The Freshman 5
For those who love college basketball, it is a time of year that brings excitement and anticipation. In just a few months, you will have your team playing in the NCAA Tournament. But before it gets to that point, there are some new players to keep an eye on – 2021-22 College Freshman to Watch. Here’s what you need to know about each player:
Chet Holmgren (Center, Gonzaga)
Photo courtesy of KHQ.com
Holmgren is one of the biggest names to watch for this season. As most know, he is a lanky freshman who can simply do it all on the court. The 7’0″ Center is among the favorites to be the top pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He joins a Gonzaga team who fell just one win short of completing a perfect season after losing to Baylor in last year’s National Championship. He will be a vital part of this year’s squad on both offense and defense because of his versatility. He makes his Gonzaga team very dangerous because of his size and scoring abilities – whether it’s on offense or defense. With that being said, he has high odds to win this year’s Wooden Award if he stays healthy all season long.
Paolo Banchero (Forward, Duke)
Photo courtesy of si.com
Another Wooden Award hopeful, Banchero is a versatile power forward. He possesses an excellent face-up game and can score from anywhere on the floor. Banchero is an extremely efficient player; he averaged nearly 20 points per 40 minutes this year- not to mention shooting just over 60% from the field thus far. With that being said, Banchero can be considered as one of the best college basketball players to watch out for this year. He recently was involved in a DWI case that will have some ramifications on his college basketball career. That story is still developing.
Emoni Bates (Small Forward, Memphis)
Photo courtesy of Photo Appeal
Memphis freshman Emoni Bates is a year removed from being the top high school prospect in America. He reclassed late to join the Memphis Tigers and has shown that he belongs at this level. The elite scorer has been able to translate his skill set to the college level very easily and has been named AAC Freshman of the week after his first two games. The 6’9″ forward is averaging about 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, while 56% from the field and 50% from the arc. He is also on the Wooden Award watch list and one of Penny Hardaway’s favorite players on this year’s team.
Jabari Smith (Power Forward, Auburn)
Photo courtesy of Auburn University Athletics
The 6’10” Smith is in his Freshman year with the Auburn Tigers. This season with the departure of four starters, Smith has been thrusted into a large role this season. Smith had 23 points and 10 rebounds against Louisiana-Monroe in Auburn’s first game of the year. The Tyrone, Georgia native has the size, strength, and prolific shooting touch needed to make him a lottery pick in the years to come. He has a great feel for the game and dedicates himself to putting in the work in order to be a great player.
Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Photo courtesy of ESPN
In High School, Baldwin had offers from every major program in America. He ultimately chose to stay close to home and play for his Dad’s program, the University of Milwaukee. Baldwin can simply do it all. At 6’9 he has the size and athleticism to be an elite player at the next level. His Basketball IQ and shooting ability set him apart from his peers. He’s projected to be a lottery pick in the 2022 NBA draft and patterns his game after NBA Champion and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Baldwin is aiming to bring Milwaukee into the national spotlight the same way “The Greek Freak” has done in the league.
Honorable Mention:
Ty Ty Washington (Guard, Kentucky)
Malachi Smith (Guard, Dayton)
Jalen Duren (Center, Memphis)
Zakai Ziegler (Guard, Tennessee)
Harrison Ingram (Forward, Stanford)