10 Breakout College Basketball Freshmen In 2024-25

Even in the age of the transfer portal, there are still some college basketball freshmen to keep an eye on for the 2024-25 season.

We all know the stars of this year’s college basketball freshmen class. Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, and Dylan Harper are the names to know. But after that, there are some 5-stars in awesome positions to take the country by storm.

There are also some lesser-known names that could be a surprise from day one, but eventually, will become household names in college basketball.

10. Elijah Moore, Syracuse

The biggest question mark about Moore’s freshman season is how much playing time will be available to him. Syracuse has a very deep roster and I see Moore coming off the end of the bench to start.

That’s not to say he can’t become an integral part of this team. There’s a great chance that his shooting and overall scoring abilities allow him to rise on the depth chart. He won the 2024 3-point shootout over a handful of other talented recruits and during his senior season had a 67-point outburst that included a whole bunch of threes.

Moore’s potential as a freshman will all come down to how much playing time is out there, but the skill speaks for itself.

9. Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn

Like Moore, I worry about how much court time Pettiford may see to start the season. He’ll be competing for backcourt minutes with JP Pegues, Denver Jones, and in a sense, Miles Kelly. That’s a lot of talent at point guard and on either wing, but Pettiford’s game is too hard to ignore.

The Auburn freshman is a highlight reel waiting to happen. He’s got bounce, some jaw-dropping moves, and isn’t afraid of the moment. And, he’s got Bruce Pearl coaching him. While there’s a chance this Auburn team isn’t the perfect fit, Pettiford may just be too exciting and talented for any coach – regardless of competition for minutes – to keep on the bench for too long.

8. Cam Scott, South Carolina

South Carolina has some solid depth on the wing, so at least to start the season, Scott might come off the bench. That’s also how our Gamecocks reporter George Bagwell sees it playing out.

But trust me in this – Scott will see a lot of playing time. He’s so naturally gifted as a scorer it makes you wonder why he’s not regarded as a 5-star recruit. I’ve got the feeling USC has a gem in Scott.

7. Boogie Fland, Arkansas

Look, we all know how many great transfers John Calipari got to come play at Arkansas but we also know how much he loves his freshmen and Fland is by far the most exciting and talented of this class.

Arkansas’ depth at forward is unbelievable – but in the backcourt, it’s Johnell Davis, DJ Wagner, and Fland.

After that, it’s anyone’s guess, and my guess is that Fland plays a very big role right out of the gates and will have the potential to become a top-scoring option on this Arkansas team by the time we hit the later months of the season.

6. Zoom Diallo, Washington

I can only imagine how awesome it could be to see the point guard-big man duo of Zoom Diallo and Great Osobor in action. Diallo is similar to Pettiford in the sense that he has some ankle-breaking moves and overall quickness.

However, his pull-up is what could really set him apart from other freshmen in college basketball. Diallo plays within himself, even if he does have the burst to go past defenders at times. And, he’s got the perfect name for a Division I point guard.

5. Jase Richardson, Michigan State

Tom Izzo didn’t care to go too crazy in the transfer portal and because of that, there isn’t a whole lot of experience at guard. In turn, that could allow Jase Richardson to start and see the ball often, even as early as November.

The son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, his game eerily resembles his father’s, with a more modern touch. Richardson has bounce – whether it be in transition or in the halfcourt game. He can hit shots from outside and plays with some pep in his step.

The Spartans have been hungry for some success and Richardson could deliver that.

4. Curtis Givens, LSU

Cooper Flagg and Asa Newell might have been the star names on Montverde last season but make no mistake – the offense ran through Givens and he’s going to give SEC teams headaches this season.

Givens is a 247Sports top 100 recruit and 4-star but his game is as smooth as any freshman guard in the country. He has an excellent perimeter game, cuts when he doesn’t have the ball, and makes some pretty crips passes. I’m not sure about the talent around him at LSU, but I do know that Givens is worthy of starting on this Tigers team.

3. Liam McNeeley, UConn

After losing so much talent from last year’s National Championship team, McNeeley seems to be in the perfect position to start from day one, learn from champions Alex Karaban, Solo Ball, and more, and eventually become one of the figured leaders of the 2024-25 UConn team.

The forward is a shooter – which should give the Huskies one of the best one-two shooting punches in the country with Karaban. He’s also just a great scorer – someone who hunts to find baskets and doesn’t shy away from tough defense. That’s one heck of a quality to have in the Big East.

2. Jalil Bethea, Miami-Fla

With Wooga Poplar, Bensley Joseph, and Kyshawn George all gone, the door opens for Bethea to step into a crucial role right away.

Nijel Pack figures to be the leader in the backcourt, and you shouldn’t overlook Stetson transfer Jalen Blackmon. But Bethea is a top-10 recruit according to 247Sports and he’s as electrifying as they come. Even in sharing a backcourt with two other talented upperclassmen, there’s an argument to be made that Bethea is the best scorer on this Miami roster.

Don’t be surprised if, by the end of the year, he’s the college basketball freshman everyone is talking about.

1. Derik Queen, Maryland

Kevin Willard worked with the likes of Angel Delgado and Romaro Gill at Seton Hall so having a 5-star prospect in Derik Queen should be music to his ears.

Plus, Queen could legitimately be one of the major focuses on offense by game one. Jahmir Young and Donta Scott’s college basketball careers are over, leaving Julian Reese as the only returning double-digit scorer. That could also free up Queen as Reese is a tough guard in the post in his own right. The table is set for Queen to feast like a king.