The 2013-14 freshman class is loaded -- and despite what those in Lexington might say, those freshmen don’t all wear Kentucky Wildcats jerseys.
The talent is so significant throughout the nation that we have opted to implement a weekly feature this season: the Freshman Tracker.
It will be a way to follow the best first-year players throughout the season. We’ll have updates on how they did on the floor, with quotes from those who saw them over the week (i.e. NBA executives, college coaches, scouts, analysts).
With many of these guys making their college debuts this weekend, here’s the first edition of the Freshman Tracker, looking at the 10 freshmen who likely will have the biggest impact on college basketball this season. Again, this is NOT a ranking of their status as NBA prospects, it's a ranking of performance. That said, let's get started.
1. Julius Randle, PF, Kentucky Wildcats
6-foot-9, 250 pounds
The Texas native is a big, strong power forward who is capable of dominating in the paint, but also has the ability to step out and make shots from the perimeter. Expect him to emerge as the most consistent and productive Kentucky player this season because of his high motor. He’s a potential double-double guy every night, and is a difficult matchup because of his strength, athleticism and versatility.
“He’s a very physical, aggressive force," an NBA executive said. "He must improve his perimeter shooting and diversify his post moves, but he will definitely challenge for the No. 1 draft spot.”
2. Andrew Wiggins, SF, Kansas Jayhawks
6-8, 200 pounds
He has been on all the magazine covers in the preseason and some even put him in the same sentence as LeBron James. From what I've seen and heard, I don't think he's on that level, but he is exceptionally gifted. The long and athletic Canadian can be one of the top defenders in the country this season. The keys for Wiggins will playing hard all the time (instead of picking his spots) and making shots from the perimeter. His numbers may not be eye-popping, but he’ll affect the game on both ends and is the front-runner to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick come June.
“He makes things look so easy at times, but disappears too often," an NBA source said. "If I had to bet on one player to be taken with the No. 1 pick, I’d take him. He makes plays that no one else can, but drifts for long stretches. He should be a very good defender in time, but isn’t yet. He needs to improve his outside shot, but he’s a high-level athlete.”
3. Jabari Parker, F, Duke Blue Devils
6-8, 235 pounds
The skilled forward was once considered the prize of this recruiting class prior to a foot injury that sidelined him two summers ago and Wiggins reclassifying into the 2013 class. Parker is more athletic than people give him credit for, but his skill level and basketball IQ are what stand out about the Chicago native. Parker can score from deep, midrange and also in the post -- and he’s also a quality passer.
“He may have as much of an impact as any freshmen in the country because of his feel for the game," an NBA executive said. "I wouldn’t count him out for the No. 1 pick, either. He can do just about everything on the court, and my guess is [Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] will go to him when the game is on the line because he can do so many things. He’s so versatile and doesn’t really have any weaknesses.”
4. Aaron Gordon, F, Arizona Wildcats
6-9, 225 pounds
Think of a cross between Blake Griffin and Kawhi Leonard. The younger brother of former New Mexico standout Drew Gordon is a big-time athlete and plays exceptionally hard. The question, however, is whether he can be effective at small forward for Sean Miller and the Wildcats. Gordon will need to prove he can make shots from the perimeter and defend smaller wings. Regardless, Gordon will still have a major impact in Tucson, and NBA guys will have him near the top of their boards because of his athleticism and relentlessness.
“He never stops. He outworks everyone on the court at both ends on top of having a great base of skills," an NBA executive said. "He is a threat to score inside, outside and everywhere in between. His future is very bright at the NBA level because he understands the effort and work ethic it takes to be good.”
5. Andrew Harrison, PG, Kentucky Wildcats
6-6, 215 pounds
He’s in the mold of the big, strong point guards who John Calipari has had success with over the years. Harrison isn’t ultra-athletic like Derrick Rose, but he's athletic enough and will be tough to stop in transition because of his size and aggressiveness. The key for Harrison is being able to lead the team and also make sure everyone is happy, because there are plenty of mouths to feed.
“He isn’t as vocal as maybe you would like, but he's a big, physical point guard who can bully smaller players [with his size and strength]," an NBA executive said. "He seems to need to learn how to bring a team together and lead, but Cal will help him with that. He'll need to improve his shooting and balance scoring and playmaking this season.”
6. James Young, SG, Kentucky Wildcats
6-6, 215 pounds
The Michigan native is a big-time scorer who can shoot it from deep and also get to the basket and finish. He’s a lefty, and nearly every NBA guy I have spoken to has raved about him thus far in the preseason. Young may be as vital to the team's success as anyone on the team because of his ability to score in a variety of ways. The question, though, will be how Calipari utilizes both Young and fellow freshman wing Aaron Harrison (Andrew's twin brother).
"He’s smooth and shoots it better off the dribble than I thought," an NBA source said. "He really knows how to play in the right spots and understands the game. He's long and he isn't a terrific athlete, but he's good enough in that area. He does everything well, but nothing spectacular."
7. Tyler Ennis, PG, Syracuse Orange
6-2, 180 pounds
Jim Boeheim will go from the length and uncertainty of Michael Carter-Williams to Ennis, who is solid but won’t be nearly as spectacular as his predecessor at the point guard position. Ennis is a Canadian who looks to pass first and score later. He will be given the ball from the get-go, and will deliver crisp passes and quietly lead the Orange to plenty of wins. MCW and Ennis are different, but there won’t be much drop-off at the position.
"He's probably a four-year kid, but I really like him," an NBA executive said. "He's got a great demeanor and he just knows how to run the team. I worry about whether he's athletic enough to play at our level, but he should be a really good college player and one of the best pure points in the country."
8. Rysheed Jordan, PG, St. John's Red Storm
6-4, 185 pounds
The Philly native is quick, strong and explosive. He can really penetrate and both score and create for his teammates. He'll just need to work on making quality decisions. The other aspect where Jordan has a chance to affect the game is on the defensive end. He has plenty of talent around him at St. John's, so the key for him will be consistency and making sure he takes care of the ball. Steve Lavin compared Jordan to former Stanford star and NBA point guard Brevin Knight because of his passing ability.
"He will be the key to their season," said an NBA source. "He has all the physical tools of an elite point guard. How he balances the job of scoring and distributing the ball will determine how good St. John's will be this season."
9. Wayne Selden, SG, Kansas Jayhawks
6-5, 230 pounds
I've seen him play for years and never realized he was such a gifted passer. Selden always has been able to use his strength to overpower guys, but he has become a much better shooter over the past season and he's extremely competitive. The Boston native has a well-rounded game, and also has the toughness that Bill Self loves. Expect Selden to have a major role on this team, one that could even include being the go-to guy down the stretch of games because of his ability to create his own shot and make quality decisions with the ball in his hands.
"He is a bad man: tough, strong, good passer, good shooter," an NBA executive said. "It'll be interesting to see what kind of impact he has for that team with all that talent on the floor, but he's certainly a guy that will be a factor. The question is whether he stays in Lawrence for more than a year."
10. Sindarius Thornwell, G, South Carolina Gamecocks
6-5, 205 pounds
I’m not sure how good Frank Martin’s team will be this season, but look for Thornwell to put up numbers. He has got some Marcus Smart in him in terms of the toughness and intangibles. He's not a knockdown shooter, but he's big and strong and will play both backcourt spots for Martin.
"He's a big, strong guard with an attacking style," ESPN RecruitingNation's Paul Biancardi said. "He looks to get to the rim and finish, especially in transition. In the halfcourt, he gets into the paint and scores with strength and body control. His outside jumper is streaky, but it has range beyond the arc. He can be the face of the program."