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

23. UMass Minutemen

In the 14 months since Coach Frank Martin has been on the job, he’s proven that he can recruit at UMass. Last year, he brought in a pair of quality freshmen in RJ Ruis and Tafara Gapare. Unfortunately, both of them left the team this offseason, as part of a mass portal exodus.

Yet the Minutemen have slowly added another group of good newcomers, seven freshmen in total. The biggest name is Jaylen Curry, a four-star point guard prospect. His late recruitment worked to the benefit of the A-10 program and with Noah Fernandes now off to Rutgers, there’s a strong chance that Curry ends up starting on the roster.

There are several wings and shooters in the group as well, including Jayden Ndjigue and Robert Davis. Look for them to get minutes alongside returning guard, Keon Thompson. And after losing Wildens Leveque, look for Mathok Majok to have a big impact inside next to transfer Josh Cohen since he’s arguably the lone true center on the roster.

UMass isn’t projected to do a ton in the A-10 next season but if these newcomers can have a sizeable impact, there’s a chance that they can surprise some folks. And if Coach Martin can keep this group together for the long-term, look for the rebuilding process not to take a long time.