College Basketball: Top 25 Freshmen

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:59:39 -0800

Led by future #1 NBA pick John Wall, this year's freshman class will be one to remember. What makes it particularly interesting is that not all of the top performers are at power conference schools. The WCC, CUSA, A10, MWC, WAC, and others have top-level rookies that can play with the best in the country. Here's a list of the Top 25 freshman in the country so far, with a bias on actual performance as opposed to potential. While players like UNC's John Henson may one day tear up NBA harcourts, this list focuses on the guys who are getting it done right now.

Points are listed first, followed by rebounds & assists.

Top 25 Freshmen

1. John Wall - Kentucky - G
17.0, 3.7, 6.9, 2.1 spg
Best player on the #1 team in the land. Not bad for a freshman.

2. DeMarcus Cousins - Kentucky - F/C
15.4, 9.5, 0.9, 1.8 bpg
On a per-minute basis, no one tops Cousins' production. 28 points and 18 boards per 40 minutes.

3. Xavier Henry - Kansas - G
14.3, 3.9, 2.0, 1.9 spg
Fading a bit as season has progressed, but still super talented.

4. Avery Bradley - Texas - G
12.3, 2.7, 2.5, 1.5 spg
Playing-time and scorig output has increased in recent weeks.

5. Derrick Favors - Georgia Tech - C
11.8, 8.9, 0.9, 1.1 spg, 1.9 bpg
Spotty at times, but has as much potential as anyone on the list.

6. Eric Bledsoe - Kentucky - G
11.3, 3.1, 3.2, 1.3 spg
Overshadowed by Wall & Cousins, but brings it every night.

7. Elias Harris - Gonzaga - F
16.1, 8.2, 1.1, 1.1 spg
Without Harris, Gonzaga wouldn't be near Top 25.

8. Derrick Williams - Arizona - F
15.6, 7.1, 0.7
Threat for 20 & 10 each night is keeping UofA afloat.

9. Hassan Whiteside - Marshall - F/C
12.7, 9.4, 0.3, 5.4 bpg
If you're wondering how Marshall is 15-4, here's the answer.

10. Kenny Boynton - Florida - G
14.6, 3.1, 3.3
If/when he finds consistency from three, can be 20 ppg scorer.

11. Reggie Moore - Washington St - G
14.4, 2.1, 4.6, 1.4 spg
Good mix of size, scoring, and passing ability.

12. Maurice Creek - Indiana - G
16.1, 3.8, 1.8, 1.4 spg
Will be a key component to a possible IU turnaround.

13. Lance Stephenson - Cincinnati - G
12.2, 4.8, 2.7, 1.0 spg
Has room for growth if cuts back on TO's and works on long ball.

14. Aaric Murray - LaSalle - F/C
12.1, 7.2, 1.4, 2.6 bpg
Defensive presence can surprise by hitting outside shots.

15. Marshawn Powell - Arkansas - F
15.4, 6.7, 1.2, 1.1 spg, 1.3 bpg
Positive note on otherwise blah Razorback squad.

16. Kawhi Leonard - San Diego St - F
11.4, 9.4, 1.9, 1.5 spg
Double-double machine is only improving.

17. Derek Needham - Fairfield - G
15.5, 3.5, 5.8, 2.0 spg
Dynamic guard has helped Stags to quality start, but needs to make better decisions.

18. Greg Smith - Fresno - F
12.1, 6.7, 1.1, 1.5 bpg
Coming off 25 point, 11 rebound, 5 assist game

19. Alec Burks - Colorado - G
16.8, 5.2, 1.8, 1.2 spg
One of the top scoring freshmen in the country.

20. Tyler Haws - BYU - G/F
12.4, 4.5, 1.5
Highly consistent wing is big reason BYU is 20-1.

21. Tiny Gallon - Oklahoma - C
11.2, 8.9, 0.8
Highly inconsistent, but tons of potential.

22. Tommy Mason-Griffin - Oklahoma - G
10.8, 2.8, 4.8
Quality PG needs more diverse offensive game.

23. DJ Cooper - Ohio - G
13.2, 4.6, 5.4, 2.8 spg
Puts up top-notch numbers for subpar Bobcats team.

24. Jake Cohen - Davidson - C
12.3, 4.8, 0.7, 1.3 bpg
Perhaps tiring due to lack of fitness, but one to watch.

25. John Jenkins - Vanderbilt - G
10.7, 2.4, 1.0
Improved play of late is big reason Vandy's won 9 in a row.

Others To Watch
There's not too much separating the guys below from the guys above.

Chris Braswell - Charlotte
Greg Gantt - Florida Atlantic
Jordan Hamilton - Texas
CJ Harris - Wake Forest
Arsalan Kazemi - Rice
Lasan Kromah - George Washington
JP Kuhlman - Davidson
Tony Mitchell - Alabama
Reeves Nelson - UCLA
Alex Oriakhi - UCONN
Durand Scott - Miami
Mfon Udofia - Georgia Tech
Christian Watford - Indiana
Maalik Wayns - Villanova
Jordan Williams - Maryland
Travon Woodall - Pittsburgh

elias harris

College Basketball: Top 25 Freshmen