Top 10 College Basketball Freshmen Heading Into February

The college basketball freshmen class of 2024-25 was one that was highly talked about with the amount talent hitting the collegiate ranks.

Some of the class have made an immediate impact on their teams and draft stocks. After more than two-thirds of the season finished, it’s time to list the top 10 college basketball freshmen. This list is based mainly on play but there’s no denying some players’ draft stock. Most of them, if not all of them, will be playing the NBA in the near future.

1. F, Cooper Flagg, Duke

Cooper Flagg is the front-runner for ACC Player of the Year. He leads #2 Duke in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and minutes. Flagg is tied for first in steals with teammate Maliq Brown. He is averaging 20.0 points with 8.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Flagg is also averaging 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks.

He had a 42-point performance against Notre Dame on Jan. 11 where you could see the immense potential that has people enamored. We all know about Flagg’s length and athleticism, but he is a good rebounder and willing passer which will do wonders for him in his development moving forward. Flagg has winning traits all around and it’s hard to see any team passing up to take him first overall in the draft. Once he can develop his perimeter shot to be a more constant threat, he’ll be a very hard man to guard.

2. G, Dylan Harper, Rutgers

With the hype surrounding Ace Bailey, people can tend to forget that Dylan Harper is just as good. Harper is averaging 18.6 points with 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

Harper is shifty and crafty and has the potential to be a true three-level scorer. Harper plays under control, gets to his spots, and makes opposing defenders pay. It’s virtually impossible to guard him one-on-one. He finished well in transition and has a great feel for the game. Many people think Harper as a freshman has already solidified himself as the best point guards in the country.

3. G, Tre Johnson, Texas

Johnson is averaging 19.0 points for Texas and is probably the best pure scorer to step foot on the Texas campus since Kevin Durant. Johnson can create and make shots with the best of them and very well may be the best shot-maker in all of college basketball. Johnson can score from all three levels.

He is shooting 45.0% from the floor, 88.6% from the free throw line, and 37.7 from 3-point range. Johnson could very well become a 50-40-90 guy in the league and not many people are talented enough offensively to do that. Johnson, however, has all the tools to do this and more. He could make an immediate impact on some NBA teams right now. He can shoot off the dribble or spot up with his size at 6’6, the sky is the limit.

4. G, Ace Bailey, Rutgers

Although Rutgers has been underwhelming, Ace Bailey has not. Bailey is leading Rutgers in points and rebounds at 20.2 and 7.8 respectively.

At 6’10, Bailey knows how to use his size to his ability on the offensive end. He has one of the most polished offensive games for college basketball freshmen in the country. Bailey is shooting 46.8% from the floor and 38.5% from 3-point range. There’s not much Bailey can’t do offensively with his size and shooting ability.

There’s also not much wasted movement when Bailey starts attacking. Recently, Northwestern learned that the hard way when Bailey torched them for 37 points. The biggest thing Bailey will need to work on moving forward is his facilitating and his free throw shooting as he sits just at 67.4% from the charity stripe. His role at Rutgers is not to be a playmaker but a scoring threat but will be called upon at times in the NBA. Bailey will easily be a top three pick in the draft.

5. G, Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois

Kasparas Jakucionis is a leading Illinois in points and assists at 15.6 and 5.5. He is also grabbing 5.7 rebounds per game and averaging just over 1 steal per game. Jakucionis’s shooting splits sit at 47.0% from the field, 83.5% from the charity stripe, and 35.0% from 3-point land, just barely missing that 40-50-90 mark.

Jakucionis makes Illinois go, he’s the engine. He is a very good passer and is by far the best facilitator on the team. Jakucionis has that patent step-back which is about as good as anybody in the country. He may not look like one of the fastest players on the court, but his quick first step allows him to beat plenty of defenders off the dribble. Once Jakucionis gets downhill, he is a very good decision maker.

6. C, Derik Queen, Maryland

Derik Queen busted on the collegiate scene with a 22-point, 2o-rebound game in his first college game. Maryland sits at 17-5 on the year and you can attest a good portion of that to Queen.

Queen is averaging 15.0 points on 53.4% from the floor which is good for first and second on the team. Queen is also second in rebounds at 8.3.

He can finish well around the rim and can be a force down in the paint on the glass. Queen’s footwork helps him get to his sports down low where it can be hard to stop him at that point. At 6’10, he’s not the tallest or biggest center but plays well above his height and weight. Queen has a chance to be one of the best post players to put on a Maryland uniform.

7. F, Asa Newell, Georgia

Asa Newell has a very high chance of being a lottery pick. He has good size and really good movement at his position. Newell can stretch the floor with his ability to hit the three. He also has good touch around the rim and can be a good alley-ooop threat.

On the season Newell is averaging 15.2 points with 7.0 rebounds on 55.0% from the floor. His stature and movements on the court remind you of Derick Lively. Newell’s blocks numbers aren’t high but it’s not for the lack of trying.  He has six games with two blocks or higher. He is a capable shot blocker and his stock will only continue to rise.

8. G, Boogie Fland, Arkansas

Boogie Fland is averaging 15.1 points with 5.7 assists with 1.5 steals as he fills the stat sheet for coach John Calipairi’s team.

Fland’s thumb injury may have halted his hot start to his freshman campaign but he still deserves a spot on the list. Fland is a respectable shooter and is a good decision maker with the ball in his hand. Fland is the best facilitator on the team and knows how to set his team for good looks.

In January, he still led all college basketball freshmen in assist-to-turnover ratio and ranked first in the SEC. Fland was also leading all freshmen in assists per game. He is great pat laying passing lanes and has good defensive instincts.

9. G, Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma

Jeremiah Fears has good handles and gets downhill in the paint where he can be a problem. Fears is athletic and a good shot-maker around the rim because he doesn’t back down from contact. He can hit the three and is a good passer.

Fears is averaging 15.9 points with 4.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds.  His 30-point performance against Michigan earlier this year was spectacular.

Fears has a knack for finding the ball on the defensive side as he is nearly averaging two steals a contest. Fears played a big part in Oklahoma’s 13-0 start to begin the year.

10. F, Donnie Freeman, Syracuse

Donnie Freeman has missed the last seven games for Syracuse and his presence with that team is immensely missed. Donnie is a skillful offensive forward. Although he hasn’t stepped foot on the court in nearly a month, he is still Syracuse’s second-leading scorer averaging 13.4 points.

He has the ability to get to his spots and consistently knock down the midrange jumper. Freeman is a capable 3-point shooter with improvement coming the more he works on the shot. In his last game played Freeman finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds on 60% shooting from the floor. Freeman is a good rebounder and led all college basketball freshmen in double-doubles at the time of his injury.