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

5. Kentucky Wildcats

For this piece, I’m going to operate under the assumption that Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso, a five-star center prospect that was recently reclassified to play next season, will be picked Kentucky when he decides next week. They’ve been the heavy favorites for the past month and he’ll be an impact player on the 2023-24 roster but not next season.

Kingsley Onyenso would at most get 5-6 mpg off the bench behind National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe and would be battling Daimion Collins for playing time anyway. But a frontcourt player who will be getting minutes from this class is Chris Livingston, a 6’6 forward that is capable of playing both the 3 and 4-spots on the court. He’s an elite athlete and scorer with an improving shooting stroke. With more consistency out there the freshman could be nearly unstoppable on offense.

Another five-star freshman is Cason Wallace, a top-10 overall prospect and combo guard. With Sahvir Wheeler coming back, Wallace will have to play mostly off-the-ball next season. He’s certainly capable with his 6’4 frame and plays quality defense as well. Wallace can create for his own and others and has all the tools and measurable to make himself a future 1st round NBA Draft pick.

The last incoming freshman is Adou Thiero, a three-star prospect shooting guard who has great size and overall potential long-term once his game becomes more polished. He’ll be a redshirt candidate this upcoming season but could be a starter down the road.