The college basketball slate kicks off properly on Nov. 6, which means NBA scouting departments are gearing up for another prospect evaluation marathon. While several international and domestic prospects have already made their mark in the early stages of the 2024 NBA Draft cycle, the picture doesn't start to develop until the college season begins.
Last season, a number of top prospects hailed from outside the college ranks — Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, the Thompson twins. There could be parallels in 2024 with so many interesting names peppering the G-League Ignite roster, not to mention the NBL's Rising Star program. But, unlike last season, there's a far more balanced crop of talent at the top. There's still something to be said for competing at the highest level of college basketball, and several incoming freshmen should have a chance to make their case for a spot as high as No. 1 next June.
With the season almost upon us, here are 10 incoming freshman who merit your attention, with many more sure to emerge as the year progresses.
Berke Buyuktuncel played professionally in Turkey and should be more than ready for college basketball in the States. He's an extremely fundamental player, which should appeal to his UCLA coaches and NBA scouts alike. At 6-foot-9, Buyuktuncel's combination of positional size, shooting touch, and basketball IQ makes him a natural prospect to watch.
He projects as a modern NBA forward — a versatile screener who can pop, drive, or pass on the move. He doesn't possess outlier athleticism, but Buyuktuncel finishes with enough craft and force around the rim to proceed confidently at the next level. Behind the 3-point line, he's a potent spot-up threat. Inside the arc, he's an effective high-post passing hub who sees the floor well from every angle.
He won't lock all windows and doors on defense, but he keeps his head on the swivel and operates well within a team construct. He does his job and won't be the source of off-ball breakdowns.
Elliot Cadeau will have to overcome the stigma of his measurements (6-foot-1, 165 pounds) but he figures to have a bright spotlight at North Carolina. He doesn't have the same cachet as Cole Anthony, for example, but Cadeau will quickly win over fans with inventive passes and nifty finishes.
Equal parts explosive and controlled, Cadeau shakes defenders with his stop-start handles and rapid acceleration. He can finish among the trees better than most players his size and he makes every passing read. He will fire cross-court skip passes just as comfortably as he threads the needle to a rolling big. The 3-point shot is a mild concern — he'll at least have to prove it at UNC — but the foundation of a quality NBA point guard is there.
Feel and playmaking creativity can go a long way in the NBA. It's a tough era for small guards, and it won't get easier, but Cadeau has a seriously high ceiling tied to his passing chops and ball-handling skill.
There is obvious reason for caution when projecting Bronny James' NBA Draft stock. He suffered a terrifying cardiac arrest before the season. Every NBA team will do their due diligence, and the primary concern is James' long-term health. That said, he is cleared to play for the Trojans this season. Assuming he gets the green light from NBA doctors, his professional prospects are strong.
Remove the LeBron factor for a moment, and the slightly absurd idea that James Sr. might leave Los Angeles to join whichever team selects James Jr. (it's not out of the question!). Bronny should stand up to scrutiny as a prospect without the nepotism angle. Sure, part of it is being the direct descendent of the greatest basketball player in modern history and an all-time genius in the sport, but James is also a great guard defender, a potent 3-point shooter, and a quick processor in his own right.
He's not an on-ball engine like his father, but James connects dots with his rapid-fire passing and spaces the floor with impressive shot versatility beyond the arc. That, combined with heads-up defense, screams NBA role player.
Kentucky has a history of leaning on freshmen, often in misfitted roles, before those players go on to experience great success in more suitable basketball ecosystems at the next level. Justin Edwards is the next great Kentucky wing, at least on paper. He's an explosive 6-foot-7 athlete who will pepper the SC Top 10 with highlight dunks. He also has a pretty lefty jumper that should, in time, stretch comfortably behind the 3-point line.
Edwards isn't the most advanced self-creator, but he showcases extremely promising feel off the ball. He cuts regularly and frequently explodes downhill off the catch. He can make himself available as a backdoor lob threat and he projects as a quality DHO operator in the years to come.
On defense, Edwards puts in the effort and is generally rewarded. He's a threat for the occasional weak-side block and he should comfortably defend a few different positions at the next level.
Kentucky guards have their own legacy at this point. No matter how funky the college numbers look, what John Calipari does there seems to translate to the next level. Maybe he simply attracts the best players, but D.J. Wagner figures to receive ample leniency within the Wildcats' offense. He's going to get a chance to prove his mettle in front of packed stadiums and NBA scouts on a weekly basis.
At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, there are natural concerns tied to Wagner's slight frame. He should make up for such concerns with sheer athleticism and craft. He's a handful off the dribble, expertly blending speeds and directional changes to leave his defenders grasping at air. He gets low, explodes past the point of attack, and frequently finishes with flair at the rim. Not many small guards can match Wagner's rim finishing.
He will need to boost his shooting numbers and defensive profile at UK, but Wagner has serious offensive hub potential if he can reach the necessary levels of efficiency and well-roundedness.
Elmarko Jackson will battle for minutes with a deep and veteran Kansas roster, but he figures to see a healthy amount of reps. He's only 6-foot-3, but Jackson can leap out of the gym and he's strongly built at 195 pounds. His hands are everywhere on the defensive end, which can ignite fast break opportunities, where Jackson shines.
The foundation is equally strong on offense. Jackson doesn't necessarily project as a natural point guard, but he's a bullish rim finisher who is unafraid to embrace contact, a huge positive when projecting a player's ceiling at the next level. Jackson looks comfortable shooting out to the 3-point line, which is potent in combination with his explosive first step and shifty handles.
Jackson is fairly comfortable on or off the ball. If he can make a noticeable leap in the passing department, scouts are going to peg him as a legitimate top-5 candidate.
Ja'Kobe Walter faces a potential minutes crunch at Baylor, but he has the talent to pop anyway. At 6-foot-5, he's a strong and bursty athlete with the shot-making chops to wow NBA scouts. Walter operates with extreme poise and confidence. That can sometimes be to his detriment — shot selection is the glaring red flag of his draft cycle — but for the most part, Walter impresses with smooth pull-up jumpers and passing flashes.
He won't spend much time as the sole on-ball creator at Baylor, but Walter shows the ability to manipulate defenders with changes in speed. He has a nice package of moves to generate space, deploying side-steps and step-backs before elevating into a pretty pull-up. He makes some impressive playmaking reads as well and there's serious slashing upside tied to his burst and strength.
If Walter can get more comfortable working out of pick-and-rolls and running the show as a primary ball-handler, teams will line up around the block. As of now, he profiles more as an off-guard who can heat up quickly and wreak havoc attacking off the catch.
With Jordan Hawkins departing for the NBA, a sizable role opens up in the UConn backcourt for freshman Stephon Castle. He's a different kind of two-guard — Hawkins mastered movement shooting, while Castle operates more in the combo guard vein — but he is well positioned for success on a competitive Huskies team.
At 6-foot-6, Castle's positional size is the initial draw for NBA teams. He's built strong, and he deploys that strength with extreme effectiveness on finishes at the rim. He isn't the twitchiest guard athlete in the lottery conversation, but Castle understands how to play with pace. He breaks out concise hesitations and crossovers, shifting gears to keep defenders off balance and open up lanes to the rim. His passing feel, combined with a silky 3-point shot, is the cherry on top.
What positions Castle as a genuine No. 1 pick underdog, however, is the defense. He's tuned-in to that side of the ball, making excellent use of his physical tools and constantly eviscerating passing lanes with his activity level.
Aday Mara (along with aforementioned teammate Berke Buyuktuncel) are going through some difficult eligibility trials with the NCAA, but it's hard to imagine Mara getting knocked off NBA radars. The 7-foot-3 Spaniard, even in a league infused with more size and skill than ever, is an absolutely massive human. He's not a stiff either, possessing nimble feet on defense and an under-appreciated breadth of skill on offense.
It's ridiculous to have such eligibility nonsense still happening in college basketball in the NIL era, but such is life. Hopefully Mara is allowed to play. He should immediately become one of college basketball's most dominant rim protectors, expertly navigating drop coverage and using his 7-foot-7 wingspan to deter even the bravest scorers. Mara also profiles as an elite rebounder. On offense, he will finish everything within arm's reach of the rim. What really pops, however, are his passing chops in the high post.
Mara's season could start with some NCAA-mandated ugliness, but he's a genuine top-5 candidate for teams in need of an interior anchor.
Isaiah Collier will lead the charge for a flashy USC freshman class. He's 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, built with broad shoulders to bulldoze defenders en route to the rim. Collier is a shifty ball-handler, capable of tip-toeing through tight spaces or simply embracing physicality on drives. He doesn't shoot the cleanest 3-ball — probably the biggest hangup for interested NBA parties — but Collier is comfortable hitting tough in-between shots inside the arc, so there's reason to believe the touch will eventually translate.
In addition to the scoring chops, Collier makes every pass in the book. He operates with extreme poise and confidence, never getting sped up or looking out of control. NBA teams may want to bet on a more reliable 3-point shooter, but if those numbers come around even a little bit in college, Collier is going to profile comfortably as the best 'true' point guard in the draft.
He puts his physical gifts to use on defense, too. Collier can guard players several inches taller due to his rugged strength at the point of attack. He's a two-way playmaker, and he should have ample runway to showcase his talents for the Trojans.
