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

3. Kansas Jayhawks

The national champions not only were able to get starting forward Jalen Wilson back from the NBA Draft process, but they were also to land a top-5 incoming recruiting class, all in the frontcourt. The biggest name is the Gatorade High School National Player of the Year, Gradey Dick, a sensational local prospect that could easily start on the wings next season.

Dick is a 6’7 forward who may be the best pure shooter that is not a guard. He’s also a good athlete and is viewed as a Christian Braun that is more consistent from deep. If that works out, Kansas will once again be a title contender with this recruit.

Another “wing” in the class is MJ Rice, a 6’5 five-star athlete that is capable of playing at the two-spot if he and Dick are as good as advertised. He can create his own offense with ease and is an underrated passer from the perimeter as well.

Ernest Udeh Jr. is a top-30 caliber center prospect who isn’t the offensive threat that David McCormack was in the past few years for the program but will be an upgrade on the defensive end and on the boards. He’s not viewed as a “one and done” draft pick so if his scoring ability improves, Udeh could be a double-double threat on a nightly basis.

Look out for Zuby Ejiofor, a 6’9 and 220-pound big man that is capable of playing both power forward and center. He’s a solid post-player on offense and a good rebounder and while he may not have as high a ceiling as Udeh, Ejiofor’s floor may be higher at the moment, making him a candidate for minutes early on since his game is ready.