The 1st Real Test for College Basketball's Top Freshman in the 2016-17 Season
The college basketball season is rapidly approaching, and this will mark an important season for the game's freshman class.
There are currently 15 freshmen listed in the latest Draft Express 2017 NBA mock draft. Many of them will be under pressure to produce right away at the college level. It also means all eyes will be on them from the beginning of the season.
Major college basketball programs can have hit-or-miss nonconference schedules. So here's a breakdown of freshmen from 10 of the country's biggest programs and games to watch them. Some of these teams have four or five 5-star prospects, while others only have one player of note.
Expect to see many of these names in the hunt for All-American honors before quickly moving on to the professional ranks.
10. Jonathan Isaac, Florida State
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Freshman to Watch: Jonathan Isaac is a stretch 4 who can play multiple spots on the floor while rebounding at an elite level. The 5-star prospect is the centerpiece of Florida State's five-man recruiting class.
Why He's Special: Last season, Florida State didn't fit together well. Malik Beasley, Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Dwayne Bacon all needed the ball in their hands to be at their best. With Isaac replacing Beasley in the lineup, he can play off the ball and provide more rebounding and rim protection. Isaac's size at 6'10" and his skill level of a wing make him a potential matchup nightmare at the next level.
Game to Watch: Circle Dec. 11 if you're near the Sunshine State because the Florida State matchup with Florida should be a fun contest. In addition to being a huge in-state rivalry—with football obviously taking the main stage—both teams have NCAA tournament aspirations and talented teams. This matchup should also give Isaac his first real test against length and athletic in the front court as Gators big men John Egbunu and Devin Robinson are both athletes.
9. Jarrett Allen and Andrew Jones, Texas
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Freshmen to Watch: Center Jarrett Allen and guard Andrew Jones are both 5-star prospects who opted to stay in Texas and play for head coach Shaka Smart. The duo has the Longhorns optimistic that they can make a NCAA tournament run this season despite having a young team.
Why They're Special: Both Allen and Jones are top-20 prospects, and they have the athleticism and skill to be monsters in Smart's system. Allen should be able to defend the rim and rebound. He has good touch from mid-range and in. Jones is a 6'4" lead guard who can handle and score. Jones should be able to get in the paint and make plays for others. He gives the Longhorns another perimeter athlete who can emerge as a good defender.
Game to Watch: The Lone Star Shootout against Arkansas on Dec. 17 should be a great test for the Longhorns. The Razorbacks can match up with them at key positions. In the post, Arkansas has senior center Moses Kingsley, an SEC Player of the Year candidate who should be a good matchup for Allen. The junior college duo of Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon bolsters the Razorback backcourt. Arkansas should be deep enough to test Jones and the other Texas guards.
8. Miles Bridges and Joshua Langford, Michigan State
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Freshmen to Watch: Replacing Denzel Valentine, Bryn Forbes and Matt Costello will be tough, but head coach Tom Izzo reloaded with a strong recruiting class. In-state forward Miles Bridges and shooting guard Josh Langford are two 5-star prospects in a four-man recruiting class that has all top-50 prospects.
Why They're Special: Michigan State typically doesn't rely so much on freshmen, but Bridges and Langford are both athletic, skilled and have college-ready frames. Bridges is 6'6", 220 pounds and a matchup nightmare because of his power and quickness. If Bridges knocks down three-pointers, he could be unguardable. Langford is a power guard who is great in transition and tough on defense. Also a decent shot-maker, Langford should be ready to score right away.
Game to Watch: The Spartans have a ridiculously tough nonconference schedule. The opener in the Armed Forces Classic against Arizona in Honolulu on Nov. 11 looks especially intriguing. Since both teams have question marks in the post, it could be a fun, up-and-down game that showcases the athleticism of both teams' freshmen. It'll also be interesting to see how Arizona will defend Bridges and how Cassius Winston and Josh Langford match up with Arizona's incoming 5-star guards.
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7. Rawle Alkins, Lauri Markannen and Kobi Simmons, Arizona
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Freshmen to Watch: Guard Rawle Alkins and big man Lauri Markannen are the 5-star prospects of the group, while guard Kobi Simmons is a high 4-star prospect who is a tremendous athlete. The trio should all play major minutes for Arizona this season.
Why They're Special: Alkins and Simmons are both athletic, attacking guards who can get to the rim while handling the ball. Both are inconsistent three-point shooters, but paired together, the duo is going to be tough to stop with Arizona's existing backcourt talent. Markannen might end up being the best pro prospect of the group. He's a 6'11" stretch big man who has shown well in international competitions with the Finnish national team.
Game to Watch: Arizona will get a big test against Michigan State in the opener. However, playing Gonzaga in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Game on Dec. 3 in Los Angeles also could be an interesting matchup. With loads of size and athleticism across multiple spots on the floor, the Bulldogs pose a challenge for the attacking styles Alkins and Simmons possess. Markannen also must prove that he can bang with a deep Gonzaga frontline that includes senior Przemek Karnowski, junior Jonathan Williams and McDonald's All-American Zach Collins.
6. Lonzo Ball, Ike Anigbogu and T.J. Leaf, UCLA
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Freshmen to Watch: Point guard Lonzo Ball is a special passer, and at 6'5", he has rare size for a primary ball-handler. The Bruins also have two more 5-star players in center Ike Anigbogu and forward T.J. Leaf.
Why They're Special: Ball has the ability to put up triple-doubles as an elite passer, strong rebounder and prolific distance shooter. Ball's basketball IQ is exceptional, and he should make everyone around him better. Anigbogu gives the Bruins an additional big man for the rotation who can protect the rim and rebound. Leaf is skilled for a 6'10" forward, and he has surprising bounce around the basket. He gives UCLA the option to space the floor at multiple spots.
Game to Watch: The Bruins travel to Lexington to face Kentucky on Dec. 3. This will be the third consecutive season these two teams have played. The rubber match will give Ball a chance to face an ultra-athletic backcourt and prove he can play against anybody. Leaf and Anigbogu will have to battle Kentucky's deep big-man rotation. Rupp Arena should be rocking for this one.
5. Dennis Smith Jr. and Omer Yurtseven, N.C. State
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Freshmen to Watch: Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. stayed close to home to play for N.C. State. He could be a top-five pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Turkish big man Omer Yurtseven is suspended for the first nine games of the 2016-17 season. But he's a 5-star prospect and potential one-and-done player as well.
Why They're Special: Smith brings an electricity when he takes the floor as he's capable of powerful dunks and acrobatic plays with the ball in his hands. He's a pick-and-roll maestro who can finish with the best of them while being a steady floor leader. Yurtseven should be one of Smith's main pick-and-roll targets, and he's a steady post scorer with good hands and touch. With N.C. State having so many shooters and weapons, it should benefit both Smith and Yurtseven.
Game to Watch: The Wolfpack have a light nonconference schedule, and Yurtseven is out for the first chunk of the season. That means the best early game for them has to be against conference rival North Carolina at the Dean Dome on Saturday, Jan. 7. The ACC rivalry game will give Smith the chance to face an experienced backcourt on the road that can really defend. Meanwhile, Yurtseven has to battle a strong big man in Kennedy Meeks and a bouncy and active forward in Isaiah Hicks.
4. Josh Jackson, Kansas
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Freshman to Watch: Some consider 6'7" wing Josh Jackson to be the No. 1 player in the Class of 2016. The Detroit native joins an experienced Kansas team that could be in line for a potential title run.
Why He's Special: A competitive two-way wing who is an elite athlete, Jackson can do it all when he takes the floor. With an ability to score, rebound, handle, pass and defend, Jackson should be a huge part of the Jayhawks this season. Put together with Frank Mason and Devonte Graham, Jackson helps form one of the best perimeter trios in the country.
Game to Watch: One of the biggest games of the early season is the Jayhawks matchup with Duke in Madison Square Garden at the Champions Classic on Nov. 15. That matchup should put two of the biggest national-title contenders in America's most famous arena. And Jackson could play against Blue Devils freshman Jayson Tatum. If Tatum isn't healthy, Jackson will still have to face Grayson Allen and Frank Jackson on the perimeter.
3. Markelle Fultz, Washington
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Freshman to Watch: One season after putting Marquese Chriss and Dejounte Murray in the NBA Draft, Washington gets 6'4" freshman Markelle Fultz. He is potentially the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Why He's Special: Fultz is a complete guard with a unique scoring package and passing ability. He can make creative plays with the ball in his hands that others can't accomplish. Deep range on his jumper helps Fultz get to the basket. He uses his deceptive athleticism to finish over bigger defenders. Fultz showing something on the defensive end would be a huge bonus for the Huskies this season.
Game to Watch: The nonconference schedule is light for the Huskies, but they do have to travel to Gonzaga for a road game against a Top-25 opponent. By facing All-American candidate Nigel Williams-Goss and a backcourt that also features Jordan Mathews and Josh Perkins, Fultz will go against ample talent and size for one group.
2. De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo and Wenyen Gabriel, Kentucky
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Freshmen to Watch: It comes as no surprise that Wildcats head coach John Calipari has another loaded freshman class. This one includes four 5-star prospects and a high 4-star prospect. Point guard De'Aaron Fox, guard Malik Monk, power forward Bam Adebayo and forward Wenyen Gabriel are the 5-stars. Forward Sacha Killeya-Jones is the 4-star recruit.
Why They're Special: Whenever you can put that kind of talent together, it's going to be fun to watch. Fox is an elite athlete and incredibly fast two-way guard. Monk can light it up at times in the scoring column and plays well above the rim, thanks to his ridiculous athleticism. Adebayo is a powerful 6'9" forward who could be a double-double machine this season. Gabriel is a defensive force who can switch onto anybody despite standing 6'10". Killeya-Jones will likely need a year to add strength, but he's skilled for his size.
Game to Watch: Kentucky plays some good teams. But it hosts North Carolina on Dec. 17 at Rupp Arena in a game that should test the young Wildcats. The Tar Heels return so much experience from last year's national-title-game team. So it will be interesting to see how Fox and Monk play against UNC's Joel Berry and Justin Jackson while Adebayo has to go against Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks.
1. Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles, Marques Bolden and Frank Jackson, Duke
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Freshmen to Watch: This group is special for Duke. It includes four 5-star prospects—forward Harry Giles, wing Jayson Tatum, center Marques Bolden and guard Frank Jackson. Top-50 power forward Javin DeLaurier is also in the class.
Why They're Special: Giles has to get healthy after multiple knee injuries. He's capable of monster double-double production, thanks to his tremendous skill and athleticism. A polished scorer who is capable of getting to the free-throw line and scoring in the mid-range, Tatum is talented and smooth. Bolden was a valuable spring addition. He's a big-time post scorer who can protect the rim. Jackson should get immediate minutes in the backcourt as he can handle and score.
Game to Watch: The Champions Classic game against Kansas is going to be a huge showcase game for Duke on Nov. 15. The Madison Square Garden game will feature two title contenders and some great matchups. Tatum likely will play the Jayhawks' Jackson. Frank Jackson will have to go against the veteran Kansas backcourt of Mason and Graham. Landen Lucas is an experienced senior who will face Marques Bolden down low. It should be a fascinating early-season test for the Duke freshmen.
Recruiting ratings via Scout.com.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.
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