NCAA Basketball: Top 25 impact freshmen classes for 2023-24 season

25. Houston Cougars

Coach Kelvin Sampson had a five-star prospect to work with in Jarace Walker, who was just as good as advertised. He was a double-digit scorer and impact player on both ends of the court and was eventually a top-10 NBA Draft pick. The team doesn’t have that highly-ranked prospect but does have a good trio of newcomers that should be around for a while.

Kordelius Jefferson is a three-star combo guard that’ll look to be in the rotation and possibly back up Jamal Shead in the backcourt. Otherwise, Houston will have Baylor transfer LJ Cryer be the second ball-handling option.

The two key pieces to watch are Joseph Tugler and Jacob McFarland, both of whom are four-star prospects. Tugler is the hometown guy, listed at 6’7 and 205 pounds. He may be a bit undersized but that hasn’t stopped similar players in the past from succeeding at Houston. And McFarland is more of a true center at 6’10 and 210 pounds and is a good interior defender.

Both big men should find a way to get into the rotation behind the likes of J’Wan Roberts and Ja’View Francis in the frontcourt. Those two have just one year left of eligibility so it won’t be a surprise if Tugler and McFarland become the new tandem for the Cougars.