Top Immediate Impact Freshman

Every year, there are numerous amounts of freshman who takes over the college spotlight. If you do not recognize these names, get accosted to these names, as these freshman’s are most likely to produce from day one. Expect to hear a lot more about these freshman’s throughout the 2018-2019 college basketball season. Here are some of the top freshman’s who will have an immediate impact for their respected programs.

Zion Williamson, Forward, Duke: Zion Williamson physical tools is something that is rarely seen. At 6’7 – 285 pounds, he is agile and a matchup nightmare. He will be a matchup nightmare for anyone at the college level. Williamson along with his teammates (R.J. Barrett & Cam Reddish) will be competing for ACC & National Freshman of the Year along with ACC & National Player of the Year. If Williamson adds a consistent jump shot then the sky’s the limit for him.

R.J. Barrett, SG/SF, Duke: R.J. is the difference maker on whether Duke will compete for the national title or not. Barrett versatility is what sets him apart and is the reason why I currently have him as the # 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Barrett ability to make those around him better is an underrated part of his game. Barrett displayed that ability along with being the go to player during Duke’s foreign trip to Canada in August. If Duke’s freshman phenoms can develop their chemistry with each other, expect them to be one of the national title favorites.

Romeo Langford, SG, Indiana: Romeo Langford was the biggest recruiting get for Indiana in quite some time. Langford will be the team’s leading scorer and he could be the sole reason why Indiana are in the tournament this upcoming season. Langford gives Indiana the star power that they haven’t had since Victor Oladipo. Langford will be the favorite to win freshman of the year in the Big Ten and expect him to be on the All-Big Ten team.

Jahvon Quinerly, PG, Villanova: With the departure of Jalen Brunson, Quinerly will be given the keys to the offense. That’s major shoes to fill but with the talent of Quinerly at point guard, Villanova won’t have that much of a drop-off at the point guard spot. Quinerly is an electric player with nice handles and he will bring a different type of excitement at the point guard spot for Villanova fans. Jay Wright has history with point guards (Kyle Lowry, Ryan Archidiacono, Jalen Brunson) so expect Quinerly to improve as the season goes on with the coaching of Jay Wright. Expectations for Quinerly is high and he will be the favorite to be Big East Freshman of the Year with a shot of All-Big East honors.

Bol Bol, Center, Oregon: Bol Bol is a unique prospect, at 7’3 with a 7’8 wingspan. Bol Bol is an immediate impact defensively. Bol Bol has had his fair share of question marks (his lanky frame & his low release point on his jumper) but if Bol Bol is able to utilize his skills correctly and showcase his rim protecting ability & soft touch, then expect Oregon to be back in the tournament. If Bol Bol puts together a solid season, expect him to be a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Ayo Dosunmu, Guard, Illinois: The moment Ayo decided to stay home and play for his home state was massive for Illinois. Ayo will be starting from Day 1 to form a formattable backcourt with Trent Frazier. Ayo has nice size which allows him to play either on or off the ball. Ayo ability to impact the game from all phases (his scoring, passing, and his defense) will be on display for this upcoming season. Ayo will be competing with Romeo Langford for Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Darius Garland, Point Guard, Vanderbilt: The top point guard according to ESPN decided to stay home and play for his hometown. This was a massive get for Vanderbilt. Garland has a shot at being the most impactful freshman in not only in the SEC but also in the country. Garland will have the keys to the offense from Day 1. He has a nice feel for the game and his ability to control the game may be the sole reason why Vanderbilt makes the tournament.

Nassir Little, Forward, North Carolina: Ever since the McDonald’s All-American game, Little has been trending upwards for the 2019 NBA Draft. Little is projected a top five pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Look for Little to be the perfect complement to Luke Maye. Little has a bulldog mentality and with North Carolina history with bigs, expect Little to continue to improve as the season goes on. Little will challenge the Duke’s phenoms for Freshman Player of the Year.

Keldon Johnson, SF, Kentucky: The five-star freshman was impressive during the team’s foreign trip to the Bahamas in August. Johnson physical tools makes him the best NBA prospect on this year’s Kentucky team. Johnson alpha dog mentality and his ability to finish (especially out on fast-break) is impressive. Johnson is versatile as he can guard and play multiple positions. If Johnson display the skills he showcased like he did in the Bahamas this upcoming season, expect him to be a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Quentin Grimes, Guard, Kansas: Quentin Grimes had the opportunity to play for Bill Self with the USA U18 Team over the summer in Canada. Therefore, Bill Self should have a good feel on how to use Grimes for this upcoming season. Grimes doesn’t need to be the go to scorer right away as this Kansas this has balanced scoring and has a deep roster. Grimes is a very talented scorer and his ability to handle the ball and his passing skills is an underrated part of his game. Expect Grimes to have his moments as expectations for him and this Kansas team are high.

Cam Reddish, SG/SF, Duke: RJ Barrett & Zion Williamson will receive get most of the attention but Reddish is arguably the most talented player in this freshman class. There are questions about his motor but there isn’t any question about his talent. Reddish can score at will and can create his own shot whatever he wants. An underrated part of his game is his playmaking ability and can run the point at times. Reddish versatility sets him apart from freshman class as he can play him 1-4. Reddish along with the other Duke’s phenoms will come in with high expectations. If Reddish shows a consistent motor and puts it all together, then expect him to be a top 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Charles Bassley, Center, Western Kentucky: Charles Bassley is the top prospect at the mid-major level. This is a massive get for Rick Stansbury. The expectations for Bassley is high, as he will be the go to player from Day 1. If Western Kentucky makes the tournament, Bassley will be a big reason why. Look for Bassley to be Conference USA Freshman Player of the Year and a shot at being Conference Player of the Year.

Naz Reid, Forward, LSU: LSU adds in a top 5 recruiting and Naz Reid is a big reason why. Tremont Waters gets much needed help as Reid will take a lot of pressure off of Waters. Look for Waters and Reid to form a 1-2 punch, with Reid in the paint and Waters on the perimeter. The SEC is as tough as it has ever been but look for LSU to make the tournament with the talent coming in and with the talent is back.

Kevin Porter Jr., SG/SF, USC: Kevin Porter Jr has all the physical tools to not only be a one and done but a conscious top 20 pick. As USC loses 3 of their top 4 scorers, look for Porter Jr to provide instant scoring. Expect Porter Jr name to become more known in both the PAC 12 & throughout the country.

Coby White, Guard, North Carolina: With the departure of Joel Berry, there are questions about the point guard spot. Coby White certainly has the chance to make immediate impact especially with his solid play during their foreign trip to the Bahamas back in August. White will be battling for the starting positions early in the season but look for White to be starting as the season goes on. White will be pivotal for what North Carolina looks to accomplish this season.

5 Sleeper Picks

Every year, there are numerous amounts of freshman who goes under the radar. The players listed in the “sleeper” category may not get the recognition as some of their peers but may make as much of an impact as their peers. Here are some sleeper picks of freshman’s who I believe will have an immediate impact for their respected programs.

Tre Jones, Point Guard, Duke: Tre Jones is kind of the forgotten man for this Duke’s freshman class. Jones is arguably the most important player for this Duke team, as he will be the one to run the show and be in charge of feeding the other phenoms on this Duke team. Jones is a pass-first point guard and floor general who can score it at all three levels. The importance of Jones development will be key as whether or not Duke will reach their full potential.

Tyler Herro, SG, Kentucky: Tyler Herro stood out during their foreign trip to the Bahamas back in August. Herro showed that he’s more than just a shooter. Herro will be pivotal for Kentucky as he provides much needed outside shooting. If Herro can play the same way he did during the Bahamas then he will provide much needed floor spacing for the other weapons for Kentucky.

David Duke, Guard, Providence: David Duke opened a lot of eyes with his play during their foreign trip in Italy back in August. Duke will continue to open eyes in the Big East this season. With Providence losing some key players, look for Duke along with Malik Ashton-Langford to fill in the gap.

Talen Horton-Tucker, Forward, Iowa State: Talen Horton-Tucker doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Horton-Tucker is one of the most versatile players in the freshman class. Horton-Tucker is Charles Barley like as he is a matchup problem. He may not make a huge impact early in the season but look for Horton-Tucker to make more of an impact as the season goes on. Don’t be surprised if Horton-Tucker ends up starting later in the season.

Jordan Brown, Center, Nevada: Last year, Nevada was missing a true post player. Now Nevada has that in Jordan Brown. The fact that Nevada has their big three coming back in Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, and Jordan Caroline. Look for Brown to own the paint in the Mountain West Conference and to provide more balance in their offense with scoring inside. With their core pieces back and with the addition of Brown, don’t be surprised if Nevada makes a Final Four run.