The next generation of college basketball stars has arrived. The long-awaited arrival of one of the deepest recruiting classes in the modern era is headlined by someone who doesn’t need an introduction, which would be Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg — the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
For the ninth and 10th time in the 247Sports era, Duke and Rutgers each signed top-five players from the same recruiting class. Of course, Duke’s duo is Flagg and five-star big man Khaman Maluach, but for the first time in the modern era, a non-blue blood (Rutgers) signed two top-five ranked recruits: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.
Flagg, Bailey and Harper could all become top-five selections this summer. So could Baylor star guard VJ Edgecombe, the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle. Edgecombe already caught eyeballs this summer playing for the Bahamian National Team in the FIBA Olympic qualifying and has electrifying downhill speed that has drawn comparisons to current NBA guards Jalen Green and De’Aaron Fox.
Here are the 20 freshmen in college basketball expected to be the most impactful this season:
1. Cooper Flagg | G/F/ | Duke
Flagg is one of the most highly anticipated NBA Draft prospects of the 21st century, and for good reason. He is a two-way, three-level scorer capable of wrecking the game on both ends. Flagg can shoot, get to the rim, defend, facilitate and block shots. He possesses a killer-like instinct that will allow him to thrive in a high-pressure environment at Duke. Flagg was voted unanimously by our CBS Sports panel of voters to win preseason Freshman of the Year honors. “Tank for Flagg” could become a real thing in a couple of months for the player entrenched as the No. 1 NBA Draft prospect on Kyle Boone’s Big Board.
2. Ace Bailey | G/F | Rutgers
In Rutgers’ exhibition game against St. John’s earlier this month, Bailey’s ability to knock down tough and contested jumpers was on display. Bailey finished that game with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, and the tools that make him one of the top draft prospects were evident. Something that Bailey will have to improve on is getting to the rim. In the (small) sample size against college-level competition, Bailey settled for jumpers instead of driving to the basket. He’s a lengthy wing who can take his game to another level — and possibly even challenge Flagg for No. 1 — if he improves on that aspect. My early comp for Bailey is current Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.
3. Dylan Harper | G | Rutgers
Harper was tabbed the Big Ten preseason Freshman of the Year in the conference media poll and our expert picks at CBS Sports. The 6-foot-6 combo guard can do a little bit of everything — score, rebound, pass, and everything else in between. My colleague Isaac Trotter compared Harper to former Oklahoma State star Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Rutgers will go as far as Harper and Bailey take them.
4. VJ Edgecombe | G | Baylor
Edgecombe is one of my favorite players in this class. He shined this summer while playing for the Bahamian National Team and held his own against older and more experienced competition. He has a quick first step and is explosive in getting to the rim. Baylor coach Scott Drew has a strong track record of developing blue-chip prospects in recent years, and Edgecombe might be the best draft prospect in program history. Former Baylor standout Ekpe Udoh was drafted No. 6 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. There’s a strong possibility Edgecombe goes higher.
McNeeley is a plug-and-play shooter who will thrive at UConn under Dan Hurley because he has a high basketball IQ and can knock down shots in many ways. The Huskies lost most of their core to the NBA, which should give him ample opportunities to step in and fill a need. You can never have too much shooting on your team, and McNeeley should end up as one of the best in his class. McNeeley formerly signed with Indiana before signing his National Letter of Intent with UConn in late April.
Knueppel has received a ton of buzz in the months leading up to the season. Knueppel was Duke’s fourth-highest-ranked recruit behind Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Isaiah Evans but should be in contention to start. Knueppel will be one of the best shooters in the country and could play himself into a top-20 pick — similar to what former Duke star Jared McCain did during his lone collegiate season. Knueppel dropped 19 points in only 21 minutes in Duke’s exhibition game against Arizona State. It would be wise not to leave him open.
John Calipari has a history of developing guards into lottery picks during his time at Memphis and Kentucky. Fland is going to be next. Fland followed Calipari to Fayetteville after he left his post after 15 seasons at Kentucky. He should start in the backcourt next to former Kentucky guard DJ Wagner. The 6-foot-2 combo guard is a flashy player who can get a bucket whenever his team needs it.
Bethea steps onto campus as the highest-ranked signee in Miami program history. With Jim Larrañaga’s squad returning only three players who played significant minutes last season, Bethea will have an opportunity to step into an immediate role from Day 1. Bethea is a three-level scorer, but he’s particularly good at knocking down shots from beyond the arc. Bethea should be a lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Johnson should be one of the top contenders to win SEC Freshman of the Year. Johnson has received comparisons to former Texas great Kevin Durant because of their similarities as a three-level scorer. Texas coach Rodney Terry said earlier this month that Durant and Johnson are “cut from the same cloth” in terms of work ethic. Johnson reportedly had a dominant performance in a closed-door scrimmage against Colorado.
10. Derion Reid | F | Alabama
Reid might be ranked too low on this list because it’s underselling how key of a role he’s going to play on one of the top contenders to win the national title. Alabama’s scoring defense ranked near the bottom of the country last season and the additions of Reid and Rutgers transfer Cliff Omoruyi will help improve that side of the basketball. Reid can do a little bit of everything on both ends.
Ten more freshmen to watch
Egor Demin, BYU: Demin is a potential lottery pick who will play a key role for first-year coach Kevin Young. The 6-foot-8 wing out of Russia is a dark horse to win Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He should have the ball in his hands on most offensive possessions.
Jayden Quaintance, Arizona State: Quaintance will be one of the youngest players in college basketball. He isn’t eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft because of his age, so this should be a key developmental year for the 17-year-old. The former Kentucky signee will be a key player for Bobby Hurley.
Ian Jackson, North Carolina: The No. 8 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle by 247Sports is projected to start next to Elliot Cadeau and RJ Davis in the backcourt. Jackson will be a valuable defender for the ACC contender alongside fellow freshman Drake Powell.
Donnie Freeman, Syracuse: The No. 15 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle is a Day 1 starter for coach Adrian Autry. Freeman scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 20 minutes of action during Syracuse’s exhibition game earlier this month.
Will Riley, Illinois: Riley was an incredible shotmaker on the AAU circuit. Riley reclassified up to join Illinois for the 2024-25 campaign and will be one of the top dark horse contenders to win Big Ten Freshman of the Year alongside his teammate, Kasparas Jakucionis.
Derik Queen, Maryland: The third-ranked center in his recruiting class is a terrific post scorer with great footwork. He should fit perfectly in Maryland’s frontcourt next to veteran forward Julian Reese and if he adds a 3-point shot to his game, his stock will rise.
Karter Knox, Arkansas: The younger brother of former Kentucky forward Kevin Knox ll will be the second member of his family to play for Calipari. Knox was originally committed to Kentucky but flipped his commitment after Calipari bolted for Fayetteville. The younger Knox is a lethal catch-and-shoot threat from the 3-point line.
Khaman Maluach, Duke: Maluach turned heads this summer while playing against Team USA in an Olympic tune-up game. He was one of the youngest participants at the 2024 Paris Olympics this past summer, playing for the South Sudan National Team. Maluach is projected to play significant minutes at center for the Blue Devils.
Asa Newell, Georgia: Newell is one of the highest-ranked signees in Georgia program history, only behind current Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. At 6-foot-10, Newell is the ideal modern-day forward teams covet at the next level and is the star Georgia needs to return to the NCAA Tournament.
Labaron Philon, Alabama: USF transfer Chris Youngblood is recovering from ankle surgery until the start of SEC play, meaning there will be a hole in Alabama’s starting lineup. Philon should challenge for that spot because he can do the little things and is also complementary to star guard Mark Sears.
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