Top 25 Impact Freshmen | Men's College Basketball Season Preview

With the 2021-2022 men’s college basketball season about a week away from tipping off, today I’m breaking down the top 25 freshmen around the men’s NCAA landscape. It’s hard to predict the impact these new freshmen will have without seeing them play a game, but I did all the tape study and laid out the strengths and weaknesses of each prospect along with a past player whose game they compare to.

(Check out our full college basketball season preview!)

As long as players are unable to go directly to the NBA from high school, college basketball will continue to be dominated by freshmen. Let’s take a look at these future household names.

Top 25 Impact Freshmen for the 2021-2022 College Basketball Season

Here is how I rank the top 25 freshmen around college basketballs this season.

1. Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga

(Comp: Bol Bol)

Not often do we see a prospect as unique and exciting as Chet Holmgren. Having guard skills and mobility at his 7-foot frame makes him a true unicorn with sky-high potential. Holmgren’s greatest asset will be his ability to impact the game on the defensive end as a rim protector and shot blocker. His offensive ability is still quite raw but what makes him special is his high basketball IQ. I am not ready to compare him to Kevin Durant yet (that’s insanity) — his game reminds me of Bol Bol but with much better playmaking ability and overall feel for the game.

2. Paolo Banchero, Duke

(Comp: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl)

Banchero is well beyond his years in terms of frame and skillset. Many think he could be the overall best player in the country this year, and for good reason. He uses his size extremely well and possesses both strength around the rim and finesse off the bounce and in the mid-range. He will be unstoppable at times and reminds me of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl but with much better ball skills and an improving three-point stroke. Look for him to put up the biggest numbers of the freshman class.

3. Emoni Bates, Memphis

(Comp: Cam Reddish)

Bates can be described in two words: Bucket getter. He could be considered the best pure scorer in the class, even after he reclassified up a year. Bates has never seen a shot he doesn’t like, and even though shot selection is certainly a concern, his size and range allow him to shoot over defenders and make difficult shots look easy. His elite scoring ability reminds me of Cam Reddish coming out of high school with a splash of a skinny Carmelo Anthony.

4. Jalen Duren, Memphis

(Comp: Bam Adebayo)

This statue of a human is a physical specimen who is an absolute monster in the paint. His NBA-ready frame makes him hard to stop both in the post and on the glass. Duren can also get out and run the floor, so expect a ton of lobs and block shots in his highlight reel. He is still a bit raw offensively, but he gives Penny Hardaway a very valuable weapon at his disposal who should play a very similar role to the one Bam Adebayo filled for Kentucky.

5. Jabari Smith, Auburn

(Comp: Jaren Jackson Jr.)

With impressive length and versatility at 6-foot-10, Smith should thrive in Auburn’s up-tempo system. He’s a very good athlete who can get up and down the floor and should be a capable shot blocker on the defensive end as well. He still has a thin frame and will need to add strength, but his most valuable skill is his smooth stroke from the three-point line. He reminds me of Jaren Jackson but plays a bit more on the outside.

6. Patrick Baldwin, Milwaukee

(Comp: Jayson Tatum)

Baldwin’s 6-foot-8 frame and smooth game make him the perfect mold for the prototypical NBA wing. The son of a coach, Baldwin’s basketball IQ is quite high to go along with his improving offensive game. He’s not the greatest athlete but is super crafty with the ball and could score at all three levels with ease. His size and game remind me a lot of Jayson Tatum, and he should put up big numbers for Milwaukee.

(Check out our rankings of the top 100 teams and top 100 players for men’s college basketball in 2021-2022.)

7. Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee

(Comp: Devontae Shuler)

A true point guard and game manager by nature, Chandler is the top point guard in the 2021 class. He may not be the most electric scorer, but he is a terror in the open court and has elite passing and playmaking ability. The Vols’ were in desperate need of a poised playmaker on the offensive end and Chandler certainly fills that need. What raises his ceiling is he grades out as a plus on ball defender and a plus athlete as well. Has a Devontae Shuler feel to him when the ball is in his hands.

8. Caleb Houstan, Michigan

(Comp: Matthew Hurt)

Houstan is an elite catch-and-shoot three-point threat with very good size at 6-foot-8 that makes him extremely hard to contest. He is an average athlete and his ability to put the ball on the deck is improving. He could either play the 3 or the 4 spot and could be an effective rebounder at his size as well. He should be the Wolverine’s top threat from behind the arch, and his stroke and frame remind me of Matthew Hurt.

9. Peyton Watson, UCLA

(Comp: Jaden McDaniels)

Watson has very good length and athleticism on the wing, which give him sky-high potential. I’m not quite sure how much Mick Cronin will utilize him in his rotations at UCLA, but Watson gives him an extremely versatile defender who can wreak havoc in transition. His offensive game is still a bit raw but certainly developing. Has a similar skillset as Jaden McDaniels coming out of high school.

10. JD Davison, Alabama

(Comp: Ja Morant)

A freakish and explosive athlete, Davison will certainly be on many highlight reels throughout the season. The 6-foot-3 point guard is an elite slasher and scorer at the rim who should thrive in Alabama’s open offense. An average shooter for his position and could develop into a plus defender. His full-throttle type of game will remind you a lot of a young Ja Morant, and Alabama’s backcourts should be one of the most exciting in the country.

11. TyTy Washington, Kentucky

(Comp: Tre Mann)

Washington’s ranking skyrocketed in his senior year, and he continues to grow and improve as an elite point guard. Washington should share lead guard duties with Sahvir Wheeler for Kentucky and provide both playmaking ability and crafty scoring. He has good size for the position with an above-average jump shot and elite instincts. Will remind you of Tre Mann both on and off the ball.

12. Kendall Brown, Baylor

(Comp: Jermaine Samuels)

He’s a super-bouncy wing with good size and a quick second jump. Very good at finishing at slashing and finishing at the rim through contact, limited range from the three-point line. His best attribute could be his versatility defensively. Could serve as a Jermaine Samuels-type role.

(Sign up for FTN Bets today for $49.99 a month!)

13. Daimion Collins, Kentucky

(Comp: Greg Brown)

Collins is very thin but has great length and is very mobile for his size. He’s an explosive leaper and has ball skills, so he loves to grab rebounds and go in transition. He could be a high-level shot blocker with his leaping ability. Still raw on the offensive end and needs to build strength but does have a three-pointer jumper in his arsenal and loads of potential. Reminds me a lot of Greg Brown the way he runs the floor.

14. Moussa Diabaté, Michigan

(Comp: Cheick Diallo)

Diabaté is an energetic big man with a high motor. He definitely does not shy away from contact and although a bit awkward in the post, he does find a way to score or make plays in different ways. Should be a plus interior defender but his best attribute is his nose for the ball and rebounding ability. Should impact the game similar to a Cheick Diallo type.

15. AJ Griffin, Duke

(Comp: Keon Johnson)

Built like a linebacker, Griffin has high-level physical tools at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds. Has a ton of upside but will need time to develop. Average jumper, and I have read there are some questions about his motor and defensive intensity. His best attribute is his ability to get out in transition and finish through contact. Will start the year with some nagging injuries but if Mike Krzyzewski can get him to buy in, could have a major impact on Duke’s ceiling. Think Keon Johnson-type athleticism.

(Check out our rankings of the top 100 teams and top 100 players for men’s college basketball in 2021-2022.)

16. Harrison Ingram, Stanford

(Comp: Kyle Anderson)

Ingram has an old school and methodical type of game, but also one of the highest basketball IQs you’ll see (obviously — he went to Stanford). He has the ability to run point forward with his 6-foot-7 frame and savvy passing ability and intelligence allow him to make plays from anywhere on the floor. Not the greatest athlete but makes up for it with his competitiveness. Has the ability to knock down the three ball as well. Can be compared to a Kyle Anderson with a splash of Draymond Green.

17. Max Christie, Michigan State

(Comp: Tyler Herro)

Christie is a pure scorer with good size at shooting guard. Still needs to work on his frame, as he could get pushed off the ball and bullied defensively. His best attribute is his jumper with unlimited range. A very crafty and smart scorer, Christie will most likely lead the Spartans in scoring this year. Reminds me a lot of Tyler Herro.

18. Hunter Sallis, Gonzaga

(Comp: Dejounte Murray)

Sallis is a wiry guard with good length and athleticism. He is very versatile as he can be put both on the ball or off, also used as a scorer or distributor. Has an average jumper and needs to add strength. He has sky-high potential, and I see a ton of Dejounte Murray in him.

19. Trevor Keels, Duke

(Comp: Luguentz Dort)

Keels is built like a bowling ball with incredible strength for a 2 guard. Has a power game going to the hoop but has a ton of range in his jump shot, which should fit in very well in Duke’s system. Uses his strength to his advantage on the defensive end and on the glass. Has a Luguentz Dort-type feel to his game.

20. Aminu Mohammed, Georgetown

(Comp: Justise Winslow)

Plays much bigger than his size as a 6-foot-5 wing. Developing his range as a shooter but definitely more of a slasher with great strength and ability to finish through contact. An elite rebounder for his position and likes to get out in transition. His frame and strength going to the rim reminds me of Justise Winslow.

21. Matthew Cleveland, Florida State

(Comp: Michael Qualls)

An explosive athlete who thrives in transition and has great body control attacking the rim. A scorer more than a playmaker who takes and makes tough shots. Has loads of potential defensively with his size and length. His highlight-reel type of game reminds me a lot of Michael Qualls from Arkansas a few years ago.

22. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Tennessee

(Comp: Dedric Lawson)

A power forward with great size and very comfortable with the ball in his hands whether it’s on the perimeter or in the post. Has great control of the ball and his body with great touch and can step out and hit the three. Extremely versatile in a powerful frame, should be a plus rebounder as well. See a lot of Dedric Lawson with his versatility.

23. Efton Reid, LSU

(Comp: Walker Kessler)

Reid is a true back-to-the-basket big with nice footwork and a soft touch. Dangerous scorer in the post and very soft hands and a solid rebounder. It’s not his strength, but he can hit the three pointer if needed. Needs to improve defensively but no one plays defense at LSU, should fit right in. His big-time offensive skillset reminds me of Walker Kessler.

24. Nathan Bittle, Oregon

(Comp: Kristaps Porzingis)

An awkward center with really nice touch around the rim but loves to step out and shoot the three. Really needs to work on his strength as he easily gets pushed off the block out to the perimeter. He does make himself present on the glass and on the defensive end as a high level shot blocker. He’s certainly not as skilled as Kristaps Porzingis, but his length gives his game the same feel. Could be really good with the proper development.