The narrative round faculty basketball’s freshman class facilities on one participant coming into the 2024-25 season. That participant is Duke’s Cooper Flagg, who can be simply 17 years previous when the Blue Devils start a brand new marketing campaign on Nov. 4 towards Maine, which is Flagg’s home-state faculty.
Although he will not even be sufficiently old to vote in November’s presidential election, Flagg is bearing the load of a traditionally proud program on his again after rating because the No. 1 general prospect within the Class of 2024. The Blue Devils’ hopes of successful an ACC regular-season title for the primary time since coach Mike Krzyewski’s last season in 2022 experience largely on the hopes of what Flagg might be.
And not using a single sport of school basketball beneath his belt, the 6-foot-9 ahead is already projected to be the No. 1 general decide within the 2025 NBA Draft, and it will likely be no shock when he begins displaying up on preseason All-American lists. However he isn’t going to be the one high-impact freshman in faculty basketball this season.
In reality, there are 5 further top-40 freshmen on Duke’s roster past Flagg. In the meantime, five-star abilities and potential NBA Draft lottery picks dot the rosters of different groups across the nation. For this week’s Dribble Handoff, our writers are selecting the gamers they assume are most definitely to problem Flagg for Freshman of the Yr in faculty basketball, although after all the award can be Flagg’s to lose.
Keep in mind when RJ Barrett was the highest-ranked prospect in Duke’s 2018 recruiting class — however then Zion Williamson, his less-heralded teammate, gained Nationwide Freshman of the Yr? Keep in mind when Justin Edwards was the highest-ranked prospect in Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class — however then Reed Sheppard, his less-heralded teammate, gained Nationwide Freshman of the Yr?
One thing related might occur at Rutgers this season.
Ace Bailey is technically the highest-ranked prospect within the Scarlet Knight’s 2024 recruiting class — nevertheless it’s not loopy to assume that Harper, his (barely) less-heralded teammate, might emerge as the most important challenger to Flagg for Nationwide Freshman of the Yr honors. The son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper is a 6-foot-6 guard with a 6-10 wingspan who can play on or off the ball. Over the previous 12 months, he is reportedly added muscle and improved in a wide range of methods, a lot in order that it is affordable to imagine Rutgers simply would possibly spend the winter competing for what can be its first Massive Ten championship. — Gary Parrish
Ace Bailey, Rutgers
This one’s a protracted shot as a result of Bailey’s acquired one other elite prospect coming in with him. Harper would be the flooring common for the Scarlet Knights this season, with Bailey as his ultra-athletic operating mate. Harper ranked No. 3 within the class of 2024. No. 2? That’d be Bailey, a lean 6-7 wing who has unimaginable hops, can be a plus-defender and will be capable of be a dependable mid-range shooter with out a lot delay in his first few weeks of D-I play.
Whereas Harper can be a key facilitator on probably the most attention-grabbing Rutgers group — perhaps ever — Bailey might be the man who manages to common north of 15 factors as a freshman, doing so in a wide range of methods. This RU group goes to be actually intriguing, and it’d shock me if Bailey does not land on the quick checklist of most must-watch gamers nationally by the point we get to Christmas. — Matt Norlander
Kasparas Jakučionis, Illinois
Jakučionis is not the top-ranked participant in his personal recruiting class, a lot much less within the 2024 class, however Illinois has a superb one on the way in which with him primed to make noise as a ready-made producer subsequent season. The Lithuanian 18-year-old has dimension, talent and a deadly scoring capacity that ought to match him completely in Brad Underwood’s offensive ecosystem, and alternative can be aplenty for him on this scenario.
The Illini’s high 4 scorers from final season — together with All-American Terrence Shannon Jr. — are all off to the professionals, which means he may very well be referred to as upon early and infrequently because the group reloads. With Arizona switch Kylan Boswell possible dealing with the brunt of the playmaking duties, Jakučionis is a enjoyable group slot in a enjoyable system that ought to marry his finest traits as a participant with Underwood’s finest traits as a coach to ship him from comparatively unknown prospect into family identify territory by season’s finish. — Kyle Boone
Jalil Bethea, Miami
Miami returns perimeter gamers Nijel Pack and Matthew Cleveland, however neither are licensed bucket-getters like Bethea. Ranked the No. 7 general prospect within the class, Bethea was considered “probably the greatest scoring guards and shot-makers within the nation this 12 months,” per 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein. That makes him a pleasant slot in a Miami system that has been at its finest with a high-scoring lead guard lately.
The ‘Canes reached the Last 4 in 2023 with Isaiah Wong main the way in which at 16.2 factors per sport and went 26-11 the 12 months earlier than with Kim McGusty averaging 17.8 factors. Bethea is Miami’s highest-ranked basketball dedication of the 247Sports period, and the early returns from his time on campus have been encouraging. Search for him to flourish as a freshman. — David Cobb
V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor
I am on file in April (earlier than Edgecombe balled out on the Bahamas Nationwide Crew) that he was my favourite NBA Draft prospect on this class exterior of Flagg. That perception could not be stronger heading into the season primarily based on what I noticed this summer season. Edgecombe has drawn some comparisons to gamers reminiscent of Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox and Houston Rockets guard Jalen Inexperienced due to his quickness and elite athleticism. Edgecombe might be extra of an SG/off-ball guard within the NBA, however how he assaults the rim is enjoyable to observe.
Baylor coach Scott Drew has a powerful observe file of growing first-round expertise lately (Davion Mitchell, Jeremy Sochan, Keyonte George, Yves Missi and Ja’Kobe Walter to call a number of) and there is a sturdy chance that Edgecombe would be the highest-drafted participant of the bunch. My official prediction: he has such a powerful freshman season in a Baylor uniform that he will get drafted No. 2 within the 2025 NBA Draft behind Flagg. — Cameron Salerno