{"id":169676,"date":"2025-12-15T07:00:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T12:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=169676"},"modified":"2025-12-14T23:06:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T04:06:52","slug":"newcomers-in-the-big-ten-making-the-biggest-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/12\/15\/newcomers-in-the-big-ten-making-the-biggest-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Newcomers in the Big Ten Making the Biggest Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Big Ten has plenty of returning stars who are making a massive impact this season. But there are also plenty of Big Ten newcomers putting their names near the top of the conference. Obviously, when players like Braden Smith<\/a>, Nick Martinelli<\/a>, and Jaxon Kohler<\/a> returned to Purdue<\/a>, Northwestern, and Michigan State<\/a>, they were going to grab plenty of the headlines.<\/p>\n

While that is great, there are obviously newcomers to the Big Ten, both freshmen and transfers. So let’s take a closer look at the conference’s newcomers who are making the biggest impact.<\/p>\n

Newcomers in the Big Ten Making the Biggest Impact<\/h2>\n

The biggest players that stick out are Michigan’s very powerful transfer class. Whether it’s Yaxel Lendeborg<\/a>, who is currently averaging 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and nearly four assists per game. Not to mention he’s coming off a near triple-double<\/a> in the Wolverines<\/a>‘ win at Maryland: 29 points, eight rebounds and a career-high nine assists.<\/p>\n

From his efforts, combined with former North Carolina point guard Elliot Cadeau<\/a>, Lendeborg started to lead the charge on the floor. As is freshman Trey McKenney<\/a>, who is averaging 10 points in 20 minutes per game as a freshman, putting him amongst the best freshmen in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n

Freshmen from Around the Globe<\/h3>\n

This year’s crop of freshmen in the Big Ten has plenty of world flavor, and they aren’t disappointing. Washington’s Hannes Steinbach<\/a> and Illinois’ David Mirkovic<\/a> are certainly making a case for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In Mirkovic’s case, he’s already earned the weekly honor several times this season.<\/p>\n

European’s have a true presence in this conference.<\/p>\n

Tom Izzo Just Knows How to find Gems<\/h3>\n

For all the bashing Michigan State’s Tom Izzo gets for not making moves for big-time transfers, he knows how to find his kind of guys. That is no different this season, as both of his freshmen have made an impact in big moments.<\/p>\n

From Cam Ward<\/a> scoring 18 points against Arkansas on Nov. 8, to Jordan Scott<\/a> making plays in all facets of the game, both have made an impact and will continue to. While Ward has dealt with a sprained wrist, Scott has, in many ways, picked up the slack for the Spartans. As has transfer guard Divine Ugochukwu<\/a>, who had a career-high 23 points<\/a> in a tough road win at Penn State on Dec. 13.<\/p>\n