The top college basketball freshmen to watch in 2022-23

The return of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyger Campbell are just two reasons the Bruins are a top-10 team in the preseason version of The Associated Press Top 25. Another reason could be the addition of Bailey, a five-star recruit from California's Sierra Canyon School. He was ranked the No. 2 shooting guard by ESPN. Bailey is expected to get his shot from the start, and it would not be surprising if he hit the ground running and became an instant factor for UCLA.

On most teams in the country this season, Black would be the No. 1 recruit. However, Arkansas also landed the country's top freshman (more on that later). Black is no slouch. At 6-foot-7, Black is a pure athlete capable of easily running the point and expected to make an immediate impact for the Razorbacks. The Texas native was a McDonald's All-American and a USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team member that won gold at the 2022 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

There is plenty of excitement around the Illini program because of Clark. The 6-3 guard played his final prep season at powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida and could very well end up being Illinois' most potent offensive option with Kofi Cockburn, Alfonso Plummer, and Trent Frazier gone. Clark can be viewed as somewhat in the mold of recent Illini star and current Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu. If that proves to be the case, Illinois fans should be ecstatic.

The 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year, Dıck tops another elite freshman class for the Jayhawks, which includes fellow McDonald's All-Americans MJ Rice and Ernest Udeh. As a senior at Kansas prep powerhouse Sunrise Christian Academy, he averaged 17.9 points, shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from 3-point range. That offensive skill should be immediately on display, especially with the team's scoring load up for grabs, as Kansas aims to repeat as national champions.

When Baylor took part in the GLOBLJAM this summer, George averaged 22.8 points over a five-game stretch. A 37-point effort against Canada highlighted that. As a member of USA Basketball, George, from Texas via Florida's famed IMG Academy, was named MVP of the 2021 3x3 U18 World Cup. The Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year, the hype is real surrounding George. We just have to see if he can handle it all when the games count.

Big Ten basketball fans know about Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson, but Hood-Schifino has the potential to be the next big thing for the Hoosiers. Another Montverde Academy standout, Hood-Schifino is a versatile guard who should complement backcourt mate Xavier Johnson. His contributions might not be obvious on a nightly basis, but Hood-Schifino's dependability could help Indiana live up to its preseason hype.

The Bulldogs might be picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West Conference, but they could end up having the top freshman in the league. A four-star recruit and hometown product, Hunter was voted Preseason MWC Freshman of the Year. While at San Joaquin Memorial High, Hunter totaled 2,337 points and averaged 31.8 as a senior. With Hunter in the fold and four starters back from last season's 23-win club, Fresno State looks to surprise and maybe even reach NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.

South Carolina was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason poll, but Jackson will be worth watching. At 6-9, 210 pounds, Jackson is a major get for the Gamecocks after he de-committed from North Carolina and reclassified to the Class of 2022 for this season. Meaning, he will play the early portion of the season while just 17 years old. Still, the supremely athletic Jackson will likely be the best player during Lamont Paris' first season as South Carolina coach.

The Jon Scheyer era at Duke begins with what's considered the best recruiting class in the nation. Topping that group is the 7-1, 230-pound Lively, who should be the Blue Devils' go-to guy out of the gate. He's among the top-five freshman recruits in the country and a McDonald's All-American. As a senior at Pennsylvania's Westtown School, Lively averaged 14.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 4.5 blocks. Lively's mother, Katherine Drysdale, totaled 1,295 points while playing for Penn State (1988-'92), so it's obviously in the genes. 

Another season, another special Kentucky freshmen class. Livingston is a fierce combo forward that tends to play bigger than his 6-6, 220-pound frame. He played his final prep season at Oak Hill Academy, averaging 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals. With some established, high-level talent returning, the Wildcats don't need to rely on their recruits to carry the load this season. That said, Livingston is expected to be a major contributor from the get-go.

At 6-9 and in the neighborhood of 200 pounds, Miller possesses the length and athleticism that coach Nate Oates desires at Alabama. Miller makes it seem effortless when handling the ball in the open court and presents Oates with many options on how to use him on a nightly basis. With veteran guard Jahvon Quinerly leading the way and Miller's potential, the Crimson Tide should be in the mix for an SEC crown.

There are high expectations for Longhorns basketball this season — with 2022 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Tyrese Hunter in the mix after transferring from Iowa State and key offensive contributors Marcus Carr and Timmy Allen back. The presence of the 6-8 Mitchell, another Montverde Academy product, only makes Texas potentially stronger, assuming he lives up to the hype as one of the five best recruits in the nation, according to ESPN. Like most athletes on this list, Mitchell does many things well. That versatility should be displayed every night, as he'll get his chance immediately.

The 6-8 Mitchell scored a game-high 19 points in the McDonald's All-American game. While the fanfare doesn't necessarily reach the level of others within Duke's stellar class, Mitchell's performance in that all-star prep contest proved that he has the potential to make an impact for the Blue Devils — and quickly. The Kansas City product averaged 17.6 points while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 6.3 rebounds as a senior at Sunrise Christian Academy. 

The No. 1 ranked freshman in the country, Smith is a do-it-all guard who can shoot and pass with elite effectiveness. A McDonald's All-American and 2022 USA TODAY National High School Boy’s Basketball Player of the Year, Smith averaged 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists for North Little Rock (Arkansas) High as a senior. Teamed with the aforementioned Anthony Black, Smith will be counted on to help the Razorbacks make a third straight Elite Eight appearance — at the least.

Notre Dame is lacking a truly recognizable name, but Starling has the potential to change things from the beginning. A true combo guard, Starling, who spent the second half of his prep career at nearby La Lumiere after he averaged 28.6 points and 6.2 rebounds at Baker High in Baldwinsville, N.Y., might not bring with him to college the hype that most others on this list do. However, when it comes to value to his new school, Starling's performance would seem vital. The Irish are trying to make the NCAA Tournament field in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2016 and '17.

Walker finds himself in a pretty enviable situation with the Cougars, a top-10 team trying to reach the Elite Eight for a third consecutive season. Rated the No. 1 power forward recruit in the country by ESPN, the 6-8, 240-pound Walker, who finished his prep career at IMG Academy, is expected to be a massive paint presence for a Houston squad that boasts two of the game's best guards in Marcus Sasser and Tramon Mack. Walker posted 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists during the McDonald's All-American.

The Dallas product is the projected star of another strong Kentucky freshman class. Wallace has the potential to be a consistent scorer for John Calipari's Wildcats, but his biggest value to the squad likely will be as a lockdown defender. A potentially great one, at that. The 6-4, 193-pound Wallace has the size, speed, and skill to be a game-changing defender while serving as a fine complement to touted returnees Oscar Tshiebwe and Sahvir Wheeler.

Another part of this year's acclaimed Arkansas class (ranked No. 2 in the country). Walsh is a performer from Texas. He might not make the immediate impact as young Razorbacks teammates Nick Smith and Anthony Black but is expected to start and perhaps find a quality niche that will make him a consistent presence within the squad. A McDonald's All-American from Desoto, Texas, Walsh averaged 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists as a high school senior.

According to ESPN, the 6-foot-7 Whitehead was rated as the No. 1 small forward recruit this season. While Whitehead is expected to provide a stellar 1-2 punch with the aforementioned Dereck Lively, he underwent foot surgery in late August, so it's uncertain what his status will be for the Blue Devils' opener on Nov. 7 against Jacksonville. 

Jay Wright surprisingly stepped down as Villanova coach, but the Wildcats still have some solid veteran returnees and the Big East Preseason Freshman of the Year in Whitmore available to Kyle Neptune. The Most Outstanding Player at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship  for the gold medal-winning United States' squad, the 6-7 Whitmore also shared game-high scoring honors with 19 points at the McDonald's All-American game. Scouts claim that Whitmore is the entire package of size, strength, and speed, and he should be fun to watch. However, a preseason thumb injury could hinder the start of Whitmore's season.