of the top teams in college basketball. A skilled lefty, Ball is cut from the same cloth as former southpaws like Delonte West and Cuttino Mobley.
Omaha Biliew, Iowa State: A physical freak, the 6-8, 210 pound Biliew would be a starter on any “All-Airport” team. A violent finisher who also boasts great versatility, this guy has a chance to be the one of the best freshmen in the Big 12 in 2023-24.
Jared McCain, Duke: Tyrese Proctor and Jeremy Roach may be cemented in the Blue Devils’ backcourt, but McCain will also have a major impact. Skilled and efficient, the 6-2 freshman will be a key piece in Durham.
Caleb Foster, Duke: A big time shot maker, Foster has all sorts of things in his offensive bag. Armed with good size and length at 6-5, this California native can pulverize opponents in a plethora of ways all while finding the bottom of the basket with ease. Foster is a gamer.
Xavier Booker, Michigan State: An Indianapolis native, the 6-10 Booker is the highest rated prospect in the Spartans’ highly touted recruiting class. His progression on the interior next season will be a major key as to whether or not Michigan State can advance to its ninth Final Four under Tom Izzo.
Coen Carr, Michigan State: A freak athlete, Carr is going to give the Spartans the type of athleticism that they haven’t had in a very long time. Capable of defending all five positions on the floor, the 6-7 Carr is tailor made for Tom Izzo and East Lansing.
DeShawn Harris-Smith, Maryland: Don’t be shocked if the 6-5 Harris-Smith is the best freshman in the Big Ten this season — seriously. Broad shouldered and sturdy, this first-year guard is built more like a junior than a freshman. A strong penetrator and capable shooter, Harris-Smith will play multiple spots for the Terps during the upcoming year.
Trey Green, Xavier: The MVP of the 2022 Peach Jam, Green knows what he’s good at and is good at what he knows. An elite shooter, the 5-10 Green is a throwback to the type of player that Sean Miller coached at Xavier during his first tenure with the Musketeers from 2004-09. He’ll be one of the best freshmen in the Big East in 2023-24.
Elmarko Jackson, Kansas: Bill Self loves this 6-3 point guard, who excels at penetrating and getting downhill. Expect Kansas to regularly use Jackson and Dajuan Harris together in a dual point guard lineup during the 2023-24 season.
Aden Holloway, Auburn: The Tigers have had tremendous success with undersized point guards over the past decade and Holloway is next in line. The 6-foot floor general is already an elite shooter and has an uncanny ability to raise the game of everyone that he’s playing with. Holloway will make an instant impact at Auburn.
Garwey Dual, Providence: Kim English’s ability to keep Dual with the Friars after he initially committed to play for Ed Cooley was beyond massive. A certified bucket getter, the 6-5 Dual can score from all over the floor and will be a key piece as Providence aims to return to the NCAA Tournament in 2024.
Leftovers
- Purdue, Alabama working to finalize home-and-home series
- Weekend Brunch: How Mick Cronin quickly made UCLA into arguably college basketball’s most intriguing team
- UCLA, Gonzaga finalizing two-year series starting next season at Intuit Dome, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers
- Texas A&M, UCF to begin home-and-home series on November 4th
- Alabama, Illinois working to finalize an agreement to play in Birmingham in December, series will feature return game in Chicago in 2025