Rising Stars of the Court: Unveiling the Compelling Freshmen to Watch in the 2023-24 College Basketball Season, Featuring Kentucky’s DJ Wagner and Duke’s Jared McCain
The landscape of collegiate basketball competition is evolving into an era of special talents and basketball skills that will level up the spirit of transformation into higher rivalries. The top players took center stage and were given due recognition in basketball.
Reshaping College Basketball: The Evolving Impact of Freshmen in a Shifting Landscape
Amidst the evolving dynamics of college basketball, where the transfer portal and “super seniors” altered the landscape, the prominence of freshmen dwindled in recent years. While the era of immediate “one and done” stardom akin to Duke’s 2015 national championship is fading, there remains a significant role for the budding talents in the sport.
Paradoxically, the reduced spotlight on freshmen elevates those who manage to stand out. In the 2022-23 season, two standout forwards, Alabama’s Brandon Miller and Duke’s Kyle Filipowski, captured attention. Miller propelled the Crimson Tide to their inaugural No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and secured the second spot in the NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Filipowski contributed to Duke’s conquest of an ACC Tournament title and opted to return, fortifying the Blue Devils for another campaign.
As anticipation shifts to the upcoming 2023-24 season, the focus now turns to the incoming freshman class. In this edition of the “Dribble Handoff,” our writers unveil their selections for the most captivating freshmen to watch as the new season unfolds.
DJ Wagner, Kentucky Wildcats
At The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis, where I spent my first year assisting Zack McMillan on the University of Memphis basketball beat during the 2001–02 season, was when my professional career officially began. The entrance of five-star freshman Dajuan Wagner, who was predicted to become John Calipari’s Tigers Final Four contender, was the season’s high point. My greatest anticipation right now, as I prepare to start my 23rd season of covering the sport, is to see Dajuan Wagner’s son, DJ Wagner, play for the same coach at a different school.
Isaiah Collier, USC Trojans
“USC’s Hidden Ace Dominating the Freshman Rankings”
Chances are, you might not know that the USC Trojans boast the standout freshman at the helm. Unless you’re a dedicated USC enthusiast or an aficionado of year-round college basketball recruiting. In an unusual twist, it’s been quite some time since the premier talent in a high school graduating class has evaded the spotlight to this degree.
Part of this underwhelming recognition can be attributed to the perceived mediocrity of the 2023 class, deemed one of the least impressive in the last ten years. Yet, another facet overshadows the name of this rising star: the presence of USC’s other emerging sensation, Bronny James. With James’ collegiate future hanging in uncertainty following a recent cardiac incident (encouragingly, he was spotted publicly at a Drake event a few days ago), the responsibilities on the court will likely rest even more heavily on Collier’s shoulders than initially anticipated.
Nonetheless, Collier boasts an astute playing style and a remarkable skill set, making him a potential game-changer for the Trojans. In their final season in the Pac-12, he could very well be the key to transforming USC into a formidable contender. Should he synchronize his growth with seasoned talent Boogie Ellis, USC might unleash one of the most electrifying backcourts in college basketball.
Justin Edwards, Kentucky Wildcats
The Rising Star of the 2023 Class Poised to Ignite the 2024 NBA Draft
Ranked at an impressive No. 2 spot in the 2023 class by 247Sports, Edwards is undoubtedly my top pick as I gear up for the 2024 NBA Draft. What I’ve witnessed from his brief stint with Kentucky has intensified my anticipation of his performance donning the Big Blue jersey.
Throughout Kentucky’s expedition to Canada, Edwards unveiled a level of talent that positions him as a potential frontrunner in the wide-open 2024 draft class. His blend of size, athleticism, scoring prowess, and playmaking ability from the wing role seized attention, projecting him as a possible alpha figure for Kentucky’s rejuvenated and youthful roster.
Edwards has consistently exhibited his lethal left-handed scoring finesse across all tiers of play. However, his multifaceted contributions could propel the UK towards an unforgettable season if he can demonstrate an additional facet by maintaining a 35% success rate from beyond the arc.
Ranked at an impressive No. 2 spot in the 2023 class by 247Sports, Edwards is undoubtedly my top pick as I gear up for the 2024 NBA Draft. What I’ve witnessed from his brief stint with Kentucky has intensified my anticipation of his performance donning the Big Blue jersey.
Throughout Kentucky’s expedition to Canada, Edwards unveiled a level of talent that positions him as a potential frontrunner in the wide-open 2024 draft class. His blend of size, athleticism, scoring prowess, and playmaking ability from the wing role seized attention, projecting him as a possible alpha figure for Kentucky’s rejuvenated and youthful roster.
Edwards has consistently exhibited his lethal left-handed scoring finesse across all tiers of play. However, his multifaceted contributions could propel the UK towards an unforgettable season if he can demonstrate an additional facet by maintaining a 35% success rate from beyond the arc.
Aday Mara, UCLA Bruins
“Embracing Fresh Faces and the Quest for Renewal in the 2023-24 Season”
The spotlight has firmly fixed on Kentucky’s reliance on freshmen for the forthcoming 2023-24 season. However, a formidable contender for the crown of the most freshman-driven team in the nation emerges in the form of UCLA. The departure of well-seasoned veterans such as Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez, Jaylen Clark, and David Singleton, who have exhausted their eligibility, sets the stage for a year of rebuilding for the Bruins. In response to this transformation, UCLA has welcomed seven fresh talents into their ranks, an endeavor that includes four international prospects added in the latter stages of the recruiting cycle. Among this assembly, Mara stands out as the most captivating figure.
Standing tall at 7 feet 3 inches, this Spanish prodigy at the tender age of 18 has kindled conversations as a potential selection for the 2024 NBA lottery. Despite his youth, the lanky build that defines him, and the queries surrounding the competition he has encountered thus far, Mara maintains an air of intrigue. His performance statistics of 14 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game throughout Spain’s participation in the FIBA U18 European Championships this past summer offer a solid basis for optimism.
Should Coach Mick Cronin master the art of harnessing Mara’s towering presence alongside the returning center Adem Bona, the Bruins could metamorphose into a formidable adversary, inducing matchup nightmares for their opponents.
Jared McCain, Duke Blue Devils
Emerging Jewel of Duke’s Studded Class: McCain’s Path to Impact in the 2023 Season
McCain is the highest-ranked prospect within Duke’s constellation of stars in the heralded 2023 recruiting lineup. While his immediate entry into the starting lineup might not be assured, given the return of seasoned guards Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor, McCain’s probable positioning as the inaugural or secondary option off the bench for a preseason top-five team is palpable.
With a true specialty in spot-up shooting and an adept ability to stretch the floor, McCain’s versatility as a combo guard is evident. Although his inclination leans more toward a two-guard role than a conventional point guard, his adeptness in playmaking shone during his formative years. Notably, boasting a substantial social media following exceeding 2 million on TikTok, he seamlessly aligns with the illustrious Duke image that thrives in the public eye. Yet, beneath the veneer of social media stardom lies a profoundly skilled basketball player, poised to potentially make a significant impact within a program striving to rekindle its quest for a Final Four appearance, last accomplished in 2015.
