Freshman Classes Having the Biggest Impact on College Basketball in 2015-16
In the current one-and-done era of college basketball, more than ever, a focus has been placed on freshmen to immediately produce. Since elite high school talents can't go straight to the NBA, colleges have welcomed former teenage lottery picks with open arms, and in some cases, there are programs that quickly build title contenders around first-year players.
The success of blue-blood programs like Duke and Kentucky landing future pros and continuing to win is well-documented, but there are plenty of other college basketball programs that have used freshmen right away to become NCAA tournament contenders.
Here's a look at 10 freshman groups that have come in and succeeded right away during the 2015-16 season. Some of these groups have a star player leading the way, while others are deep and balanced collectives that have been pleasant surprises.
We based this list heavily on production, and team success also factored into the equation. While some programs are using all freshmen to produce on losing teams, many programs are in the NCAA tournament hunt. Thanks to freshman contributions, some of them are surpassing expectations.
10. Syracuse
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Headliner
Malachi Richardson was the lone McDonald's All-American in the Syracuse freshman class, and he's lived up to early expectations by being a steady scorer and day-one starter. On a team that doesn't have a lot of shot-creators, Richardson has had to do a bit too much at times, but he's still remained productive.
X-factor
Coming out of high school, 6'8" forward Tyler Lydon was considered more prospect than player, but he's proved to be a capable ACC big man right out of the gate. While people never questioned Lydon's skill level, it's the toughness he's shown on the glass and protecting the rim that has been a pleasant surprise.
Why They're Here
Syracuse has had to rely heavily on its starting five this season with a limited bench, and with Richardson and Lydon both playing a key part in that, the Orange deserve to be on this list. After last season's controversy surrounding the NCAA sanctions, Syracuse is in position to potentially make the 2016 NCAA tournament with two freshman starters, which shows how important the youngsters have been this season.
9. UNLV
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Headliner
As the local McDonald's All-American who chose to stay in Las Vegas, the pressure to be the savior was instantly thrown at 7-foot center Stephen Zimmerman. By averaging 10.6 points and nine rebounds per game, Zimmerman has done his part and been a key player on both ends of the floor for UNLV. Also averaging 2.1 blocks per game, Zimmerman is one of the Rebels' only rim protectors.
X-factor
In high school, Derrick Jones was known as being a guy who could win an NBA dunk contest someday. The high-flying, 6'7" wing has been more than just a dunker at UNLV this season. He's put up some really good numbers (10.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.1 BPG) in only 19.6 minutes per contest. Jones has been great in uptempo games, and he's just starting to grasp how to properly play in the half-court setting.
Why They're Here
Besides the production of Zimmerman and Jones—who are two of the team's top three scorers—freshman guard Jalen Poyser (46.2% 3PT) has also been a solid option off the bench. Although it's been a disappointing season at UNLV (and the school dismissed former head coach Dave Rice in the middle of the season), the freshmen have been as good as advertised.
8. Oregon State
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Headliner
As the son of Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle, Tres Tinkle had the early pressure of being the coach's son and one of the team's most highly regarded recruits in years. The 6'8" Tinkle has been more than adequate thus far, as he's second on the Beavers in scoring, rebounding and steals to All-American candidate Gary Payton II.
X-factor
Despite playing under 20 minutes a game, 6'4" guard Stephen Thompson Jr. has shown a knack for scoring, as he's third on the team at 10.1 points per game. The son of Oregon State assistant coach Stephen Thompson (sense a trend here?), Thompson Jr. also has the unique pressure of playing for his dad and has shown that he's a solid Pac-12 player.
Why They're Here
Oregon State had a consensus top-25 recruiting class entering 2015-16, but not many expected three of the team's top four scorers to come from this group. Tinkle and Thompson Jr. have both responded well to playing for their fathers, while 6'10" center Drew Eubanks (7.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG) has also been solid down low. The future is bright at Oregon State, but the freshman class is already playing a major role.
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7. Cal
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Headliner
McDonald's All-American Jaylen Brown made the shocking decision to go to Cal last spring, and he's been the team's best player since senior Tyrone Wallace went down with injury. A likely lottery pick in the 2016 NBA draft, the 6'7" Brown has shown he can score against any kind of competition, and he's also been a great rebounder from the wing.
X-factor
It's hard to call a former 5-star prospect and McDonald's All-American an under-the-radar player, but it feels like the nation has come around to how good Ivan Rabb has been at times this season. Averaging 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, Rabb isn't the focal point in the Cal offense, but he stays productive by having a nose for the ball and doing the little things.
Why They're Here
Many expected Cal to make the 2016 NCAA tournament with the addition of their two McDonald's All-Americans, and so far, Brown and Rabb have lived up to the billing as starters. Brown and Rabb have also been pretty efficient when it comes to field-goal percentages, as they haven't had to force a lot of bad looks on a pretty balanced team.
6. Marquette
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Headliner
Henry Ellenson didn't have the buzz of a lot of his freshman peers since he missed the spring all-star games with injury, but he's shown that he's a potential top-five pick in the upcoming 2016 NBA draft with a monster season. The in-state product has shown a vast amount of skill at 6'10" and been Marquette's clear No. 1 option on a team that has postseason aspirations.
X-factor
Florida native Haanif Cheatham was talented and a known top-100 prospect coming out of high school, but the slippery 6'5" guard has been better than expected. Cheatham has scored and been a solid all-around guard for the Golden Eagles, and his shooting splits are impressive (49.5% FG, 41.9% 3PT, 79.8% FT).
Why They're Here
Ellenson is playing like a lottery pick, and Cheatham looks like a potential All-Big East player in a few years, but Marquette has also received solid contributions from point guard Traci Carter. Although Carter hasn't found his stride as a scorer, he leads Marquette in assists, and he's been a calming presence at lead guard at times this season. With three freshmen producing at a high level, Marquette's class has lived up to expectations.
5. Duke
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Headliner
After a slow start that saw him move to the bench for a brief time, Brandon Ingram has become one of the toughest covers in the ACC. The long-limbed, 6'9" wing is scoring at every level and getting some buzz as a potential No. 1 overall pick. Don't let Ingram's sleepy-eyed demeanor fool you; this dude is an assassin.
X-factor
Guard Luke Kennard was also a bit slow out of the gate, but he's come into his own as Duke's No. 3 scoring option and a solid overall guard. Kennard is averaging 12.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and gives the Blue Devils another floor-spacer.
Why They're Here
Duke was expected to have one of the most productive freshman classes in the country since they were a consensus top-three class. Ingram has been great the last few months, and Kennard and point guard Derryck Thornton have played big minutes for the Blue Devils.
But the team hasn't found as much on-court success as expected, and part of the reason is the limited production of McDonald's All-American Chase Jeter. This group is still solid, but it hasn't been as good as some other groups.
4. Kentucky
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Headliner
Jamal Murray has run hot and cold at times this season, but the 6'5" guard has been Kentucky's leading scorer to this point in the season. Murray has taken over some games with his perimeter shooting, and he's also a good enough playmaker to set up teammates.
X-factor
Although he's struggled mightily from the free-throw line (40.5%), Isaiah Briscoe has been a productive all-around guard for the Wildcats and the type of competitive player who brings intensity each game. The 6'3" Briscoe isn't afraid to guard the opposing team's biggest perimeter threat, and he's second on the team in assists behind Tyler Ulis.
Why They're Here
With John Calipari-coached teams at Kentucky, freshmen have always commanded the spotlight, and this season is no different. But while players like Murray and Briscoe have been productive, center Skal Labissiere has been a disappointment in terms of overall production, leaving Kentucky out of the top few spots. Center Isaac Humphries is also a year away from making more of an impact, but wing Charles Matthews has been a solid reserve this season.
3. Florida State
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Headliner
Guard Malik Beasley has been one of the best players in the ACC, regardless of class, with his play this season. The 6'5" freshman can score with the best of them, and he's been efficient despite being a top option and focal point of opposing defenses. Beasley's shooting splits are outstanding (51.5% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 84.2% FT), and he's also been an effective rebounder from the wing.
X-factor
For a while there, Beasley and 6'7" running mate Dwayne Bacon were neck-and-neck in every statistical category, but Beasley's efficiency has him as the team's most important player. Bacon has still been tremendous, though, as he's a ruthless open-floor athlete who can play above the rim with the best of them.
Why They're Here
Beasley and Bacon have been the best one-two punch of any freshman duo in the country, and 6'6" wing Terance Mann has also been a contributor off the bench. With the way Beasley and Bacon have consistently scored, it's made up for the slump endured by Florida State guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes and kept the Seminoles in the hunt for the postseason.
2. LSU
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Headliner
Is there any question it is Ben Simmons? The 6'10" Australian forward has been a major Player of the Year candidate from the moment this season tipped off, and he's putting up monster numbers. People had sky-high expectations for Simmons, and he's matched all of them.
X-factor
Antonio Blakeney has always been the athletic perimeter running mate to Simmons since their days with E1T1 in the Nike EYBL, but he's also been productive as a freshman at LSU. The high-flying 6'3" guard is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, and he also knows where to spot up when Simmons has the ball in his hands.
Why They're Here
With Simmons living up to expectations and being a prime POY front-runner (and likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft), it's an easy decision to put LSU near the top of this list. Simmons is putting up video game numbers (19.4 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 5.0 APG) and has the Tigers in position to compete for the SEC title.
Throw in Blakeney, a dangerous double-digit scorer who can put up points in a hurry, and LSU has been getting a lot of production from its freshman class.
1. Washington
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Headliner
Dejounte Murray was the talented, top-100 local kid staying home to play for the Huskies, but not many saw this kind of season coming. The 6'5" Murray is averaging 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game, producing all over the floor and becoming a name NBA scouts are quickly becoming familiar with.
X-factor
Murray hasn't been the only surprise for Washington, as bouncy 6'9" forward Marquese Chriss has also started to generate some NBA attention. Considered more of a prospect than a player coming out of high school, Chriss has averaged 12.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.
Why They're Here
It isn't just Murray and Chriss who have been productive freshmen for Washington. Nearly the entire rotation for the Huskies is made up of freshmen who have played way better than many expected. Guard David Crisp, center Noah Dickerson and wing Matisse Thybulle all average at least 22 minutes per game, and the five productive freshmen have Washington in the 2016 NCAA tournament picture when it looked like it could have been a rebuilding year.
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