Baylor’s Robert Wright IIISam Hodde/Getty Photos
V.J. Edgecombe, Baylor (11.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.4 SPG, 1.3 BPG)
Robert Wright III, Baylor (12.9 PPG, 5.4 APG, 2.1 RPG, 46.4% 3PT)
Whereas not fairly on the identical degree of final 12 months’s Kentucky duo of Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, Baylor’s dynamic duo of first-year phenoms has been placing in work. Wright scored 22 within the loss at UConn (by which Edgecombe did not play) and had 13 dimes final week towards Norfolk State. Edgecombe put up 20 within the loss to Tennessee and has been a rim-rattling stat-sheet stuffer. Had we ranked extra than simply 10, these Bears may need been Nos. 11 and 12.
Jayden Quaintance, Arizona State (8.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.4 BPG, 2.1 APG, 1.5 SPG)
The Solar Devils are nonetheless determining how you can greatest make the most of Quaintance on offense, maxing out at 14 factors in a recreation to this point. He has been a relentless pressure within the paint, although, with a number of blocks in all 10 video games, in addition to 60 rebounds over his final six contests. He is already fairly good and may actually degree up his recreation sooner or later within the subsequent few weeks.
Egor Demin, BYU (13.3 PPG, 5.8 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 38.4% 3PT)
Demin averaged 15.2 factors, 7.2 assists and a couple of.4 steals whereas capturing 56.5 % from downtown in BYU’s first 5 video games, all at residence towards groups with no at-large potential. Nevertheless, he tapered off significantly within the three subsequent video games towards major-conference opponents (10.0 PPG, 3.3 APG, 12.5% 3PT) earlier than lacking the previous two video games with a knee harm. Thus, we’re holding him outdoors the highest 10 for now. With these first 4 honorable mentions, although, the race for Large 12 Freshman of the Yr goes to be sensational.
Will Riley, Illinois (13.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 37.5% 3PT)
Tomislav Ivisic, Illinois (14.2 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.1 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 34.8% 3PT)
As a result of he performed professionally in Croatia earlier than touchdown at Illinois, Ivisic was docked a 12 months of eligibility and is *technically* a sophomore so far as the NCAA is anxious. However the first-year huge man has been a double-double machine, whereas Riley has averaged higher than 22 factors per 40 minutes off the bench. Each are robust Freshman of the Yr candidates, although not as robust because the third member of that class who we’ll get to later.
Thomas Sorber, Georgetown (15.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 BPG, 1.4 SPG)
That is simply essentially the most ‘out of left area’ participant among the many 20 right here, as Sorber was neither a 5-star recruit neither is Georgetown significantly related. The Hoyas do already look a complete lot higher than the previous three years, although, and Sorber—who entered Wednesday’s recreation towards Creighton main the crew in factors, rebounds and blocks—has been an enormous a part of their ascension again into the KenPom high 100.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn (10.7 PPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 43.6% 3PT)
A key reserve for the most effective crew within the nation, Pettiford scored 20 towards Duke and 21 within the win over Houston, rising to the event in huge moments. He is held again a bit in these early rankings by solely taking part in 20 minutes per recreation, however he may simply be a high candidate if each he and Auburn proceed to shine.
Kon Knueppel, Duke (11.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.9 APG, 32.2% 3PT)
Respectable stats/play right here, however Knueppel has gone 6-for-32 (18.8 %) from three-point vary in Duke’s 5 video games towards main convention foes. Between that and the truth that it is onerous to carry a candle to what teammate Cooper Flagg is doing, simply an honorable point out for now.
Labaron Philon, Alabama (11.5 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG)
On Mark Sears’ notorious scoreless night time towards Illinois, Philon had a monster efficiency, going for 16 factors, 9 assists and 7 rebounds because the Crimson Tide received 100-87. That alone nearly bought him into the highest 10. However his mixed 5 factors, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 7 turnovers within the subsequent two video games towards Houston and Rutgers introduced him again to earth a bit.
