Last season, we saw what was perhaps the most hyped recruiting class in college basketball history come and go. Led by the likes of Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins, Duke’s Jabari Parker, and Kentucky’s Julius Randle, it seemed from the start that the 2013 freshman class was destined to be the greatest of all time.
It didn’t exactly pan out that way, however.
Doug McDermott, a senior, took home all six of the major national player of the year awards after leading the nation in scoring, averaging an outstanding 26.7 points per game for the Creighton Blue Jays. Several star freshman, including Wiggins, Parker, and Syracuse’s Tyler Ennis, saw their teams exit the NCAA tournament within the first four days of the event. To top it off, the Connecticut Huskies, led by a starting lineup consisting of two seniors and two juniors, topped the Kentucky Wildcats’ all-freshman lineup in the title game on April 7.
While it would be absolutely absurd to consider a freshman class which produced six top-10 NBA draft picks disappointing, it’s fair to say that last season’s first-year stars didn’t meet the unearthly expectations which were unreasonably thrust upon them prior to the 2013-14 season. Simply put, the 2013-14 freshman class will go down as one of the greatest ever, but not the greatest ever.
While the incoming class of NCAA freshmen isn’t nearly as highly-regarded or dazzling as their predecessors were, there is no shortage of young talent, and there a several freshman poised to make an immediate impact with their respective teams. Here are six college freshman to keep an eye out for on the court in 2013-14:
Six Freshmen to Watch in 2014-15
1. Jahlil Okafor, C, Duke
A 6-10, 270 lb. center with a game reminiscent of Tim Duncan’s, Jahlil Okafor is undoubtedly the most talented player in this class, and should have no trouble replacing Jabari Parker in Duke’s frontcourt. He is a dominant force on the inside, and possesses the ability to put points on the board in a variety of creative ways. An excellent rebounder and lethal scoring threat, Okafor’s presence alone will make the Blue Devils favorites to win the 2014-15 NCAA national championship game.
2. Cliff Alexander, F, Kansas
A big man from Chicago, Cliff Alexander should make an immediate impact in the low-post for the Jayhawks, where he excels as a scoring threat and a rebounder. While the 6-8, 240 lb forward lacks the length to be an effective rim protector, Alexander will definitely help Kansas cope with the momentous loss of seven-footer Joel Embiid.
3. Stanley Johnson, G/F, Arizona
Arguably the most NBA-ready prospect in this class, Stanley Johnson should have no problem making the Wildcats forget about the departed Aaron Gordon. A legitimate weapon on the offensive side of the ball, Johnson’s explosiveness and physicality will allow him to step in and immediately fill the scoring void for Arizona. At 6-7, 220 lbs., Johnson has the size to play both the two and the three spots, along with the mindset to use it to his advantage.
4. Myles Turner, C, Texas
Highly regarded as the No. 2 overall recruit coming out of high school, Myles Turner chose to attend the University of Texas over the likes of Duke, Kansas, and Oklahoma State. The seven-foot, 240 lb. center, who will bring size to a Longhorns squad that desperately lacked it last season, is a defensive force and elite shot blocker, and displays nice range on the offensive end of the court with the ability to knock down three-pointers. Easily the best recruit Texas has seen in quite a while, Turner could very well have a Kevin Durant-like impact in Austin.
5. Tyus Jones, G, Duke
The top overall point guard recruit in the nation, Tyus Jones came to Duke as a package deal with Jahlil Okafor. While the 6-1, 180-pounder definitely isn’t a physically imposing guard, he will be more than capable of running the Blue Devils’ offense as a freshman, whether it be in a starting role alongside returning senior Quinn Cook, or in providing valuable minute off the bench.
6. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky
Karl Anthony-Towns will be a crucial piece for a stacked team in Kentucky, joining Willie Cauley-Stein, Dakari Johnson, Alex Poythress, and Marcus Lee in what may be the best frontcourt in all of college basketball. A 6-11, 250 lb. center with the unique ability to play both inside and out, Towns’ dynamic versatility is nearly unheard of for someone of his size. While he will likely come off the bench as a freshman due to the sheer depth of the Wildcats’ frontcourt, he will make an tremendous impact on a team looking to make a deep run in next year’s NCAA Tournament.
For more on sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @tpriceLWOS. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main PHoto:
