NCAA Basketball: Top 25 impact freshmen classes for 2022-23 season

Montverde Academy's Dariq Whitehead (0) reacts after forcing a turnover during the second half of the GEICO Nationals quarterfinal between AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) and Montverde Academy (Fla.), Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.Montverde Academy defeated AZ Compass Prep 72-63.GEICO Nationals 2022: AZ Compass Prep (Ariz.) vs. Montverde Academy (Fla.), March 31, 2022 /

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NCAA Basketball Jabari Smith Auburn Tigers (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /

16. Auburn Tigers

The star of the Tigers’ incoming class is Yohan Traore, a five-star frontcourt prospect that can play both power forward and center at the NCAA Basketball level. At 6’10 and 230 pounds, Traore has a nice combination of size and athleticism, as well as an offensive skillset that’ll make him a focal point of the offense next season. Not to the level of Jabari Smith but 12-15 ppg and 7-8 rpg isn’t a bad projection either.

With Morehead State transfer and shot-blocking leader Johni Broome joining Auburn, Traore will be playing mostly at the four. How these two bigs play next to one another could either make them a top-10 team once again or blow up in his face. And the freshman forward will have to show that he can spread the floor on a team that doesn’t have a ton of three-point shooting on paper.

Another potential starter for the Tigers is Chance Westry, a 6’6 wing and top-40 prospect. He’s a solid shooter and athlete and will compete with Allen Flanigan, who was hurt most of last season and struggled as a result. Westry will be part of the rotation but if he can be a double-digit scorer can make the overall starting lineup one of the best in NCAA Basketball.

And while the top three guards are back for Auburn (KD Johnson, Wendell Green, Zep Jasper), three-star point guard Tre Donaldson is the potential future for them. All three of those returning players will be seniors and can be gone soon so if the newcomer guard can wait, could be a long-term player to watch for the program.

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