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NCAA Basketball: 5 under-the-radar freshmen to watch in 2018-19

By Brian Rauf

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: Keldon Johnson #3 of Oak Hill Academy goes for a layup in a game against University School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: Keldon Johnson #3 of Oak Hill Academy goes for a layup in a game against University School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: Keldon Johnson #3 of Oak Hill Academy goes for a layup. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: Keldon Johnson #3 of Oak Hill Academy goes for a layup. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Each NCAA basketball season features some outstanding freshmen. As we approach 2018-19, who are some first-year players flying under the radar?

While we’re approaching the end of the one-and-done era in NCAA basketball, freshmen are still some of the biggest influencers and best players in the entire country. The 2018 incoming freshmen class has several quality players at the top and, while it’s not viewed to be as deep as either of the last two classes, there are some diamonds in the rough that are expected to be major factors right off the bat.

Trae Young was not among the elite top-tier prospects that arrived on college campuses last fall yet made history by becoming the first player in college basketball history to lead the country in both points and assists in a single season. The same thing can be said about Zhaire Smith, who had a fantastic freshman season for Texas Tech despite being ranked as the No. 194 overall prospect in the 2017 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Now, both of those players are projected to be potential lottery picks in the 2018 NBA Draft. Which players could follow suit and have massive breakout campaigns in their first year? Here are five under-the-radar freshmen that could have a major impact this coming season.

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