Freshmen to Watch Out for this Season

Anthony Chiu
Nov 7, 2022
6 min read

Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Zion Williamson.

What do all of these elite basketball talents have in common?

All of them made a significant impact at the college level, as freshmen.

Their play after just one year of college basketball would lead to them walking up the stage to shake the NBA commissioner's hand.

While these players may be outliers, as they were all picked in the top five of their respective drafts, there are always several freshmen who hear their name called on draft night, whether it’s in the top ten, the lottery, the first round, or even the second round.

In the past five NBA drafts, an average of 13 freshmen were picked in the first round.

2022: 12

2021: 14

2020: 12

2019: 12

2018: 15

Although unproven, it’s a common belief among NBA fans and front offices, that younger players have greater untapped potential and due to their younger age, have more time to develop and grow. That’s the ultimate reason why NBA decision makers often choose college freshmen.

Beginning Monday, November 7th, there will be many opportunities for freshmen to demonstrate their talent to the college basketball world. Whether its players who were under the radar recruits, or heralded five star prospects, plenty of “diaper-dandies” will leave their mark on college basketball this season.

Here is a list of freshmen that I am high on and should make an instant impact on their college programs. These freshmen have a good chance to hear their names called come draft day in June, just nine months from the start of the college basketball season.

Gradey Dick:

Besides having one of the best names in college basketball, Gradey Dick is an outstanding basketball player.

Dick was a five star recruit and the 20th ranked player in the country, according to 247 Sports.

In a season where Dick shot 48.6% from three for Sunrise Christian Academy, Dick would go on to win the 2022 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year Award.

I get it, that’s what he’s supposed to do. He’s six foot eight and can shoot the lights out. Of course he’s going to dominate at the high school level.

Fair.

But, shooting isn’t something you lose when playing harder competition. And I’m fully confident Dick’s shooting ability will be able to translate to the college and pro level, even if not fully to where it was at the highschool level and expectedly so.

Head Coach Bill Self explained what makes Dick so special, “When it comes to shooting, this dude has no memory … He may miss 10 in a row, but he thinks he’s gonna make the next 10, and we need that.”

In Kansas’s exhibition game against Pittsburg State, Dick showcased just that, along with his amazing shot-making ability, shooting three for five from three and seven for nine overall from the field.

5-Star Gradey Dick Drops 20 PTS In First Game At Kansas | Full Highlights

The fact that Dick is already as good of a shooter as he is, combined with the fact that he is six foot eight, gives him a good shot at becoming a lottery pick. It’s a “wings league” and NBA teams are always going to be interested in a 6’8 player who is exceptional at scoring the ball.

“He may be a year away, but he’s not a year away from scoring a lot of points,” said Self.

Cam Whitmore:

Villanova hasn’t had a “one-and-done” player in 25 years. In today’s age of professional and college basketball, combined with the success Villanova’s program has had in recent years, that makes it all the even more impressive.

But, Cam Whitmore can change just that.

Whitmore was a heralded recruit coming out of high school. He was the fourteenth ranked player in the country according to 247 sports. He had offers from North Carolina, Miami, Illinois and many more, before deciding upon Villanova.

Whitmore participated in the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship for Team USA, where he averaged 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting 45.5% from three and 63% from the field.

“The difference in his offensive game is when he’s making three-point shots,” said Kyle Neptune, Villanova’s first year head coach. “That’s what he’s doing right now. When he’s on, he’s as gifted as anyone offensively.”

That’s high praise for a freshman.

Whitmore reminds me a lot of Jimmy Butler.

Whitmore stands at 6’7 and weighs 225 pounds.

Butler? 6’7, 230 lbs.

Quite the similarities.

Whitmore already has the frame of an NBA All-Star and has already demonstrated his impressive scoring ability. If he can put it together on the defensive end, which I am confident he will (especially at a program like Villanova), this makes him an extremely enticing prospect, who has the potential to become an elite 3-and-D player.

Whitmore will miss time due to a thumb injury, which he received surgery for in early October.

According to CBS Sports’ college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, there is no timetable for Whitmore’s return.

While having to wait for Whitmore’s return to the court sucks, it just makes the anticipation even greater for a special talent who should make a significant impact for the Villanova Wildcats.

Jett Howard:

Right now, Jett Howard is well known as Juwan Howard’s son. However, come season’s end, Jett Howard will be well known for his tremendous basketball ability.

Howard is an extremely gifted offensive player, who has all the makings to become a three level scorer not just at the college level, but at the next level as well. In 10 games in the high school circuit for IMG Academy last year, Howard shot 19 for 42 from three, an impressive 45.2%.

If Howard can continue to shoot the basketball at an impressive rate like he did in high school, he gives Michigan an added dimension to go along with the dominance of big-man and player of the year candidate, Hunter Dickinson.

Howard finished Michigan’s exhibition game against Ferris State with 30 points, shooting 10 for 12 from the field and six from eight from three. Howard also made all of his four free throw attempts on the night. Although it’s too early to jump to conclusions, Howard demonstrated how skilled he is on the offensive end.

Jett Howard Scores 30 Points In Michigan Debut | 6 THREES

Versatile, score-first combo guards are becoming popular among NBA rosters. Jordan Poole, Tyrese Maxey, Bones Hyland, and Immanuel Quickley just to name a few. All of these players have a unique ability to put the ball on the floor and create their own shot, all at an exceptional level. They have the ball handling abilities of a traditional point guard, but the scoring abilities of a traditional shooting guard. Their play styles get people out of their seats and bring added energy to the court with their ability to get hot at any second.

I can definitely see Howard stepping into this role once he gets to the league. There are definitely flashes in his game that remind me of those four players I mentioned above.

Jalen Hood-Schifino:

Jalen Hood-Schifino is not a name I would have had on this list a month ago. But, after watching some footage from Indiana’s two exhibition games, I came away very impressed with his play.

Hood-Schifino averaged 13 points, four rebounds and four and a half assists in two exhibition games for Indiana. He also shot 68.8% from the field and 60% from three.

Again, I take these stats with a grain of salt considering it is only preseason, but it is a very encouraging sign that Hood-Schifino is already producing at such a high rate.

When head coach Mike Woodson was asked about starting the freshman point guard during Indiana’s exhibition against Marian, Woodson said, “Jalen has earned the right to start. He’s put in the work.”

When I watch Hood-Schifino play, I am very impressed with his composure and for a team like Indiana, who has championship aspirations in a competitive Big Ten, having a point guard that will keep his composure becomes very important.

“He's competing. He competed when we first started five months ago and he's put himself in that position,” Woodson said.

I can see Hood-Schifino becoming an all-around point guard that consistently puts up high assist numbers at the next level.

Although very early, I am reminded of Andrew Nembhard when I watch Hood-Schifino play. Nembhard was one of my favorite players in all of college basketball the past few seasons, due to his ability to command the point guard spot for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and keep them afloat during their tournament runs. I also believe that is a skill NBA teams desire, the skill to never be too high or too low and to run the show effectively.

An NBA player that comes to mind that does all the little things right and is always never too high or too low is Mike Conley. If Hood-Schifino can become a Mike Conley-esque player, he will carve himself out a long career in the league.

There will be other freshmen who are not on this list who will have success this season, but I am confident that all of these guys will excel and produce at a high level.

Cheers to a new college basketball season.

Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Zion Williamson.

What do all of these elite basketball talents have in common?

All of them made a significant impact at the college level, as freshmen.

Their play after just one year of college basketball would lead to them walking up the stage to shake the NBA commissioner's hand.

While these players may be outliers, as they were all picked in the top five of their respective drafts, there are always several freshmen who hear their name called on draft night, whether it’s in the top ten, the lottery, the first round, or even the second round.

In the past five NBA drafts, an average of 13 freshmen were picked in the first round.

2022: 12

2021: 14

2020: 12

2019: 12

2018: 15

Although unproven, it’s a common belief among NBA fans and front offices, that younger players have greater untapped potential and due to their younger age, have more time to develop and grow. That’s the ultimate reason why NBA decision makers often choose college freshmen.

Here is a list of freshmen that I am high on and should make an instant impact on their college programs. These freshmen have a good chance to hear their names called come draft day in June, just nine months from the start of the college basketball season.

Gradey Dick:

Besides having one of the best names in college basketball, Gradey Dick is an outstanding basketball player.

Dick was a five star recruit and the 20th ranked player in the country, according to 247 Sports.

In a season where Dick shot 48.6% from three for Sunrise Christian Academy, Dick would go on to win the 2022 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year Award.

I get it, that’s what he’s supposed to do. He’s six foot eight and can shoot the lights out. Of course he’s going to dominate at the high school level.

Fair.

But, shooting isn’t something you lose when playing harder competition. And I’m fully confident Dick’s shooting ability will be able to translate to the college and pro level, even if not fully to where it was at the highschool level and expectedly so.

Head Coach Bill Self explained what makes Dick so special, “When it comes to shooting, this dude has no memory … He may miss 10 in a row, but he thinks he’s gonna make the next 10, and we need that.”

In Kansas’s exhibition game against Pittsburg State, Dick showcased just that, along with his amazing shot-making ability, shooting three for five from three and seven for nine overall from the field.

5-Star Gradey Dick Drops 20 PTS In First Game At Kansas | Full Highlights

The fact that Dick is already as good of a shooter as he is, combined with the fact that he is six foot eight, gives him a good shot at becoming a lottery pick. It’s a “wings league” and NBA teams are always going to be interested in a 6’8 player who is exceptional at scoring the ball.

“He may be a year away, but he’s not a year away from scoring a lot of points,” said Self.

Cam Whitmore:

Villanova hasn’t had a “one-and-done” player in 25 years. In today’s age of professional and college basketball, combined with the success Villanova’s program has had in recent years, that makes it all the even more impressive.

But, Cam Whitmore can change just that.

Whitmore was a heralded recruit coming out of high school. He was the fourteenth ranked player in the country according to 247 sports. He had offers from North Carolina, Miami, Illinois and many more, before deciding upon Villanova.

Whitmore participated in the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship for Team USA, where he averaged 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting 45.5% from three and 63% from the field.

“The difference in his offensive game is when he’s making three-point shots,” said Kyle Neptune, Villanova’s first year head coach. “That’s what he’s doing right now. When he’s on, he’s as gifted as anyone offensively.”

That’s high praise for a freshman.

Whitmore reminds me a lot of Jimmy Butler.

Whitmore stands at 6’7 and weighs 225 pounds.

Butler? 6’7, 230 lbs.

Quite the similarities.

Whitmore will miss time due to a thumb injury, which he received surgery for in early October.

According to CBS Sports’ college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, there is no timetable for Whitmore’s return.

While having to wait for Whitmore’s return to the court sucks, it just makes the anticipation even greater for a special talent who should make a significant impact for the Villanova Wildcats.

Jett Howard:

Right now, Jett Howard is well known as Juwan Howard’s son. However, come season’s end, Jett Howard will be well known for his tremendous basketball ability.

Howard is an extremely gifted offensive player, who has all the makings to become a three level scorer not just at the college level, but at the next level as well. In 10 games in the high school circuit for IMG Academy last year, Howard shot 19 for 42 from three, an impressive 45.2%.

If Howard can continue to shoot the basketball at an impressive rate like he did in high school, he gives Michigan an added dimension to go along with the dominance of big-man and player of the year candidate, Hunter Dickinson.

Jett Howard Scores 30 Points In Michigan Debut | 6 THREES

I can definitely see Howard stepping into this role once he gets to the league. There are definitely flashes in his game that remind me of those four players I mentioned above.

Jalen Hood-Schifino:

Jalen Hood-Schifino is not a name I would have had on this list a month ago. But, after watching some footage from Indiana’s two exhibition games, I came away very impressed with his play.

Hood-Schifino averaged 13 points, four rebounds and four and a half assists in two exhibition games for Indiana. He also shot 68.8% from the field and 60% from three.

Again, I take these stats with a grain of salt considering it is only preseason, but it is a very encouraging sign that Hood-Schifino is already producing at such a high rate.

When head coach Mike Woodson was asked about starting the freshman point guard during Indiana’s exhibition against Marian, Woodson said, “Jalen has earned the right to start. He’s put in the work.”

When I watch Hood-Schifino play, I am very impressed with his composure and for a team like Indiana, who has championship aspirations in a competitive Big Ten, having a point guard that will keep his composure becomes very important.

“He's competing. He competed when we first started five months ago and he's put himself in that position,” Woodson said.

I can see Hood-Schifino becoming an all-around point guard that consistently puts up high assist numbers at the next level.

An NBA player that comes to mind that does all the little things right and is always never too high or too low is Mike Conley. If Hood-Schifino can become a Mike Conley-esque player, he will carve himself out a long career in the league.

There will be other freshmen who are not on this list who will have success this season, but I am confident that all of these guys will excel and produce at a high level.

Cheers to a new college basketball season.

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