NCAA Basketball's Top 10 Freshmen

Now, more than ever, we are seeing "one and done" players who play only their freshman year of college basketball before opting to turn pro.

In the 2010 NBA Draft there were a record-setting 10 freshmen selected in the first two rounds alone. This trend will continue to repeat itself as long as freshmen continue to make significant and immediate impacts on the collegiate level.

This slideshow presents the top 10 freshmen in the country based on their stats, skill set, contribution, and the impact they have on their team. Enjoy!

10.) Josh Selby: Kansas Jayhawks

In Josh Selby's college debut vs. USC, he made five three-pointers, scored 21 points, had five rebounds and one assist and made the game-winning three-pointer with just over 20 seconds left in the game. 

When asked about his debut, he said, "I wasn't really worried about my individual statistics. I was focused on my team."

Since the December 18th match-up vs. the Trojans, Selby has been doing just that—focusing on his team. As his team's third leading scorer, Selby is a major contributor to the Jayhawks' success and is a big reason why Kansas is a top contender to win the Big 12.

His stats: 12.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.2 SPG

9.) Cory Joseph: Texas Longhorns

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

GREENSBORO, NC - DECEMBER 18: Cory Joseph #5 of the Texas Longhorns shoots over Larry Drew II #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at Greensboro Coliseum on December 18, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The first of two Longhorns mentioned in this slideshow, Cory Joseph is a big-time guard who meshes well with his teammates both on and off the court.

Joseph possesses great ball skills and defensive instinct. He also has the ability to either drive to the bucket and make plays for himself and his teammates or shoot the jumper.

Joseph complements his teammates very well and will be a huge weapon when the NCAA Tournament comes around.

His stats:11.2 PPG; 4.2 RPG; 3.1 APG; 1.1 SPG

8.) C.J. Leslie: NC State Wolfpack

C.J. Leslie has all of the tools needed to be a big time NCAA forward for a couple of years.

He is very unselfish, generates a lot of energy, has great leadership qualities and makes everyone around him better. After losing Javier Gonzalez and Dennis Horner, the Wolfpack are relieved to have a stud young buck like Leslie.

The farther the Wolfpack get into the tournament, the more important Leslie will become.

Stats: 10.7 PPG; 7.4 RPG; 0.9 APG; 0.8 SPG; 1.5 BPG

7.) Tristan Thompson: Texas Longhorns

Cory Joseph and Tristian Thompson highschool highlights

A native of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Tristan Thompson has become one of the most dominating forwards in the Big 12. At a healthy 6'8" 225 lbs with a wide wing span, he has been tenacious on the defensive end of the court and is a huge reason why Texas is one of the hottest teams in the country right now.

Thompson possesses a solid body and a great skill set. He is good under the basket, has good foot work and the ability to shoot the mid-range jumper and most importantly, he has a great bond with Cory Joseph that dates back to high school.

His stats: 12.8 PPG; 7.5 RPG; 1.2 APG; 1 SPG; 2.2 BPG

6.) Perry Jones: Baylor Bears

The Baylor Bears had a very successful 2009-2010 season, entering the NCAA Tournament with a No. 3 seed and eventually making a Sweet 16 appearance. To repeat this, they would need some fresh young talent, having lost senior point guard Tweety Carter to graduation and junior forward/center Ekpe Udoh to the NBA Draft.  

Who better to replace them than freshman Perry Jones? The 6'11" forward/center from Duncanville, Texas is filling the shoes of Udoh very nicely, having similar stats, stature, energy, and passion.

However, Jones has a different skill set than Udoh—he has a very impressive stroke for a big man, he is good at driving to the bucket and he continues to improve his footwork in the low post.

He is one of the most talented players in the Big 12 and is tops in the country shooting 57 percent from the field.

His stats: 14.1 PPG, 7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 BPG

5.) Tobias Harris: Tennessee Volunteers

As the second-leading scorer and leading rebounder for the Tennessee Volunteers, 6'8" forward Tobias Harris has shown great leadership qualities and he provides an element to the Volunteers that is one of the best in the South Eastern Conference.

To top it off, he is putting up even better numbers than senior Wayne Chism did for the Vols a year ago.

His stats: 14.7 PPG; 7.7 RPG; 1.6 APG; 0.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG

4.) Brandon Knight: Kentucky Wildcats

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 22: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks the ball during the game against the Winthrop Eagles on December 22, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 89-52. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

You would think that after losing two freshmen in the first round of the NBA Draft the year before, that Kentucky would take a backseat in terms of fabulous freshmen. But the Wildcats keep bringing in more talent. 

We all remember John Wall's impressive freshman campaign, turning that into the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Well, this guy's not far behind Mr. Wall and if he continues to play at the same pace, he will be wearing a different jersey next season and making a lot of money.

His stats: 17.6 PPG; 4.1 RPG; 3.8 APG; 0.7 SPG

3.) Kyrie Irving: Duke Blue Devils

The defending national champions have so much star power that it's hard to single anyone out. When you're talking about the best point guards in the nation however, Kyrie Irving's name should definitely be mentioned. 

Irving has great vision on the basketball court and knows how to find the open man. At the same time, he also knows when to either tuck the ball down and drive to the basket, or spot up for a jumper on the perimeter.

His stats: 17.4 PPG; 3.8 RPG; 5.1 APG; 0.6 BPG

2.) Terrance Jones: Kentucky Wildcats

What can I say, Kentucky just continues to reel in top-notch players from top-notch programs. 

Highly-touted and widely-known Terrence Jones is no exception and just as Brandon Knight is putting up better numbers than what John Wall did a year ago, Jones is putting up better numbers than DeMarcus Cousins (the 5th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft) and has a very similar skill set.

Jones was a very exciting guy to watch in high school and it has transitioned nicely to his freshman season thus far. Maybe he will follow in Cousins' footsteps and be a top five pick in the NBA Draft come June.

His stats: 17.9 PPG; 9 RPG; 1.6 SPG; 1.9 BPG

1.) Jared Sullinger: Ohio State Buckeyes

Sullinger set an Ohio State freshman record with 40 points in the game vs.IUPUI

Jared Sullinger has the post skills of a center, smarts of a point guard and size of a hoss.

You'd think a team that lost the Naismith Player of the Year (Evan Turner) wouldn't be as successful as they were a year ago, yet the Buckeyes are 21-0 and are the No. 1 team in the country in every major poll.

Sullinger's biggest offensive weapon is his enormous rump that he has learned how to use to near perfection. As Brent Musberger said, "Even Charles Barkley would be jealous of his rear end."

His dominant low post presence draws a lot of attention under the basket which can open up players on the perimeter. He is literally the biggest reason why Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the country.

Stats: 18 PPG; 9.9 RPG; 1.4 APG; 1 SPG, 0.5 BPG