College Basketball: Top 10 freshman standouts through two weeks

The 2024 high school class carried some expectations with them into college. Fast-forward to week one of the 2024-25 college basketball season and we are seeing a lot of players from that class making an impact early in their freshman year. With the spotlight firmly planted on him at the Champions Classic, Cooper Flagg went for a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds.

The freshman class has been so good so far, that players like Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford, Creighton’s Jackson McAndrew, Alabama’s Labaron Philon, or Ohio State’s Juni Mobley, who have all shown some major flashes, did not make the top ten at this point.

There have also been some really good mid-major freshmen to this point. Harvard’s Robert Hinton started the season strong, going for 19 or more points in three of his five games played. Evansville’s 6-foot-7 forward Gabriel Pozzato (19.4 ppg) and USC Upstate’s 6-foot-6 wing Mister Dean (19.2 ppg) have also had hot starts to their seasons

This freshman class is shaping up to be fun to follow this college basketball season. Let’s discuss how things shook out after playing for two of the season with college basketball’s Top 10 freshman standouts.

1. SG Tre Johnson, Texas

Stats: 23.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 stocks, 58.9% FG, 58.6% 3P

With Tre Johnson, it is not only about his shot-making, which is a big thing for him, but it is about his shot-creation. At 6-foot-6 with a length frame and natural touch, Johnson’s footwork is advanced at this stage of his development. He is able to consistently create a clean look in the half-court. While he is off to a good start, staying consistent as a scoring threat will be interesting to continue watching for Johnson. It is all about adjustments.

2. F Cooper Flagg, Duke

Stats: 16.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, 2.0 steals, 44.2% FG

Cooper Flagg has made his mark on the box score across the board. He is currently among the top 15 players in the ACC in points (12th), rebounds (3rd), assists (12th), steals (10th), and blocks (4th) through four games. He will need to tighten up his scoring, but his ability to impact a game without scoring is so high. Flagg continues to prove himself as the ultimate connector.

3. F Egor Demin, BYU

Stats: 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.3 steals, 63.4% FG, 55.0% 3P

BYU head coach Kevin Young put the ball in Egor Demin’s hands in game one and the 6-foot-9 freshman from Moscow, Russia has consistently made plays. While he has a flair for the dramatic, showcasing quick processing and some courageous passing ability, he is dishing 3.8 assists for every 1 turnover. Demin is also shooting the ball at a high clip. Given his usage, he is playing at a very efficient rate.

4. G Dylan Harper, Rutgers

Stats: 21.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 57.8% FG

Dylan Harper has had the ball in his hands from game one, and even with a 32.5 percent usage rate, the 6-foot-6 freshman has shown capable of making plays for his team. Harper has an excellent feel and a great understanding of pace and balance. He delivers on target or finishes what the defense gives him. The shooting will be the swing skill for him, but he is currently at 30.8 percent from three and 70.0 percent from the line. The sample size is small, and the Scarlet Knights have yet to really be challenged through three games.

5. C Thomas Sorber, Georgetown

Stats: 19.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 steals, 50.0% FG, 75.0% FT

Thomas Sorber is a strong kid, with excellent length, and very strong hands with soft touch. He has shown to be able to score the ball on the block through the Hoyas’ first three games. The 6-foot-10 post is comfortable with his go-to moves over each shoulder and he has moved the ball very well. He will need to continue adding weight, but Sorber has an intriguing upside as a central piece on the block for a Georgetown that is clearly playing through him (12.7 shots per game) early on.

6. C Derik Queen, Maryland

Stats: 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.3 steals, 58.1% FG

Derik Queen has played over 20 minutes in two of the four games Maryland played this season. In those two games, he had 22 points and 20 rebounds in the opener against Manhattan and 24 points on 9-13 FG against Marquette. In the other two games the Terrapins won by a combined 65 points. Queen has soft touch and excellent footwork and body control on the block.

7. SG Kon Knueppel, Duke

Stats: 14.8 points. 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 38.5% 3P

Kon Knueppel has led Duke in scoring in two of their four games played so far. Even after having a forgettable performance against Kentucky (5-20 FG) in the Champions Classic against Kentucky, Knueppel has maintained the look of a go-to-type scorer for the Blue Devils. Combined in the other three games, Knueppel has shot 55.2 percent from the field and 9-18 (50.0%) from three. Let us see how he bounces back this week.

8. PG Boogie Fland, Arkansas

Stats: 16.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 40.0% 3P

Boogie Fland has stepped into the spotlight and taken everything in stride. The 6-foot-2 lead guard has led the top-25 ranked Arkansas in assists in three of their four games and scoring two of the four. He was On3’s No. 1 ranked PG for the 2024 recruiting cycle and has exceeded expectations through four games.

9. SF Tyrone Riley, San Francisco

Stats: 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 64.4% FG, 52.6% 3P

Tyrone Riley finished in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds on 5-9 shooting against Boise State. That simply shed more light on the 26 and 28-point outputs he has also had through his first four games. The 6-foot-6 wing finished the 2024 recruiting cycle inside of On3’s top 150. His next game is against Memphis on 11/21.

10a. SF Liam McNeeley, UConn

Stats: 14.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 stocks, 48.1% FG, 41.2% 3P

UConn, the two-time defending national champions have jumped out to a 3-0 start winning by a combined 116 points. Liam McNeeley is the team’s second-leading scorer at this point in the season, and the 6-foot-7 wing is shooting at a highly efficient clip from three, 41.2 percent on 5.7 attempts per game. He is also showing more than just shooting as he finished with double-doubles in two of the three games.

10b. PF Asa Newell, Georgia

Stats: 16.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 53.6% FG

Asa Newell came out of the gates hot to start the season. His first game saw him go for 26 and 11 with three blocks. Newell has slowed down a little since opening night but has remained in double figures each game while shooting an efficient 50.0 percent in each. Newell is providing a defensive presence, blocking three or more shots in three of his four games. While he needs to clean up the extended shooting, he is still showing efficient makes and moving the ball. On3 was the highest in the industry with him coming out of the 2024 cycle, and his upside is the reason why.