Top 20 college basketball freshmen for 2023-24: Stephon Castle, Isaiah Collier and more

Top 20 college basketball freshmen for 2023-24: Stephon Castle, Isaiah Collier and more

Tobias Bass
Oct 19, 2023

Although some scouts have expressed concerns about the overall quality of the 2023 recruiting class, numerous freshmen are poised to deliver outstanding performances and contribute significantly to their teams’ success.

Within the 2023 class, there’s a treasure trove of hidden gems and emerging talents who demand your attention. Here, I present the top 20 freshmen you absolutely can’t afford to miss:

1. Stephon Castle| 6-foot-6 combo guard | UConn

I have been following Castle’s career since he was 15, and seeing all his success isn’t surprising. The 215-pound guard from Newton High School in Covington, Ga., is a jack-of-all-trades prospect who can play both guard spots and will be given the keys to succeed from the get-go. He is very talented with a big sturdy frame that will excel at scoring around the rim, defending and facilitating. It will be interesting to see how dynamic the pick-and-roll between Castle and future NBA draftee Donovan Clingan could be. His jump shot is streaky, but he will make shots as the season goes along. With what he does well and how he impacts the game, Castle will be the best freshman in the Big East. The defending national champions won’t take a big step back with graduate guard Tristen Newton and Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer in the backcourt alongside five star-studded incoming freshmen, including Solomon Ball, who will also be an X-factor for the Huskies. 

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2. Ja’Kobe Walter | 6-5 shooting guard | Baylor

Baylor does very well with guards; over the past four years, the Bears have had four get drafted, two in the first round. Walter will be the next. A year ago, Keyonte George was the star freshman in Waco, bringing home Big 12 Freshman of the Year and second-team All-Big 12 honors. Although Walters isn’t a lock to repeat that success, he has a very good chance to have just as big an impact as George if not exceed those expectations. Walter is a lights-out shooter who can put up big numbers when he’s on his “A” game. About 55 percent of George’s shot attempts were from 3-point range last season, and he only made 33.8 percent of them. If Walter shoots as many times, he could make around 36 to 37 percent of those shots as he is a much better catch-and-shoot prospect. What will help Walter have a successful season is the veteran guards around him like Toledo transfer RayJ Dennis, who is a natural floor general who led the MAC in assists (5.8), and VCU transfer guard Jayden Nunn, who will take some of the pressure off the McDonald’s All-American. Dennis puts a ton of pressure on opposing defenses that will leave Walter often wide open. This pairing is a match made in heaven. Also, Bears fans should watch out for freshman guard Miro Little. He should play impactful minutes early and be a piece in Baylor’s aggressive three-guard lineups. This summer he played five games for the Finnish National team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, averaging 5.0 points and 4.6 assists in 17.5 minutes per game.

3. Isaiah Collier | 6-4 point guard | USC

Collier is one of the best passers I’ve seen. His understanding of where everyone is on the floor, where they should be, and how he needs to thread the needle for his teammates to score is generational. The Trojans haven’t had a point guard like this in some time, if ever, and he will be a rock star from day one. It’s easy to see why many NBA mock drafts have the McDonald’s All-American going in the lottery. This could be the best the Pac-12 has been in over a decade despite this being the league’s last year of existence, thanks to its potential tournament teams, incoming transfers and star-studded freshmen led by Collier. The Trojans also signed Collier’s high school teammate, Arrinten Page. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound forward is a big-time athlete who will be used as a shot blocker, rebounder and lob threat to work in the pick-and-roll with Collier. The Georgia natives already have great chemistry, and I look forward to seeing it on full display as the Trojans try to win the conference for the first time since 1985.

4. Sam Walters | 6-9 forward | Alabama 

Walters might be the most underrated prospect on this list, but he will play a role in the Crimson Tide’s success this season. The 6-foot-10, 198-pound forward has a unique skill set that consists of being a better athlete than given credit for with an ability to stretch the floor from 3. And he is more than capable of putting the ball on the floor and creating his shot. He is very similar to star transfer Grant Nelson from a versatility standpoint and will learn a lot from him, which will pay dividends long term. Through the summer and early fall, Walters was the Tide’s best freshman and one of their best pure offensive players. His game on offense comes so naturally, and with Bama’s lack of experience in the frontcourt, he could earn around 20 minutes per game. Nate Oates added West Virginia transfer Mohamed Wague, who only played 10.6 minutes per game last season. Nick Pringle returned to Tuscaloosa, but the other frontcourt players who are expected to earn minutes are all freshmen, including four-star Jarin Stevenson, who reclassified this summer. At the bare minimum, Walters could be used as a floor-spacer and knock-down shooter in pick-and-pop situations.

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5. Jaland Lowe | 6-3 point guard | Pittsburgh

Pitt was one of the surprise teams in the college basketball world last season, as the Panthers were predicted to finish 13th in the ACC but finished fourth and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. This season, the Panthers have the most talented backcourt in Jeff Capel’s tenor with a pair of four-star guards Jaland Lowe and Carlton Carrington. Lowe had arguably the best summer of any prospect in the 2023 class, as he went from a three-star recruit with a handful of offers to finishing with 14 offers and rounding out his high school career as the No. 82 prospect according to the 247Sports Composite. The Panthers only added one guard via the transfer portal — Ishmael Leggett from Rhode Island — so both Lowe and Carrington will have to play a good amount of minutes. Both freshmen can play either guard spot, and I’m excited to see how they develop and play alongside one another. Both have good size, see the floor well, and can score the ball. They are also coaches’ sons and have been prepared for moments like this. There will be bumps in the road for these two, but by the year’s end, they will be seen as one of the best freshmen backcourts in the country.

6. Caleb Foster | 6-5 combo guard | Duke 

The Blue Devils are loaded with the No. 2 recruiting class coming in and a whopping 81 percent of their scoring returning, including a few future NBAers in Tyrese Proctor and Kyle Filipowski. Despite the recruiting rankings, Caleb Foster is Duke’s best freshman, and in due time that will show. What he does well, you can’t teach. He is a 6-5 combo guard who can read defenses, shoot it from deep and facilitate in the pick-and-roll. He was by far the biggest snub in last year’s McDonald’s All-American game, and he will come in this season with a major chip on his shoulder. In addition, future Hall of Famer Steph Curry is a big fan of Foster, and they often train together during the summers. I’d be remiss to not talk about Duke’s McDonald’s All-Americans Jared McCain and Sean Stewart. I’m not sure what’s more impressive, McCain’s TikTok following or his jump shot. For the sake of this story, let’s talk about his offensive skill set. McCain will be an excellent shotmaker and playmaker at the next level. He can be a primary ballhandler, has a C.J. McCollum style and will be a fan favorite. As for Sean Stewart, he’s an elite athlete and has the highest standing vertical in Duke history at 36 inches (yes, higher than Zion Williamson). Luckily for all these freshmen, including five-star TJ Power, they have a veteran at their positions they can learn from in the short and long term. The hype is real behind this Duke team. 

7. Aden Holloway | 6-1 point guard | Auburn 

The job Auburn has done with guards 6-foot-2 or shorter is remarkable, and you won’t find a better fit than Holloway and the Tigers system. Holloway is the highest-ranked point guard Bruce Pearl has signed at Auburn alongside Sharife Cooper and has the opportunity to be the best. Over the past few years, the Tigers have needed stability at the point guard spot from a facilitation standpoint, and Holloway will do just that. He’s one of my top college-ready point guards in the 2023 recruiting class. You could argue he is the most poised freshman PG in the country, and Pearl will hand over the keys to his offense to the McDonald’s All-American. Letting Holloway run the offense will allow KD Johnson to play more off-ball and focus on scoring and will create more opportunities for Johni Broome to be the future NBAer he’s supposed to be. Broome and Holloway’s 1-2 punch will be a lot of fun and will be hard for teams to stop. Auburn also added Florida International transfer Denver Jones, who should pair nicely alongside his roommate Holloway. Remember, Pearl lets his guards go. Holloway should be a star in his offense.

8. Jackson Shelstad | 6-0 point guard | Oregon

Like Collier and Holloway, Shelstad is ready to make an immediate impact from the point guard spot. He’s a younger version of Ducks legend Payton Pritchard. He’s steady, excellent in the pick-and-roll, a vocal leader and can make shots anywhere on the floor. He was slightly overlooked in this Oregon recruiting class behind two McDonald’s All-Americans in Kwame Evans and Mookie Cook, but Shelstad is the glue to hold it all together. Shelstad will be big-time, but he’s not alone. The Ducks brought back 53.8 percent of their scoring (sixth in the Pac-12), including their top two leading scorers N’Faly Dante and Jermaine Couisnard. This isn’t a situation where Shelstad will be asked to save the Ducks, who haven’t made the tournament since 2021, but instead, be a connector at point guard spot to help them win games. He will do just that and more in Oregon’s final season in the Pac-12. 

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9. Garwey Dual | 6-5 guard| Providence 

The first time I saw Dual play was four years ago at a camp in Houston, and I wondered, who is this skinny kid with long arms who has a real game? No one watched him or paid him any mind. Come to find out he was on the third team of his AAU program and had recently been cut. I told myself, that kid can play and will land on his feet, and he did just that. Within six months to a year, he grew a few inches, moved to Indiana and became a top-75 recruit in the country. Who would have thought that skinny, long-armed kid with great feel would finish as the No. 38 prospect in the country and a potential lottery pick? Dual’s play will be a big factor in how good the Friars will be. He is a tough, versatile defender who will be used as a primary playmaker in Kim English’s offense. At 6-5, he can see over opposing defenses and get to his spots with ease. If he plays and impacts the game the way I know he can, he won’t be in Rhode Island long.

10. Elmarko Jackson | 6-3 guard | Kansas

Every year, Kansas has at least one star freshman who contributes right away and gets drafted. Jackson has a chance to be next in line. Depth may be an issue for the Jayhawks, but their potential starting five of DaJuan Harris Jr., Jackson, Kevin McCullar Jr., KJ Adams and Hunter Dickinson is one of the best in the country. Kansas typically runs multi-guard lineups, and playing alongside one of the best passers in Harris, Jackson could be a rock star in his role. Also, with so much attention on Dickinson, Jackson and dishingothers should have a ton of catch-and-shoot opportunities or driving lanes to make plays. He’s arguably the most athletic freshman PG in the country, so if he makes shots at a decent clip, that makes the Jayhawks even more lethal. 

11. Deshawn Harris-Smith | 6-5 wing | Maryland

At Big Ten media day, Kevin Willard called Harris-Smith “the most physically gifted player I’ve ever coached.” The 6-5, 215-pound freshman embraces contact with a college-ready body and has an incredible motor. He rebounds well from the guard spot and is a more than capable shooter. He is very good at attacking defenders downhill coming off ball screens. The Terrapins also have another potential star freshman in Jamie Kaiser Jr. Kaiser is an elite catch-and-shoot prospect with great size at 6-foot-6, 205 pounds. In August, Kaiser Jr. finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds in a 105-40 victory over Bassano PRC All-Stars. Maryland brought back 60.8 percent of its scoring, including three starters in Donta Scott, Julian Reese and Jahmir Young. There is an opportunity for these two to play an impactful role in this potential top-20 club.

12. Joseph “JoJo” Tugler | 6-7 forward | Houston

I stopped by Houston’s practice recently, and they are loaded from the guards to bigs to the coaching staff. They have a trio of freshmen big men in Tugler, Jacob McFarland and Cedric Lath who will all rotate and get early minutes. Of the three, Tugler could have an immediate impact as a rebounder, shot blocker and lob threat. I hate to compare 18- or 19-year-olds to NBA players, but in a few years, I could see him turning into Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III. Kelvin Sampson is hard on him because he sees what he could become, but what I love the most and saw at practice is that Tugler is willing to learn. He also has a great cast of mentors around him in the J’Wan Roberts and Ja’Vier Francis, who have taken him under their wings. He will probably play around 12-15 minutes a game, but he will make an impact as the season goes along.

13. Collin Murray-Boyles | 6-7 forward | South Carolina

Murray-Boyles likely won’t be talked about much ahead of the 2023-24 season, but by season’s end, he will be a household name. Aesthetically, he doesn’t jump off the page at 6-foot-7, 231 pounds, but he is productive. As a high school senior, he averaged 15.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. In a game this summer during the Gamecocks’ international tour, he shot 7-of-7 from the field and 2-of-2 from 3. I don’t know how many games the Gamecocks will win this year, but Murray-Boyles will be one of their bright spots, as I expect him to make the SEC All-Freshmen team. If so, he and GG Jackson would be the first two freshmen to make the SEC All-Freshmen team in back-to-back seasons in program history since Michael Carrera (2012-13) and Sindarius Thornwell (2013-14).

14. DJ Wagner | 6-3 point guard | Kentucky

For the majority of the offseason, we didn’t know what Kentucky’s roster would look like as they struck out several players in the portal and questions lingered about the return of SEC Sixth Man of the Year Antonio Reeves. One thing was for sure: The Wildcats were talented, especially in the backcourt, with Wagner Robert Dillingham, Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard. It’s hard not to see Wagner being dynamic in Calipari’s offense. The McDonald’s All-American MVP averaged 14.8 points this summer in Toronto at the GLOBL Jam, and he should continue to put up great numbers throughout the season, especially if potential lottery pick Aaron Bradshaw doesn’t play much as he recovers from a foot injury.

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15. Chris Johnson | 6-4 guard | Texas

On paper, Texas’ projected starting lineup is one of the best in the country with the additions of third-team All-American Max Abmas and former Virginia center Kadin Shedrick. However, the bench does have some question marks, with players who are either inexperienced, might not be ready to produce right away or who recently transferred up a level. This is where the four-star recruit comes in. The Longhorns staff is very excited about what Johnson brings to the table, from his playmaking to his shot-creation ability. There’s an avenue to where he would be the Longhorns’ first or second guard off the bench and will be relied upon to provide key minutes in late-game scenarios. We have an idea of what Abmas, Dylan Disu and Tyrese Hunter will do, but who will be the much-need X-factor in the second unit? I think Johnson will fill that void as the season goes along.

16. Mackenzie Mgbako | 6-8 wing | Indiana

If you walked into a gym where Mgbako was playing and asked a stranger to ‘spot the NBA player on the floor, they would immediately point to the 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward. He is as physically gifted as any prospect in the 2023 class, and word on the street in Bloomington is that he’s already one of the Hoosiers’ best players. There’s no doubt in my mind that Mgbako will play a critical role for Indiana this season. He was named preseason Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Mgbako will be a major puzzle piece for Hoosiers as a knockdown shooter and floor-spacer. If he can put it all together he could have a star freshman season like Jalen Hood-Schifino did.

17. Sebastian Mack | 6-4 shooting guard | UCLA

UCLA only brings back 17.9 percent of its scoring from a year (last in the Pac-12) and has seven new players, six of them being freshmen. All six ranked 81st or higher in the 247Sports Composite including Mack, who finished as the No. 66 prospect. For the first time in a long time, coach Mick Cronin will have to rely on freshmen to get the job done. Mack, from day one, will be one of the Bruins’ best scorers and most productive players. In August, he led all Bruins with 17 points against Madrid All-Stars and followed that up with another 17-point game versus L’Horta Godella (Valencia). Mack is a physical shooting guard who is built to score with his strong frame and ability to make contested pull-up jumpers.

18. Omaha Biliew | 6-8 forward | Iowa State

T.J. Otzelberger brought in the No. 9 recruiting class in 2023 led by a McDonald’s All-American in Biliew. The 6-8, 215-pound forward has an intriguing defensive upside and a motor that always runs hot. Biliew is an extremely hard worker and wants to be great. Toward the end of his high school career, he showed he was capable of knocking down 3s as a pick-and-pop threat. At the moment, his most translatable skills are rebounding, defensive versatility and athleticism. The Cyclones only bring back 31 percent of their scoring, so he should play a big role this season. The Cyclones do bring back last season’s assist leader Tamin Lipsey (4.4), who will work nicely with Biliew. That pick-and-roll combo could be dangerous come conference play.

19. Elliot Cadeau | 6-1 point guard | North Carolina 

I’m typically not a fan of prospects reclassifying up, but in Cadeau’s case, he had nothing left to prove on the high school level. Like Collier, the Brooklyn native is a next-level passer with upperclassmen vision. He plays with great pace and rarely gets sped up, which is impressive for young guards. In North Carolina’s scrimmage, he finished with 16 points and looked the part. I was curious to see if he would be able to create separation when attacking the rim, and he did just that, flashing an ability to make pull-up mid-range jumpers on multiple occasions. Prospects don’t reclassify to sit, and Cadeau is too dynamic to not have the ball in his hands early. By the end of the season, he could be one of the best players on the Tar Heels.

20. Justin Edwards | 6-7 wing | Kentucky

Don’t let Edwards coming in at No. 20 on this list fool you; he’s a big-time talent and a future lottery pick. He reminds me of former Wildcats star and future NBA draftee James Young but more polished on the offensive end. Young finished second on the team in scoring at 14.3 points in the 2013-14 season. It wouldn’t surprise me if Edwards led the Wildcats in scoring before heading off to the NBA. The Philadelphia native stands out as the most versatile prospect in the 2023 class, demonstrating the talent and potential to attain All-America status during his freshman year. At 6-foot-7 he can score on all three levels and plays with a combination of finesse and toughness that’s fun to watch. Gear up Kentucky fans. Wagner, Edwards and Robert Dillingham will be must-see TV.

Honorable Mention

Baye Ndongo | 6-9 forward | Georgia Tech

I’ll never forget the first time I saw Ndongo play. I was in the back gym in a church in Houston and saw this 6-foot-9 kid block a shot off the glass, get the rebound, push the ball fullcourt and dunk it. No one knew who he was, but as I watched him and studied his game I thought one day he could be a pro. Most prospects his size don’t have the athleticism, skill or feel for the game like he does. He’s battled some injuries this offseason, but when we look back at this list we will ask ourselves why he wasn’t sought after more while being recruited.

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Finley Bizjack | 6-3 guard | Butler

Bizjack can score the ball at will and gets better in clutch moments. In his final AAU summer, he made several buzzer-beaters and put up big numbers late in games to propel his team to victory. Bizjack played well in Butler’s team scrimmage, making several 3s and tough finishes around the rim. It wouldn’t shock me if he becomes too good to not have on the floor. Enjoy him Butler fans; he’s going to be a special player for years to come.

Brock Harding  | 6-0 guard | Iowa

Iowa doesn’t have a true point guard but does have a lot of options at that spot. One of those is Harding.  As the year progresses, it will be hard for Fran McCaffery to keep him on the bench. I could see the former Mr. Illinois basketball playing around 15 minutes a game. He’s a crafty scorer with a high basketball IQ and is tough as nails. He’s a bit different than the typical Hawkeye points guards in years past, but he will help them win games.

KJ Lewis | 6-4 guard | Arizona 

I can’t tell you how many of Lewis’ games I’ve watched over his high school career, but it starts back when he was 14. At the time, I was a Texas Tech student, and then-coach Chris Beard held a camp for high schoolers all over the state. Sitting in the gym as a young scout, I was just trying to find any talented kid to lock my eyes on — and boom, there was Lewis, a physically gifted athlete who would punish defenders who tried to contest his shot at the rim. Well, not much has changed. He’s still the physically talented prospect, but the game has slowed down for him, he picks his spots well, and he’s a potential game-changer on defense. Arizona practices are intense, but many players on the roster have said Lewis is a pest and very active on the defensive end. In a win over the Lebanon National Team, he finished with 12 points on 50 percent shooting with two steals. I expect Lewis will be a major glue guy for the Wildcats.

(Illustration: Samuel Richardson / The Athletic; Photos of, from left, Elmarko Jackson, Isaiah Collier and Stephon Castle: Maria Lysaker / USA Today) 

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