12 Instant Impact NCAA Freshmen

Every year, even some of the highest rated recruits coming out of HS have struggled to adjust to the speed of the college game. This season is no different as Top 20 rated prospects like Andre Drummond at UConn, Myck Kabongo at Texas, and James McAdoo of North Carolina have have had limited production due to either early struggles or lack of playing time. With that being said, there have been a number of individual standout players that have made an immediate impact for their squads.

Check out Twelve NCAA Freshmen Making an Instant Impact:

1) Cody Zeller, Indiana

#14 Rated Prospect

Team Record 6-0

14.8 ppg, 7.7 reb, 2.7 stl, 1.2 blk, .725 FG%, .726 FT%

Fans in Bloomington have been waiting seemingly forever for the youngest of the Zeller brothers to arrive on campus to give a kick start to coach Tom Crean’ rebuilding project. The 6‘11 and 225 lb forward/center has been every bit of what was expected and then some, providing the muscle down low to go along with the perimeter talents of Victor Oladipo, Jordan Hulls, and Will Sheehy. The former McDonald’s All American leads the Hoosiers in scoring, rebounding, FG%, steals, and blocks, while starting every game in the pivot. Although he’s a freshman, Zeller has the look and feel of a grown man as he has dominated the non-conference schedule to this point, now let’s see how he fares against the upcoming big men of Butler, Kentucky, and Ohio State.

2) Trey Burke, Michigan

#84 Rated Prospect

Team Record 5-1

11 ppg, 4.2 ast, 3 reb, 1 stl, .439 FG%, .318 3PT%

With last season’s star point guard Darius Morris leaving school early for the NBA Draft, coach John Beilein was in a quandary wondering who would be feeding the rock to one of the college ranks’ best scorers in Tim Hardaway Jr? Enter former Penn State commit Trey Burke, whom many felt was grossly undervalued being rated as only the 84th best HS prospect in the country. Burke’s early season impact has been phenomenal in helping the Wolverines win 5 of 6 games, including key wins against Memphis and UCLA during the Maui Invitational. Trey ranks 2nd on the Wolverines in scoring and leads the club in assists and steals.

3) Austin Rivers, Duke

#3 Rated Prospect

Team Record 7-0

14.4 ppg, 2.4 reb, 2.1 ast, 1.1 stl, .434 FG%, .375 3PT%

As the son of a former NBA player and current head coach, in addition to ranking as the HS ranks’ most potent offensive weapon entering the college ranks, a ton of pressure was immediately heaped upon Austin Rivers. In addition, Coach K was in dire need of instant offense heading into this season with 3 players(Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, and Kyrie Irving) all now playing in the NBA. Arguably, besides Seth Curry and Ryan Kelly’s increase in production, Austin’s near 15 ppg has been a necessity in helping Duke get off to an undefeated start to the season, including winning the Maui Invitational. Although he has struggled at times with turnovers and defense, Rivers undoubtedly can score and should rank among the ACC leaders by season’s end.

4) Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga

Not Rated

Team Record 4-0

15.8 ppg, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, .500 FG%, .591 3PT%, .818 FT%

Heading into the season, coach Mark Few and staff were wondering who would step up on the perimeter in absence of Matt Bouldin, Steven Gray, and Demetri Goodson now all gone due to graduation. Many thought the offensive load from the wings would come from senior Marquise Carter, sophomore David Stockton(son of John Stockton), or highly touted freshman Gary Bell Jr. To the Zags’ surprise, another freshman, Kevin Pangos, hailing from Canada, has stepped up and been a godsend running the point, even tieing Dan Dickau’s school record by knocking down 9 treys in one contest, enroute to an amazing 33 point, 6 assist effort in a win against Washington State. Pangos leads the team in assists, 3 point shooting, and FT%, and ranks 2nd in scoring.

5) Anthony Davis, Kentucky

#1 Rated Prospect

Team Record 6-0

12.7 ppg, 8.2 reb, 4.3 blk, 1.3 ast,1.3 stl, .714 FG%

After growing nearly 9 inches during high school, Davis went from a virtually unknown wing player to a dominant frontcourt juggernaut that had elite level Division I schools drooling for the services of the #1 rated prospect in the 2011 Class. If that wasn’t enough pressure, Davis made the choice to attend the University of Kentucky, universally known to have the most supportive, yet rabid fanbases in all of college basketball. Despite ranking only 3rd in team scoring, Davis has been remarkable, dare I say game-changing on the defensive end, averaging an unreal 4+ blocks per game. Although he needs to continue adding strength to a rather slim frame, Davis has proven to be every bit of the elite prospect Coach Cal has expected. Let’s just hope he sticks around Lexington longer than one season since he is already the projected #1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

6) Brad Beal, Florida

#5 Rated Prospect

Team Record 5-1

17 ppg, 6.5 reb, 2 ast, 1.2 stl, .500 FG%, .353 3PT%

As a freshman on arguably the deepest backcourt in the country, many wondered just how much playing time Beal would get playing alongside more established veteran players like Erving Walker, Kenny Boynton, Mike Rosario, and Scotty Wilbekin. Bradley has more than earned his 5 starts this season by ranking 2nd on the Gators in scoring and steals. What is equally impressive, other than his supreme ability to put the ball in the basket, has been his prowess for rebounding the basketball, grabbing 5 or more boards in 3 contests, including a double-double(12pts,10reb) vs North Florida. Look for Beal’s stats to continue to climb as Florida eases into the SEC schedule.

7) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

#4 Rated Prospect

Team Record – 6-0

12.5 ppg, 7.3 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.8 stl, 1.3 blk, .500 FG%, .333 3PT%

Even though it would be easy for an incoming freshman to be overshadowed on a Kentucky squad filled with future pros, Kidd-Gilchrist has so impressed the UK coaching staff that he has un-seated senior Darius Miller in the Wildcats’ starting line-up. And despite a rather un-polished offensive game, Gilchrist has played stellar defense and done whatever his team needs to secure another victory for Big Blue Nation. He should be deemed a stat stuffer as he ranks among team leaders in virtually every category, including grabbing 9 or more rebounds in all but two games this season. Similar to freshman teammates Davis and Teague, enjoy Kidd-Gilchrist while you can as he is already being projected as a potential Lottery pick in next year’s Draft.

8) Quincy Miller, Baylor

#7 Rated Prospect

Team Record 5-0

15.2 ppg, 5.6 reb, 2.4 ast, .442 FG%, .500 3PT%, .828 FT%

While there are high hopes on the Baylor campus, mainly because potential Lottery pick Perry Jones III has decided to return for his sophomore season, fans should be giddy that freshman Quincy Miller looks to be nearly 100% after missing his senior season in high school due to a devastating knee injury. Prior to the injury, Miller was regularly compared to NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant, a sentiment that may prove true if he continues to improve at the college level. Miller has been the Bears’ leading scorer in Jones’ absence, proving to be a stat stuffer, as evidence of his 17pt, 11reb, 6ast effort against Texas-Arlington. Pairing Miller alongside a returning Jones and Quincy Acy in the frontcourt could mean bad news for opposing Big 12 schools.

9) Chane Behenan, Louisville

# 28 Rated Prospect

Team Record 6-0

9.8 ppg, 8.7 reb, 1 blk, .512 FG%

Despite fellow elite level freshman Wayne Blackshear’s unfortunate injury that will force him to miss the entire season, Behenan has more than picked up the slack as a star frontcourt performer in coach Pitino’s scheme. Chane has taken over leading the team in rebounding with Terrence Jennings ill advised decision to declare for the NBA Draft and the frequent injuries to Jared Swopshire and Raheem Buckles. He already has two double-doubles to his credit and has registered at least one block in every game this season. Behenan, paired with elite level shot-blocker Gorgui Dieng, and coach Pitino may finally have the imposing frontcourt to make yet another Final Four run.

10) Dorian Finney-Smith, Virginia Tech

#18 Rated Prospect

Team Record 5-1

8 ppg, 10.3 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.2 blk, .385 3PT%

While many other of the ACC’s more highly touted incoming freshmen received more of the attention early on like Austin Rivers and James McAdoo, Finney-Smith has proven to be an elite level frontcourt player. He currently leads the conference in rebounding and perhaps more amazingly leads the Hokies in assists. Many compare Dorian to former Hokie great Ace Custis, a comparison much welcomed by the freshman forward, especially since Custis is one of only 3 Hokies to ever have their jerseys retired. Finney-Smith’s outstanding early production has helped overshadow the unfortunate injury to Marquis Rankin, a fellow prized freshman, and may just help Virginia Tech get back to the NCAA Tournament without having to sweat it out on Selection Sunday.

11) Tony Wroten Jr, Washington

#17 Rated Prospect

Team Record 4-1

12.8 ppg, 4.2 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.2 stl, .333 3PT%

Coach Lorenzo Romar has gone on record stating that Wroten Jr is the most talented incoming recruit he’s ever coached and even went as far as to compare him to all time NBA great Magic Johnson because of his imposing size at the PG position. Wroten’s transition from being an elite level HS star to prime time collegiate superstar has been a mixed bag. Despite struggling with turnovers and although he has mostly come off the bench, Tony has been the ultimate stat stuffer, as evidence of an impressive 14 point, 5 assist, and 6 steal effort in a win against Houston Baptist. Tony ranks 3rd on the Huskies in scoring and rebounding, 2nd in assists, and leads the club in steals.

12) Adonis Thomas, Memphis

#9 Rated Prospect

Team Record 3-2

10 ppg, 2.4 reb, 1.2 blk, 1 stl, .500 FG%, .455 3PT%, .875 FT%

Even though the Tigers had a rough stretch in the Maui Invitational, losing 2 of 3 games, freshman Adonis Thomas remains a consistent all around performer for coach Josh Pastner. He has been one of the first players the coach calls on off of the bench, providing scoring and rebounding, in addition to shooting 50% from the field, 40% from 3PT, and 80% from the line, all while committing under 2 turnovers per game. Adonis gives Memphis yet another elite level talent alongside the already potent Will Barton, Joe Jackson, Chris Crawford, and Tarik Black, making the Tigers the odds on favorite to win a Conference USA crown.

Honorable Mentions:

Lebryan Nash, OK State – 10.4 ppg, 4.4 reb, 1 ast

BJ Young, Arkansas – 13.8 ppg, 4.2 reb, 2.6 ast, .500 FG%, .389 3PT%

Marquis Teague, Kentucky – 11.7 ppg, 4 ast, 2.2 reb, 2 stl, .519 FG%

Rod Hood, Mississippi St – 13 ppg, 5.4 reb, 1.2 ast, .551 FG%, .433 3PT%

Darrun Hilliard, Villanova – 6.5 ppg, 4.2 reb, 1.5 ast, .565 FG%, .615 3PT%