College Basketball Recruiting: 10 Impact Freshmen for 2012-13

While the 2011 freshmen class has been impressive, the 2012 incoming freshmen class will be even better.

The depth in 2012 is outstanding. There's a wonderful mix of talented post players, dynamic guards and a couple of incredibly unique prospects.

The talent of this list spans the nation and isn't subjected to one specific area of the country.

Let's take a look at 10 freshmen who will make an impact next year in 2012...

Honorable Mentions: Cameron Ridley, Archie Goodwin, Kaleb Tarczewski, Anthony Bennett, Alex Poythress, Tony Parker, Sam Dekker

Steven Adams: Committed to Pittsburgh

The center from Wellington, New Zealand is undoubtedly the crown jewel in coach Jamie Dixon's 2012 recruiting class.

Steven Adams is technically a fifth-year player, as he currently attends Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass.

In terms of pure talent, the big man has it in bundles.

At 7'0", he runs the floor like a gazelle. His athleticism allows him to be a supreme defender, as he utilizes his long arms and leaping ability to guard the paint with authority.

He's somewhat raw on the offensive end of the floor, but his overall agility and athleticism allow for him to score in the paint.

Adams will come in right away and impact Dixon's team on the defensive end. From day one, he'll be an imposing shot blocker—something Pitt needs desperately.

Adams is a consensus top-10 player by all of the recruiting publications. Based on potential alone, he should be a one-and-done prospect.

If he can develop somewhat on the offensive end and get stronger physically, he'll be a lottery pick in the 2013 draft.

Kyle Anderson: Committed to UCLA

Kyle Anderson is a winner. Plain and simple.

The prospect from New Jersey plays for the famed high school program St. Anthony. Since transferring there as a sophomore, Anderson has gone 98-1. In the last two years, Anderson's team has gone 65-0.

That type of winning culture will surely be a welcomed sight for UCLA and head coach Ben Howland.

In terms of game play, Anderson is easily the most unique prospect in the entire 2012 class.

At 6'8", his vision on the court is second to none—as is his passing ability. His height allows him to survey the court and pick out teammates for quality shots.

Anderson's game is not predicated upon athleticism, but rather on intelligence and a cerebral nature.

He demonstrates great footwork in addition to a myriad of crafty offensive moves. The moves in his repertoire are incredibly polished, making him a very viable option to play early in college.

As a "point forward" at 6'8", comparisons to Magic Johnson have inevitably come up. Despite that unfair comparison, Anderson certainly displays many of the same attributes that Magic did.

Anderson isn't expected to make the leap to the NBA after one season. It's very possible that he'll turn into a three or four-year player who makes a huge impact on the college level.

Brandon Ashley: Committed to Arizona

The forward from Oakland will be an impact player for head coach Sean Miller the day he steps foot on campus.

Brandon Ashley is an incredibly versatile prospect. At 6'8", he's skilled enough to play small forward, but he's also long enough to bang in the post and play the power forward position.

In terms of upside, Ashley has one of the higher ceilings in the class 2012. He is still underdeveloped physically, but the length, bounce and agility are there.

He has a nice touch that extends from the paint out to inside the three-point arc. Around the rim, he has been known to finish with authority.

Although he might not be ready for the NBA after a freshman campaign, his potential will allow for him to be a first-round pick should be choose to leave Tucson.

Isaiah Austin: Committed to Baylor

The 7'0" forward Isaiah Austin is just oozing with upside and potential.

Austin is eerily similar to current Baylor Bear forward Perry Jones III. Austin has a great touch from the perimeter and can stroke it from out past the three-point arc.

The Texas native truly shines on the offensive end via his skill level. With his length and height, he has the ball skills of a small guard. This versatility provides immense matchup problems on the court.

Austin is too mobile for a bigger defender, in addition to being too tall for a shorter, more mobile defender.

Although he's 7'0", he doesn't lumber up and down the court. On the contrary, he's very fluid with his movements.

His freakish wingspan allows for him to be a wonderful shot blocker as well.

If Austin plays up to his full potential, we could be seeing the second coming of LaMarcus Aldridge with more ability to put the ball on the floor.

With an improved post game, Austin could conceivably be a future top-5 overall pick. Expect his stay in Waco to be short.

Kris Dunn: Committed to Providence

The No. 1 ranked point guard by Scout.com loves to attack the lane with exuberance.

Kris Dunn and fellow recruit Ricardo Ledo are part of a rebuilding project by Providence head coach Ed Cooley.

In order to win in the Big East, great guard play is a must. The tandem of Dunn and Ledo will allow Providence to make some noise in upcoming years.

Dunn can score in a variety of ways, whether it be from the perimeter or by driving the lane and finishing at the rim.

His propensity to slash to the hoop frees up shots for teammates. As the opposition crashes upon Dunn, he's adept at kicking it out for open shots on the perimeter.

Dunn's combination of strength and long arms make him a tantalizing prospect with immense upside.

The point guard is a huge get for Providence.

Never has the school seen a talent of his caliber come into the program. He should start from day one and become one of the most productive freshmen in the country this upcoming year.

Ricardo Ledo: Committed to Providence

Ricardo Ledo is a pure scorer in every sense of the term.

The 6'6" shooting guard can stroke it from all over the perimeter with ease. Ledo also has a very good mid-range game. A strong capability to catch and shoot makes him extremely dangerous on set plays and off of screens.

If you watch some of his footage, one can see how easy he makes scoring the basketball look.

There's not many in the 2012 class who can put the ball in the hoop like Ledo. The sky is truly the limit for the South Kent School product.

A future backcourt pairing of Ledo and Dunn is a scary proposition for future Big East opponents.

You want a comparison for Ledo?

Ray Allen.

Allen is mostly a jump-shooter at this point in his career, but during his days at UConn and in Seattle, he'd attack the rim with his athleticism. Ledo looks to do the same thing when he's not displaying his prowess from the outside.

Mitch McGary: Committed to Michigan

Mitch McGary gives head coach John Beilein something he hasn't had at West Virginia or Michigan: a true post player.

The Indiana native was a relative unknown before reclassifying into the 2012 class. Michigan beat out the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky and Florida for his services.

McGary fully fits the mold of a Beilein big—someone who can stretch the floor effectively and bomb three-pointers.

The difference with McGary from someone like Kevin Pittsnogle, is that McGary is fully capable in the post.

He's a physical player in the paint who has the ability to finish with either hand. He carves out space with his overall size and utilizes an impressive mix of pump fakes and footwork.

McGary will provide Michigan with a physical presence in the post, while also displaying the requisite characteristics that Beilein looks for in a big man to fit his system.

McGary's effectiveness in the post will make Michigan's perimeter game that much more lethal.

Shabazz Muhammad: Undecided

Shabazz Muhammad is one of the more complete prospects in the entire 2012 class.

The Las Vegas native from the famed Bishop Gorman High School truly is a consummate basketball player. 

He plays with a relentless motor—not always a quality seen in highly-regarded prospects. His enthusiasm for the game is infectious, and his will to win accentuates his overall maturity as a player.

The lefty attacks the rim with absolute ferocity. Muhammad can not only elude defenders with craftiness and skill, but he can also power through them with his impressive physique.

While not a great athlete, the small forward/shooting guard more than makes up for it with his effort on both ends of the floor.

Currently, he's down to UCLA, UNLV, Kentucky and Kansas.

However, people believe that he'll end up in Los Angeles playing alongside Kyle Anderson. Muhammad is also set to visit UCLA in the upcoming weeks. It will be his last official visit.

In terms of his professional aspirations, Muhammad has the talent to be a very good player on the next level. His overall character and drive will make him a valuable commodity for any team that drafts him.

Nerlens Noel: Undecided

If you want a prolific shot blocker, look no further than Nerlens Noel.

He unequivocally is the human eraser (and no, I'm not talking about his hair).

A mixture of length, wingspan, athleticism and timing make him absolutely special on the defensive end of the floor. He displays an innate ability to leap off of the floor and instinctively controls the painted area.

He's still raw on the offensive end. Most of his points coming off of dunks or lay ups, so a refinement of his post moves is a must. 

Noel reclassified to the 2012 class from 2013 just recently. However, that hasn't stopped him garnering interest from every major program in the nation.

He just recently narrowed down his list of prospective schools to three: Kentucky, Syracuse and Georgetown.

Each of the three would be ecstatic to land Noel for next year.

Noel would effectively replace Anthony Davis in the middle for Kentucky, he'd create a nightmare shot-blocking duo with Fab Melo at Syracuse and he'd instantly impact Georgetown's post defense.

Either way, expect Noel to be amongst the nation's leaders in blocked shots next season.

Rodney Purvis: Committed to NC State

Rodney Purvis is a strong guard who simply won't be denied when attacking the cup.

NC State head coach Mark Gottfried has got to be licking his chops at the prospect of coaching Purvis in the upcoming year(s).

Not only is the North Carolina native able to slash to the hoop, but he does it with an impressive amount of zeal.

His aggressiveness driving to the hoop allows for him to get fouled and live at the free throw line—when he isn't finishing over helpless defenders at the rim.

With the talent coming to Raleigh, the Wolfpack will be a powerhouse in the ACC before too long.