Dribble Handoff: Kentucky’s DJ Wagner, Duke’s Jared McCain among college basketball’s most intriguing freshmen

rewrite this content material with complete duration and stay HTML tags Between the switch portal giving coaches an street to land confirmed manufacturers and the upward push of “super seniors” armed with an additional yr of eligibility because of the 2020-21 pandemic, the affect of freshmen in college basketball has waned during the last few years. But even supposing the not-so-distant “one and done” glory days of Duke’s 2015 nationwide name are evaporating, there’s nonetheless a spot for the diaper dandies in college basketball. If anything else, fewer freshmen within the highlight makes those who do organize to polish appear specifically particular. Among those that popped within the 2022-23 season had been a couple of forwards in Alabama’ Brandon Miller and Duke’s Kyle Filipowski. Miller led the Crimson Tide to their first-ever No. 1 seed within the NCAA Tournament and turned into the No. 2 pick out within the NBA Draft. Filipowski helped Duke win an ACC Tournament name and selected to go back to anchor the Blue Devils once more this season.As we flip our consideration to the 2023-24 season, it is time to take a excellent glance this yr’s incoming freshman magnificence. For this week’s version of the dribble handoff, our writers are figuring out which freshman they’re most excited to observe within the season forward.DJ Wagner, KentuckyMy skilled profession began at The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis, the place I spent my first yr serving to Zack McMillan at the University of Memphis basketball beat all through the 2001-02 season. That yr used to be highlighted through the arriving of a five-star freshman named Dajuan Wagner, who used to be anticipated to make John Calipari’s Tigers Final Four contenders. Now, as I am getting able to start my twenty third season overlaying the game, I’m most excited to observe Dajuan’s son, DJ Wagner, play for a similar trainer at a unique faculty. Time flies and all that.It is odd to succeed in the age the place I’m now writing concerning the kids of athletes I in the past lined. It’s a reminder that I’m no longer the up-and-coming no matter that I was. But it is usually cool to be on this place. I’m at the verge of looking at a third-generation McDonald’s All-American perhaps emerge as the center-piece of a Kentucky crew projected to compete on the peak of the SEC. More than 20 years in the past, Dajuan Wagner used to be meant to go back Calipari to nationwide prominence after he used to be fired through the Nets. For plenty of causes, that didn’t determine. Now, it is Dajuan Wagner Jr. who has a possibility to assist get Calipari to the Final Four for the primary time since 2015. And I will’t wait to observe him check out it. — Gary ParrishIsaiah Collier, USCAre you even conscious that the Trojans have the top-ranked freshman? Probably no longer, except you are a USC fan or any person who follows college basketball recruiting twelve months a yr. It’s been a very long time because the No. 1 participant in a highschool magnificence used to be flying beneath the radar this a lot. That’s partly since the 2023 magnificence is seen as one of the most weakest up to now decade, however it is usually as a result of Collier’s identify is overshadowed through fellow USC novice Bronny James. With James’ college profession unsure after he suffered a cardiac arrest previous this month (he used to be noticed in public at a Drake display a couple of days in the past, which is a pleasing construction), Collier will raise much more on-court burdens than anticipated. But he is a heady participant with an ideal set of abilities who may flip the Trojans right into a contender of their ultimate yr of the Pac-12. If he grows along veteran Boogie Ellis, USC may box one of the most most electrical backcourts in college hoops.  — Matt Norlander Justin Edwards, KentuckyEdwards is the No. 2 within the 2023 magnificence in step with 247Sports. That makes him a very easy pick out for me as I prep for the 2024 NBA Draft. What he confirmed in his transient time already at Kentucky has me much more pumped to observe him enjoying for Big Blue.During Kentucky’s travel to Canada, Edwards flashed the skill stage of a long term No. 1 pick out in a wide-open 2024 magnificence. His aggregate of measurement, athleticism, scoring and playmaking from the wing place popped in some way that made him seem like the prospective alpha of Kentucky’s younger and remade roster. Edwards has all the time been a deadly lefty who can rating it from each and every stage, but when he can show off the ones abilities and shoot, say, 35% from 3-point vary on peak of the entirety else he brings to the desk, he would possibly be capable to dragging UK to a memorable season. — Kyle Boone Aday Mara, UCLAKentucky’s reliance on freshmen for the 2023-24 season is a well-established storyline at this level. But UCLA will problem the Wildcats for the name of most freshman-dependent crew within the nation. With well-established veteran avid gamers like Tyger Campbell, Jaime Jaquez, Jaylen Clark and David Singleton in any case out of eligibility, this has the makings of a rebuilding season for the Bruins. To assist with that rebuild, the Bruins signed seven freshemen, together with 4 global potentialities who got here alongside past due within the recruiting cycle. Of the bunch, Mara is the most intriguing.The 7-foot-3 Spaniard is simply 18 and is garnering buzz as a possible 2024 NBA lottery pick out. Still, he stays moderately mysterious because of his age, gangly body and the questionable festival stage he is confronted all through his younger profession. Nonetheless, a line of 14 issues, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a couple of.7 blocks in line with contest all through Spain’s seven video games within the FIBA U18 European Championships this summer season supply considerable reason why for optimism. If trainer Mick Cronin can work out the best way to maximize Mara’s huge body along returning heart Adem Bona, it might make UCLA a matchup nightmare.  — David Cobb Jared McCain, DukeMcCain is the highest-ranked participant from Duke’s star-studded 2023 recruiting magnificence. He would possibly not get started instantly since the Blue Devils have two veteran guards returning in Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor, however it is very most likely he is the primary or 2nd participant off the bench for a preseason top-five crew. He’s a real spot-up shooter and an ideal ground spacer as a combo guard. McCain is extra of a two-guard than a real level, however his playmaking talent used to be on show all through his prep profession. Already a social media famous person with over 2 million fans on TikTook, he suits in completely with the high-profile Duke symbol. But remove the social media status and you have got an excessively, superb basketball participant that has a possibility to give a contribution to a program taking a look to succeed in the Final Four for the primary time since 2015. — Cameron Salerno 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