Austin Rivers and the 10 Most Impactful Incoming College Basketball Freshmen

The recruiting process is one of the most technical and tedious processes in all of sports. It has to be a perfect fit, meaning that a player and school need to form a strong cohesiveness quickly, so that player can contribute his maximum potential.

Even if a coveted "Diaper Dandy" only stays in college for one year, his presence and impact can be extremely influential for a team's success. 

The following is a list of 10 incoming freshmen who will make immediate impacts for their future schools.

Rakeem Christmas, C, Syracuse

ESPNU has Christmas as this year's top-rated center on its annual ESPNU 100 list. This defensive-minded big man is a perfect fit into Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone because of his length and ability to control the paint.

His offensive development will come as he fits into the offense, but comparisons to current Orange big man Rick Jackson are hard to ignore. Jackson is currently the nation's fifth-leading rebounder, and Christmas will hope to mirror Jackson's rebounding prowess.

Myck Kabongo, PG, Texas

Current Texas starter Dogus Balbay is a senior, giving Kabongo a chance to step in and make an immediate impact. How much and how quickly he begins to produce is still up in the air, as much of it relies on whether or not Cory Joseph leaves for the NBA.

He experienced a very successful high school career at Findlay Prep in Nevada, a school notorious for producing fine college and professional talent.

Kabongo is the ninth-ranked player on the ESPNU 100, and just recently recommitted to Rick Barnes' program.

James McAdoo, PF, North Carolina

He's 6'8", 220 pounds and has the ability to face you up or finish around the rim with either hand. McAdoo is one of the best basketball players in this incoming class, and will fit very nicely in Roy Williams' system.

The 2010 Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia will have to deal with the pressure of replacing players like Tyler Zeller and John Henson, but his skill set makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.

The transition will be one to take serious note of.

Quincy Miller, PF, Baylor

Quincy Miller was made to play basketball for Baylor. He's long, athletic, can rebound, shot-block and play exceptionally inside and out.

He's most likely going to be a one-and-done player, similar to Perry Jones.

Unfortunately, Miller will be arriving to Waco in the fall after not having played a basketball game since his junior season. He tore his ACL and has not played a game yet this season. If he can overcome this injury, his full potential will be tapped by coach Scott Drew, making Miller one of the most dangerous players in the country.

Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

The 2010 Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri is a stud and has been drawing comparisons to prolific three-point shooters like Ray Allen.

He has good size (6'3'') and range that stretches far beyond the NBA three-point line. He's been signed to Florida since 2009 and is guaranteed to make an immediate impact.

While this recruiting class has been continually highlighted by names like Rivers and Gilchrist, Bradley Beal may be the best player who nobody is talking about.

Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

This is the third straight year that John Calipari has snagged the nation's top rated point guard. Assuming that Marcus Teague will follow in the footsteps of John Wall and Brandon Knight, it's safe to say that he will come in and pay immediate dividends.

This is absolutely the perfect fit for Teague because John Calipari is known for how well he develops point guards, even if they only stay for one year.

Plus, this guy has basketball in his blood. He is the younger brother of former Wake Forest standout and Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague.

Wayne Blackshear, SF, Louisville

Wayne Blackshear is downright unstoppable in the transition offense, and will be one of the leading candidates for Big East Freshman of the Year. He has very good size at 6'5" and finishes at the rim with power and grace because of his incredible jumping ability.

His only weakness is his perimeter jumper, but that is a facet that Rick Pitino can focus on molding throughout the season. 

Blackshear averaged 29 points and 14 rebounds per game his junior season for Morgan Park High School in Chicago.

Michael Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Mike Gilchrist is probably the best player in this class not named Austin Rivers. Ranked third on the ESPNU 100, Gilchrist found a match made in heaven when he committed to Kentucky. He, along with his fellow classmates, will most likely be the next wave of one-and-done Wildcat phenoms, but we don't really care.

All that is known is that this kid can flat-out play basketball. He's a rare mixture of extreme athleticism and solid toughness, which should transition nicely into SEC basketball.

Cody Zeller, PF, Indiana

There is a ton of hype surrounding young Cody Zeller. Many experts believe that he is going to be the savior of the Hoosier program, a claim that adds immense pressure to the young forward. The truth is, he may be Tom Crean's savior.

Crean has experienced a little improvement over his three years in Bloomington, but Hoosier nation is still restless. Crean will be relying heavily on Zeller to produce right away next winter.

Cody Zeller is the younger brother of North Carolina forward Tyler Zeller.

Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Austin Rivers is easily the best high school basketball player in the country, and he is also the son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers is one of those players who is going to make a serious impact no matter where he plays. He originally was slated to play at Florida, in his home state, but ultimately decided to play for Coach K at Duke.

It is almost certain that Austin Rivers will be the most impressive freshman next season, and will also receive hype in overall player of the year talks.