NCAA Basketball: Top 25 impact true freshmen entering 2023-24 season
2. Isaiah Collier – USC Trojans
Four-star guard Bronny James is the biggest name joining the Trojans this year but Collier is the highest-ranked recruit in program history, ranked No. 1 on several services. He’s the definition of a “true point guard”, being a pass-first playmaker that makes his teammates better. The 6’3 ball-handler is also an underrated scorer, capable of going for 20+ points if opposing defenses aren’t careful.
With returning leading scorer Boogie Ellis back in the backcourt, all of the pressure won’t be on Collier to dominate the game each time. However, for USC to be a threat to make and advance in the NCAA Tournament, they’ll need Collier to look like the No. 1 incoming freshman in the NCAA Tournament.
1. DJ Wagner – Kentucky Wildcats
There was a time when Wagner was competing with Collier for the No. 1 overall spot in the 2023 recruiting class and he’s a consensus top-5 overall prospect as well. The 6’3 combo guard is a quality scorer and is a good defender as well. He started on the team’s recent foreign tour and should be expected to be the lead guard this season.
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What makes Wagner the top impact freshman to watch is that while Kentucky will once again have one of the most talented NCAA Basketball rosters, it’s also going to be one of the youngest. How consistently a high-level Wagner plays will ultimately determine how far the SEC program will advance in March.