College basketball has delivered no shortage of standout freshman performances this season, but true head-to-head clashes between the best have been few and far between. That changes Saturday in Chapel Hill, when Duke visits North Carolina and Cameron Boozer squares off with Caleb Wilson in a rivalry setting that raises everything.
The matchup serves as a look at part of a freshman class loaded with star power, depth, and variety, from high-usage guards to dominant frontcourt anchors. As the season moves toward its most important stretch, these players are no longer just emerging talents. They are shaping outcomes, defining teams, and, in moments like this weekend, giving the sport its most compelling storylines.
Here is a look at the top 10 freshman so far in college basketball:
10. Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn
Mullins hasn’t had the single eruption game yet, but his trajectory matters. His shooting has become a constant stressor for defenses, especially in transition, and his confidence continues to grow within a veteran-heavy lineup. UConn does not need him to be the star every night, but the flashes suggest a much bigger role is coming as March approaches.
9. Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
Ament’s season has quietly flipped in the past few weeks. Early struggles in big moments have been replaced by poise and shot-making, particularly from deep. Tennessee’s recent surge coincides directly with his rise, and his length and scoring versatility are starting to feel like a postseason weapon rather than a work in progress.
8. Brayden Burries, G, Arizona
Arizona’s balance caps eye-popping numbers, but Burries’ impact shows up when games tighten. He attacks downhill, gets to the free throw line, and brings a physical edge that fits perfectly on a national title contender. His best performances have come against quality opponents, which matters when projecting long-term value.
7. Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
Flemings’ 42-point explosion turned heads, but the bigger development is his command of Houston’s offense. On a roster filled with veterans who played deep into March a year ago, he has emerged as the primary creator. That level of trust says everything about where he stands.
6. Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas
Few freshmen in the country carry a heavier load. Acuff initiates offense, spaces the floor, and still protects the ball at an elite rate. The efficiency paired with usage is what separates him. In most seasons, his résumé would place him firmly in the Freshman of the Year conversation.
5. Keaton Wagler, SG, Illinois
Wagler’s rise has been one of the defining stories of the season. Once lightly recruited, he is now the engine of the nation’s most dangerous offense. His shooting stretches defenses beyond their comfort zone, and his confidence in hostile environments feels seasoned. Illinois goes as he goes.
4. AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
Dybantsa remains one of the most physically gifted players in the sport. His aggression occasionally leads to uneven efficiency, but his presence alone changes matchups. Even during BYU’s recent struggles, he continues to put pressure on defenses in ways few players can replicate.
3. Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Peterson’s ranking reflects a balance between dominance and availability. When he is on the floor, he looks like the most complete guard in the country. Limited minutes have not limited influence, and his late-game shot-making has already decided outcomes. A full sample would likely push him even higher.
2. Caleb Wilson, PF, North Carolina
Wilson has been as consistent as any freshman in America, stacking efficient scoring nights and double-doubles without fanfare. That consistency will be tested Saturday when North Carolina hosts Duke. Wilson’s ability to run the floor, finish through contact, and defend without fouling will be central to the Tar Heels’ game plan against Cameron Boozer.
1. Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke
There is still a gap. Boozer dictates games with a level of control rarely seen from a freshman, blending power, patience, and polish. On Saturday, he will take that presence into Chapel Hill for a head-to-head matchup against Caleb Wilson when Duke visits North Carolina. In a season overflowing with elite freshmen, that showdown feels like a defining moment, and Boozer remains the standard everyone else is chasing.