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 Brandon Martin South Carolina Gamecocks (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

21. South Carolina Gamecocks

A month ago, the Gamecocks wouldn’t have been anywhere near this kind of list. But after getting prospect GG Jackson to not only de-commit from the North Carolina Tar Heels but also reclassify from the 2023 class to play this upcoming season, making them instantly a team to watch for next season.

Jackson is a top-3 overall prospect and 6’9 true power forward that can do just about it all. He’s an elite scorer and can shoot from deep while having the athleticism to take opposing players off the bounce and score. He instantly becomes the top offensive option for South Carolina and is an All-SEC candidate considering the kind of stats he puts up.

His arrival will hurt what Daniel Hankins-Sanford can do as a freshman since they play the same position but Jackson projects to be an easy “one and done” candidate. Zachary Davis is the other three-star freshman and is a shooting guard that can play alongside incoming transfers Meechie Johnson and Ebrima Dibba in the backcourt. He’s a darkhorse starting candidate and figures to be part of new coach Lamont Paris’ first core with the Gamecocks. And unlike Jackson, Davis could be a key rotation player for the next 3-4 years.

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