Freshmen Stars
As we near the half-way point of the men’s college basketball season, several freshmen have started to emerge from the rough. Some, like Cooper Flagg, were expected to shine but most stat leaders and impact players will surprise you.
Dylan Harper; Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Although ranked as the third best High-School player in 2024, no one expected Dylan Harper to be shooting the rock as well as he has been to start his collegiate career. He averages 22.8 PPG, fourth best in the nation as well as 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. If Harper can maintain his hot streak he would be the second freshman EVER to average 20, 5 and 5, the first being Kenny Anderson in 1989/90.
Dylan Harper isn’t a stranger to making history either- in a recent win against Columbia the Knight put up 11 rebounds, 12 assists and 16 points, marking Rutgers first triple-double since 1983. He’s also a shooter, scoring 35+ points on several occasions and shooting 52.5% from the field.
Ace Bailey
A fellow Knight and second highest raked High-School Player in 2024, Ace Bailey has had a stellar season as well. Although overshadowed by his teammate’s historical season, the 18 year-old is averaging a solid 18.2 PPG and 7.6 RPG.
Despite the stats, Rutgers is unranked with some real bad losses due to the young age of their key players. Expect Rutgers to be a formidable foe in years to come.
Cooper Flagg; Duke Blue Devils
Ever since the footage of Cooper Flagg playing against America’s 2024 Men’s NBA Team hit the internet, the Blue Devil has been labeled as the unanimous No. 1 pick for the 2025 NBA Draft and favorite for Freshman of the Year. Flagg has certainly had a good year, averaging 16.9 PPG and 8.2 RPG although it hasn’t lived up to the hype that surrounded him preseason.
He’s currently shooting 43.8% from the field and 27% from three which could be improved upon but his potential as a triple threat on the offensive side, in the paint, at midrange and from three, is what makes him special.
Special players don’t just put up good stats but make winning plays that decisively impact games. Cooper Flagg has been that guy, even as a freshman. Duke sits in the four hole in the AP Top-25 poll with impressive wins against Auburn(No. 2) and Arizona(No. 17).
Tre Johnson; Texas Longhorns
Another esteemed High-School hooper, Tre Johnson has made a name for himself in his first year at the University of Texas, leading his team in scoring with 19.7 PPG.
Touted as the sixth best high-school player in 2024, Johnson’s bag is deep. He has excellent footwork within the paint and can make well-defended shots; contested fade ways, deep pull-up threes, tough finishes at the rim- all moves within his ability.
Texas has one of the hardest schedules in the league and with a stacked SEC Conference, it will be hard for the Longhorns to succeed this year. Tre Johnson will have to keep up his high-level play for them to have a shot at a playoff birth.
Jeremiah Fears; Oklahoma Sooners
Another young buck worth mentioning is freshman Jeremiah Fears, an unranked high-school recruit out of Joliet, IL. Fears is averaging 18.1 PPG and nearly 5 APG but Jeremiah’s biggest impact has been the winning mentality he brings to each game. His best games have been against the Sooner’s hardest opponents: 30 points versus Michigan(No.24) and 26 against Arizona(No.24).
Currently sitting at 13-0 and ranked the twelfth best team in the nation, OU is off to their best start in program history due to players like Jerimiah Fears.
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