NCAA Basketball: Top 25 most impactful freshmen for 2019-20 season

8) Akok Akok, PF/SF, UConn

Akok has actually already spent a semester with the UConn program – he joined after graduating in the fall semester – but he won’t take the court for the Huskies until the fall. And everything that has come out of Storrs suggest that the versatile 6-10 forward is going to be a huge success once he sees the court.

Head coach Danny Hurley has praised Akok’s versatility and is excited about the role he’ll have with the team. As he puts it, Akok can make threes on offense and come down and serve as a legitimate rim protector on the other end.

Possessing both of those skills is rare, but that’s what Akok is. He needs to get stronger but his size, skill, and athleticism allow him to affect the game on every level.

He can make three-pointers, drive past bigger, slower defenders, or score over smaller ones. Defensively, he can block shots or switch and effective defend guards on the perimeter.

Akok will be more prepared than most freshmen because of the head start he received by joining the program halfway through last season. And, given his unique skill set, UConn will need him to be a star sooner rather than later if they’re going to have the breakout season everyone expects.