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.
SG Keldon Johnson, Kentucky
Kentucky’s lack of outside shooting certainly hurt them last season, yet perhaps their biggest weakness may have been the fact they didn’t have a go-to guy offensively that could get them a bucket when they needed it. Kevin Knox was supposed to be that guy, and even though they have several quality players returning, none of them have the makeup of a No. 1 scoring option.
Enter Johnson, who I think will be Kentucky’s best player next season. He’s a solid 3-point shooter who has great size for the position (6 foot-6, 216 pounds) and knows how to get to and finish around the basket.
That scoring ability will be great for the Wildcats but it’s Johnson’s mindset that will make him the player head coach John Calipari needs him to be.
"“I like his leadership ability as much as anything else,” USA Basketball junior national team coach Don Showalter told reporters during McDonald’s All-American Game practices. “He gets everybody involved in the game. He plays hard. He continually makes the right play. When you look at a basketball play — he knows when to make it. That says a lot about him. He’s going to go from being a really good player to being a great one, I think.”"
Johnson is expected to have a big role right away for Kentucky and, given his skill set, I expect him to become a guy who sees his draft stock and national profile really improve throughout the college season.
CG Coby White, North Carolina
Nassir Little was the crown jewel of UNC’s recruiting class (and rightfully so, he’ll be one of the best players in the entire country next season) but Coby White may be the most important to Carolina’s success. Why? He’s tasked with replacing program legend Joel Berry, who led the Heels to back-to-back national championship games and the national title in 2017.
White is not a natural point guard – he’s a scorer who averaged 21.6 points per game on the Nike EYBL circuit last summer – but has a lot of experience being the primary ball-handler and will be forced to play next to Kenny Williams given North Carolina’s need at the point guard position.
"“It’s been so long since I’ve played off the ball. I don’t even know what it will feel like,” White told InsideCarolina.com’s Ross Martin. “I feel like it will be easier for me to play point guard because I have been playing it for so long. I feel like in college I am going to play the one and the two. I feel like I am going to play more of the two because of how good I can shoot the ball… I love playing with the ball in my hands. I can also create. I think I have pretty good vision on the court and playmaking skills.”"
White is clearly focused on his playmaking but, should he win the starting job over Seventh Woods, he won’t be relied on to necessarily create for everyone else. Berry never averaged over 3.8 assists per game and only averaged 3.2 during his senior season. And, in reality, UNC hasn’t had a true playmaker at the position since Kendall Marshall.
All White will have to do is prove that he can run Roy Williams’ offense effectively and take care of the ball. That happens and the Heels will be a contender again.
PG Brandon Williams, Arizona Wildcats
For a short time after the report came out about Arizona head coach Sean Miller allegedly paying to play for the Wildcats, every member of the school’s once-stellar recruiting class (including Williams) decommitted from the school. And, with zero returning starters, that was a real problem. However, Williams re-committed to the school in May and should give the Wildcats both a quality starting point guard and someone they can plan their future around.
"“He’s the one that everybody likes to talk about,” head coach Sean Miller said about Williams via the team’s official website. “We know Brandon better than everybody that we’ve recruited because we recruited him the longest. I feel great that he came back our way. He’s a fantastic kid, plays for great high school coach, great high school program — Crespi in L.A. — that has produced a lot of terrific players. Brandon wasn’t on the circuit before his senior year of high school and if he was, he’d be a McDonald’s All-American. I don’t think there are six guards in his class who were better than him. He’s today’s version of a guard, in that he can both score and distribute. He’s a great athlete — 6-foot-2, very explosive. And we’re thrilled to have him back. A winner as well. He’s won at every level.”"
Miller has tried to patch a lot of Arizona’s holes with grad transfers that will contribute right away, yet the play of Arizona’s three four-star freshmen will dictate this team’s ceiling – specifically that of Williams. Assuming he wins the starting point guard job, which he is favored to do, Williams will give the Wildcats a much-needed scoring punch from someone who will have the ball in his hands all the time.
Miller will have no choice but to give Williams the keys to the team. He’ll be the pacesetter.
SG Aaron Wiggins, Maryland
Wiggins was already going to play a major role for Maryland next season, and now with Kevin Huerter headed to the NBA, he will have an even larger role. Point guard Anthony Cowan will still be Maryland’s primary scorer and go-to guy but Wiggins will provide an excellent threat from beyond the arc. He has also demonstrated the ability to attack the basket and finish with regularity.
Wiggins needs to get stronger – something that has raised questions about just how effective of a slasher he’ll be right away – but his instincts, feel for the game, and shooting ability will make him a quality secondary scoring option. The 6-6 wing also has tremendous upside on the defensive end due to that athleticism and his lengthy wingspan. However, he needs to improve his footwork and foot speed under head coach Mark Turgeon to fulfill that potential.
In a down year for the Big Ten, Maryland is hoping to win the conference for the first time since joining, and that won’t happen unless Wiggins becomes a dynamic scoring threat on the perimeter.
SF Khavon Moore, Texas Tech
Both Keenan Evans and the aforementioned Zhaire Smith are gone for the Red Raiders, so who will fill those roles? Moore is a good candidate to fill a mixture of both.In fact, that ability to play right away is what drew him to Texas Tech.
“They just have a great coaching staff and a great environment,” Moore said about the Red Raiders after his commitment, via Rivals. “I am going to be able to make an impact on the team right away as a freshman.”
Moore is a very smooth ball-handler and gifted passer for someone who is 6-foot-8, so expect him to play some point forward for Chris Beard’s squad. He’s also very long and super athletic, making him a nightmare for opponents in the open court.
If he can add some weight and strength before the start of the season, Moore also has a lot of upside as a small ball four, which is a role he may be limited to sometimes due to his lackluster shooting record.
Next: Updated way-too-early Bracketology
Texas Tech knew they’d take a step back this year without Evans and many expect that step to be even greater as they try to replace Smith, but if Moore can make an immediate impact, the Red Raiders may find their way into another NCAA Tournament.