College Basketball Preseason Freshman All-American Team
In this day and age of one-and-done college basketball, it seems like all the big programs are looking for those one or two true impact recruits to come in and elevate their team to dominant status.
This year’s group of incoming freshman looks to be as deep and as talented as any we’ve seen in some time. And many of the top names from this year’s class are headed to prominent programs so we’ll get the chance to see if they can really make a difference for schools that are looking to contend
There are six names in particular that have caught the attention of many college basketball fans.
These six prospects each look like they have what it takes to not only dominate at the collegiate level, they also possess the skills to one day be stars in the NBA.
Point Guard: Kyrie Irving, Duke
1 of 6
High School: St. Patrick (New Jersey)
Height: 6‘2
Weight: 175
Irving will take over for the departed Jon Scheyer as the point man for the Blue Devils offense. The New Jersey native has everything you want in an elite guard prospect and he should flourish as a distributor next to experienced offensive playmakers Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith.
Every evaluator that has watched Irving play has only had rave reviews about his natural ability and leadership skills.
The consensus No. 1 rated point guard of the 2010 class has already drawn comparisons to all time Duke great Jason Williams, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Irving end up as a top five draft pick like his predecessor.
Shooting Guard: Will Barton, Memphis
2 of 6
High School: Brewster (New Hampshire)
Height: 6‘6
Weight: 170
Barton was a major get for second year coach Josh Pastner. The top notch shooting guard chose to play for the Tigers even though he held offers from schools with more prominent coaches like Kentucky and Syracuse.
The incoming freshman has already made the bold declaration that Memphis will bring home the National Championship this season.
While that maybe a little ambitious at this point, as long as Barton's on the floor, the Tigers look like the definitive favorite to run through Conference USA this season.
The 6‘6 ultra-athletic guard, who was just recently ruled eligible by the NCAA, will be a matchup nightmare for anyone that tries to guard him.
Combo Guard: Josh Selby, Kansas
3 of 6
High School: Lake Clifton (Maryland)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 180
Selby came to Kansas with the capability of playing either guard spot for the Jayhawks but it’s likely we will see the young freshman at the point guard position this season.
One word that seems to pop up with great frequency in relation to Selby is the word playmaker and it’s with good reason. The Baltimore native can both score and create with great effectiveness, and his versatility on the offensive side of the ball should be a great asset to coach Bill Self.
This Kansas team is in a bit of a transition phase as they try to fill the holes left by Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich, and Xavier Henry.
Expect Selby along with guys like Marcus Morris to be the real leaders of this Jayhawks team as they try and bounce back after last year’s embarrassing early exit from the NCAA Tournament.
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Small Forward: Harrison Barnes, UNC
4 of 6
High School: Ames (Iowa)
Height: 6‘7
Weight: 215
The 6‘7 Barnes, who was the true "big name" of the 2010 class, is an absolute physical presence who looks to have everything it takes to be the next coveted Tar Heel NBA prospect.
After leading Ames to an undefeated championship season in his junior year, Barnes was able to repeat the same success as a senior by leading his Ames squad to a 27-0 state championship season.
For his efforts and outstanding play, Harrison was honored with the prestigious Morgan Wooten Award, which is annually given to the nation’s top player.
Power Forward: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State
5 of 6
High School: Northland (Ohio)
Height: 6‘9
Weight: 280
Sullinger was the standout player for a Northland squad that was ranked as one of the top five teams in the nation through the majority of this past season.
The Columbus native is the best rebounder of this freshman class and it wouldn’t be surprising if he turned out to be the best low post player in all of college basketball once he adapts to the level of play.
Sullinger’s size and strength are valuable commodities and they could change the way the Buckeyes play this season after they relied on guard Evan Turner so much throughout last year’s run.
Ohio State fans should enjoy the young big man while they can. He is one of the many likely one-and-done candidates who will head to the NBA after the season.
Center: Enes Kanter, Kentucky
6 of 6
High School: Stoneridge Prep (California)
Height: 6‘9
Weight: 240
Kanter looks to have the most potential out of any member of Kentucky’s No. 1 rated incoming recruiting class which also includes the likes of Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones.
The Turkish native is likely to be the next great foreign player to take the NBA by storm, but it’s still unknown at this point whether or not Kanter will be eligible to play for Kentucky this season.
His Turkish club team reportedly gave Kanter and his family benefits which would jeopardize his amateur status.
If Kanter does get the opportunity to play like Kentucky coach John Calipari is hoping for, he has a chance to be the most dominant big man in all of college basketball.
At this past Nike Hoops Summit, Kanter demonstrated his monstrous ability by scoring 34 points and hauling in 13 rebounds against some of the best young competition in the world.
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