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Paul Biancardi, Basketball Recruiting
Some of the greatest unknowns at the start of every college basketball season are freshmen.
But this his year’s group is better than people think.
The McDonald’s All-Americans, who approached the practices and game with effort and focus, are a great sign of things to come for this class of freshmen. While the class may initially lack many immediate NBA prospects or surefire one-and-dones, it will bring an abundance of star power to the college game when all is said and done. The group also has the potential for real surprises and sleepers that will turn heads this season.
Before the season begins in early November, let’s take a look at the top freshman superlatives.
Top passer
Elliot Cadeau, PG, North Carolina
Before reclassifying to the class of 2023, Cadeau averaged 9.3 assists per game during the 2023 EYBL campaign and 9.7 assists per game at GEICO Nationals. He combined to score or assist on 36.2 points per game to lead the EYBL — one of the better marks in league history. Cadeau is a ball mover and high-assist point guard, which will help he Tar Heels in transition. They were 170th in fast break points last year, averaging just 9.27 per game, and 264th in assists per game. Cadeau will change the offensive production in Chapel Hill.
Top playmaker
Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Collier is a big, strong guard with a physical college-ready frame. He is lethal in transition throwing the advanced pass or taking it coast-to-coast with force. Defenders are at his mercy in the paint, where he finishes with strength, touch and body balance. He’s adept at making split-second decisions once he draws a crowd of defenders, using his gifted passing vision to make the right play. He is one of only four players to average over 22 points and seven assists per 40 minutes in EYBL history, according to Synergy Sports. Collier is a natural playmaker and his ability to navigate ball screens is superb.
Best three-level scorer
Ja’Kobe Walter, SG, Baylor
Walter steps in to replace Keyonte George, who went No. 16 overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. Walter is a true three-level scorer that creates fouls with his aggressive scoring style and, once he gets comfortable and productive in Baylor’s system, watch his minutes soar.
Sleeper
Trey Green, PG, Xavier
Green has no boundaries when it comes to winning. He won GEICO Nationals and was named MVP of the 2022 Peach Jam. Green is a tough, deep shooter that can play with and without the ball and he thrives in transition and off ball screens, including those off the ball as well. He negotiates defenders and can easily spot up and drain it from behind the arc as well. Sean Miller will trust him from Day 1, which makes him an ideal candidate for Big East Rookie of the Year.
Best shot blocker
Joseph Tugler, C, Houston
Tugler has an enormous 7-foot-6 wingspan and huge hands so it’s no surprise he led the EYBL in 2022 with 4.4 blocked shots per 40 minutes. Tugler plays with intensity and takes pride in his rim protection and rebounding. He’s a presence inside and constantly alters or blocks shots from both the help side and in chase-down scenarios. The NBA will have its eyes on Tugler.
Most versatile
Justin Edwards, SF, Kentucky
Edwards averaged 16.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per game as a senior at Imhotep Charter, according to Synergy Sports. His well-rounded skill set was on display for Kentucky at the Global Jam, averaging 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He owns a solid perimeter game at 6-foot-7 and plays with nice pace. He’ll be a threat in transition and is a capable catch-and-shoot 3-point option in Lexington. Edwards also gives the Wildcats defensive versatility to switch on either bigger or smaller opponents.
Best downhill driver
DJ Wagner, PG, Kentucky
He was born with a basketball in his hands as the son of Dejaun Wagner and grandson of Milt Wagner. It’s hard to stop Wagner once he gets momentum and hits his stride with the ball. He has remained consistent despite being highly touted throughout his high school career and the McDonald’s All-American is not afraid to take over a game. He plays to win, not for his numbers and has a mixture of straight-line speed, wiggle and determination to attack.
Best combination guard
Jackson averaged 17.5 points and 4.5 assists per game while shooting 52% inside the arc, 32% from beyond the arc, and 80% at the foul line as a senior at South Kent Prep high school. Kansas has a greater need for Jackson’s downhill attacking style after the unexpected departure of Arterio Morris. Jackson will be inserted into the starting lineup and play next to Dajuan Harris Jr., who led the Big 12 in assist-to-turnover ratio over the last two years.
Most impactful player
Stephon Castle, PG, UConn
UConn needs Castle to play like a veteran after the departure of Andre Jackson and others and he has the game to do it. Castle got the free throw line 69 times on the Under Armour circuit in 2022, ranking second among all players. He’s a big guard that expertly beats his defender and the help-side defense off the dribble. Defenders relent once he arrives in the paint because of his 6-foot-6 college-ready frame. Castle puts opponents in defensive rotation and he should have a high usage rate, which makes him one of the favorites for Big East Rookie of the Year and a lottery pick.
Biggest Surprise
Reed Sheppard, SG, Kentucky
Sheppard is a shot-maker and a decision-maker who is quick to move the ball or make the assist. His bounce and speed are better than advertised. Don’t be surprised if he plays himself into the NBA draft ahead of schedule despite playing alongside ESPN’s No. 1 ranked recruiting class in 2023.
Best finisher
Omaha Biliew, PF, Iowa State
Biliew is physically imposing for a freshman and is not afraid to play with force. He has broad shoulders, long arms and secure hands to catch passes and score through contact. He can step outside and make 3-pointers as well as rebound and will be an impact freshman in the Big 12.
Best freshman outside the ESPN 100 top 50
Collin Murray-Boyles, PF, South Carolina
Murray-Boyles was a major surprise as a senior at Gray Collegiate. He’s a big-bodied post and a face-up shooter. Murray-Boyles averaged 15 points per game, shot an outstanding 69% overall and led the NIBC in rebounding with 8.8 rebounds per game. Even his 3-point shot (6-for-13) evolved in a small sample size.
Best shooter
Caleb Foster, PG, Duke
At 6-foot-5, Foster has a deep 3-point shot along with a dependable mid-range jumper. He makes calculated decisions and rarely gets sped up by defenses. Foster was one of the best players on the Nike Peach Jam circuit in 2022, averaging 25.2 points and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from the 3-point line. Going even deeper, he shot 36% on 3-pointers and 82% from the line over the last two summers in the EYBL, according to Synergy Sports. Foster utilizes his shot fake and jab step to create an extra second of time and cleaner looks. He demonstrates poise, smarts and touch with the ball in his hands as a looming NBA prospect.
Hardest playing freshman
Fall is definitely not a “when he feels like it” guy. He gives maximum effort on every play, displaying constant energy and focus. His consistent work habits and ability to defend, rebound and finish at the rim will help Arkansas in the SEC. From Senegal, Fall may be new to the game but he runs hard and plays intensely.
Best winner
Jared McCain, SG, Duke
McCain puts his team in position to win regardless of the platform. He helped lead Centennial to its second consecutive California Open Division state title in the 2021-22 season. He was named MVP of the Open Division in 2022.
“From the moment he walked onto campus he was committed to two things: hard work and winning,” Centennial head coach Josh Giles said. “He’s the greatest competitor I’ve ever coached. His desire to win is the same in practice as it is in games.”
To top it off, McCain was part of USA Basketball’s gold medal-winning U18 National Team in 2022 at the FIBA Americas Championship.
Highest upside
Cody Williams, SF, Colorado
Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, is Colorado’s highest-rated recruit in the ESPN ranking era. He brings a profile the NBA desires as a 6-foot-8 guard that scores, distributes and drives when crowded. He’s an exciting finisher in transition because of his long, fluid strides, burst and bounce. Williams is always prepared to shoot on the catch because of his shot preparation and footwork and he showed flashes of giftedness at Perry High School and on the showcase circuit. He’s a first-round pick right now, but could need more time to maximize his game. He’ll do so under the tutelage of Tad Boyle.
Most intriguing
Mara oozes talent, skills and mobility while standing at 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-7 wingspan. Mara played and was productive in the Spanish ABC League, which isn’t always kind to young players. So how quickly will he adjust to the college game? Mara is a ready-made offensive piece for Mick Cronin and, as he adjusts to the defense and physicality of the NCAA game, Mara will have breakthrough moments.
Best athlete
Coen Carr, SF, Michigan State
Carr already has NBA-worthy vertical leaping ability along with his hang time and body control, which make him a skilled lob catcher and finisher. The lefthander attacks the rim with force and looks to dunk on defenders but he is much more than just an athlete — Carr has improved his outside shot and made over 50% of his 3-pointers in a small sample size.
Best rebounder
Buchanan is a big, strong post who understands how to use his physicality to carve out space and rebound. He collects rebounds on the defensive end, makes extra-effort plays and blocks out opponents. Offensively, he has a knack and relentlessness to create extra possessions. Along with his commitment to the glass, Buchanan can score with angles, a jump hook and a short jumper.
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