College Basketball: Week 15 Freshman Power Rankings

We are already fifteen weeks into the college basketball season, as we are coming down the home stretch of conference play. Throughout the season we have taken a few looks at the top freshmen in Division 1 basketball. This is our third look across the landscape since the start of the new year.

Last year saw Alabama’s Brandon Miller take the college basketball world by storm. This season has not seen any freshman dominating college basketball, but there have been a few who are contributing to winning basketball. This update has Duke guard Jared McCain sitting atop the list. His play along the perimeter has continued to trend upward as the season has grown, even grabbing double-figure rebounds in four of their last five games.

This list looks at the first-year college players who are having the biggest effect on the sport through their in-season play. Let’s discuss college basketball’s (true) freshman power rankings through week 15.

Just Missed

F JT Toppin, New Mexico

Richard Pitino has had his New Mexico team flirting around the top 25 all season, even spending a couple of weeks on the back end of the list. While the Lobo guards have gotten a good chunk of the publicity, the steady play of freshman forward JT Toppin has played a major factor. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 12.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game this season. In Mountain West play, his numbers have risen to 12.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 12 games. New Mexico is currently 20-5 and in second place in the conference. 

1. G Jared McCain, Duke

The Buzz: Jared McCain has started every game for Duke this year, and as the season has progressed, so has McCain’s production. Take out his first seven games in November, and the freshman guard is averaging 14.9 points and is consistently making big plays in timely moments. Over McCain’s last five-game stretch, the 6-foot-3 guard has secured double-digit rebounds in four of the games and is averaging 3.0 assists. Duke started this week at No. 9 in the A.P. Poll and is currently 10-3, second in ACC play.

2. F Cody Williams, Colorado

The Buzz: Cody Williams has had the luxury of not needing to come into school and immediately be the man. Playing alongside a dynamic guard like KJ Simpson has allowed Williams to take a secondary role and continue to build on his strengths. With that role, Williams has continued to thrive, averaging 14.0 points and shooting 46.7 percent from three. Williams has steadily shown up on the defensive end while showing some secondary playmaking chops and crafty finishes around the basket.  

3. G Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

The Buzz: Reed Sheppard has been about as steady of a performer as college basketball has seen this season. His highs are never too high, and his lows are never too low. Just as a solid, complimentary guard who helps everything around him run smoothly. Sheppard is shooting 51.9 percent from three this season while dishing 4.2 assists and leading the SEC with 2.5 steals per contest. He moves the ball, makes his shots, and is a very effective off-ball defender. Kentucky went on a skid, dropping four of their last seven games, but with last night’s win over Ole Miss, they were able to play the first game of the season with a full roster.

4. G Stephon Castle, UConn

The Buzz: Stephon Castle missed a handful of the early parts of the season, and it took him a few games to get acclimated to things. He has steadily improved since his return, playing his best basketball most recently, averaging 15.0 points and shooting 60 percent (6-10) from three over his last five games. In the 14 games Castle has started, he is averaging 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting 49.6 percent from the field. No. 1 ranked UConn has won all 14 of those games.

5. G Robert Dillingham, Kentucky

The Buzz: There is a sense of electricity in Robert Dillingham’s game that you do not see elsewhere in college basketball. The consistency with which he can score it, in one-on-one situations, lights a fire for this Kentucky team when he comes off the bench. Dillingham plays his best basketball coming off the bench. When given elongated minutes, he can get turnover-prone, and his defensive shortcomings show, However, when he comes off the bench and is given the freedom to go score, he is at his best. In just over 24 minutes per game in SEC play, Dillingham is averaging 16.3 points while shooting 43.4 percent from three. Despite being fifth in minutes played, he is second on the team in field goals attempted and first on the team in usage.

6. G Isaiah Collier, USC

The Buzz: It is safe to say that USC’s season has not gone according to plan, however, it is hard to not notice the competitive fire that Isaiah Collier brings each time he steps on the floor. Collier missed close to a month with a wrist injury suffered in early January. In the two games since his return, Collier has averaged 19 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals while going 2-4 from three. Both games ended in losses, and in the two games combined, there were three USC players in double figures, two of them were Collier. That has not stopped Collier from taking the floor and competing. 

7. C Yves Missi, Baylor

The Buzz: The flashes that Yves Missi continues to show throughout this season are wildly impressive. His athleticism (ability to run, move, and jump) is among the top 1 percent of big men in college basketball. After winning four of their last five, Baylor started the week at No. 12 in the A.P. Poll. Through is last six games, Missi is averaging 15.3 points and 1.8 blocks while shooting 63.5 percent from the field and 78.8 percent from the free-throw line. He has had four double-doubles and four games with four or more blocks this season.

8. G Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor

The Buzz: While his performances have been up and down, Ja’Kobe Walter is still the leading scorer for the A.P. No. 12 overall Baylor team. His highs have been high, going for 15 or more points in 11 games this season. He has also had eight games where he finished in single digits. Walter has proven to be more than simply a shooter, going to the free-throw line 5.1 times in Big 12 play. His assist totals have also jumped to 2.1 per game since December 1. Walter is a good team defender, and Baylor has won four of their last five. 

9. F Johnny Furphy, Kansas

The Buzz: It took 13 games to get Kansas freshman Johnny Furphy into the starting lineup, but since being inserted the 6-foot-8 wing has produced. In his ten starts, Furphy is averaging 12.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. He also shoots 53.2 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three. Kansas is still figuring some things out with its rotations and lack of depth, as they have dropped five of their last 11. But, Furphy is just getting into the groove of things, since re-classing and enrolling at Kansas a year early from the NBA Global Academy, a la Tyrese Proctor the year prior.

10. F Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina

The Buzz: Collin Murray-Boyles missed a good chunk of the first part of the season with mononucleosis, and it took him a few games to get up to speed. South Carolina is now 21-3 on the season and started the week No. 11 in the A.P. Poll. Murray-Boyles has started nine games for the Gamecocks and has averaged 11.7 points 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks in those games. South Carolina is 8-1 in Murray-Boyles starts this season, and the 6-foot-7 forward has led the team in scoring in each of their last three games, wins against Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Ole Miss. 

Next Ten

G Elliot Cadeau, UNC

2023-24 Stats: 25 games, 7.8 points, 1.8 rebounds. 3.9 assists

While his counting numbers might not pop, watching North Carolina play it is undeniable the ball moves much crisper with Elliot Cadeau on the floor. UNC is still figuring some things out, dropping three of their last five, but when Cadeau is good, the No. 7 ranked Tar Heels are at their best.

G Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh

2023-24 Stats: 24 games, 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 threes, 51.5% 2P

Carlton Carrington has had his ups and downs, but as one of the youngest players in college basketball, he has added a lot of confidence to this Pittsburgh team that is currently fifth in the ACC.

G Kanaan Carlyle, Stanford

2023-24 Stats: 14 games, 13.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 38.1% 3P

Kanaan Carlyle brought a spark to this Stanford team, immediately upon his return to the lineup. The Cardinal are 5-3 in the eight games he has started and his numbers have jumped to 14.9 points and 3.1 assists on 44.8 percent from three in Pac-12 play.

G Cam Christie, Minnesota

2023-24 Stats: 22 games, 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 41.2% 3P

Cam Christie has gradually gotten better for this Minnesota team that sits in sixth place in the Big Ten. The team’s second-leading scorer is averaging 16.3 points and 5.3 rebounds on 50 percent shooting from three over their last three games. 

C Owen Freeman, Iowa 

2023-24 Stats: 24 games, 10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.7 blocks, 64.3% FG

Owen Freeman has manned the middle all season for the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-10 freshman has four double-doubles on the season and sits in the top two on the team in rebounds, blocks, and steals. 

G Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State

2023-24 Stats: 24 games, 14.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 35.5% 3P

Josh Hubbard leads SEC freshmen and scoring, and despite only starting five games, he also leads Mississippi State in scoring. 

G Malik Mack, Harvard

2023-24 Stats: 17 games, 18.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 40.4% 3P

Malik Mack started the season hot. He cooled off a bit after missing a handful of games with mononucleosis and has since gotten hot again. Over his last six games, he has averaged 18.2 points and 5.3 assists. 

F Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State

2023-24 Stats: 24 games, 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds. 1.2 assists, 39.5% 3P

Milan Momcilovic has remained a steady scoring threat for the A.P. No. 10 ranked Iowa State team this season. He has started all 24 games and has scored in double-figures in 19 of them. 

F Baye Ndongo, Georgia Tech

2023-24 Stats: 21 games, 11.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 57.7 % FG

Since stepping into Georgia Tech’s starting lineup, Baye Ndongo has brought a steady force around the rim. He is leading the team in rebounds and blocks and is currently in second in points. 

G Jackson Shelstad, Oregon

2023-24 Stats: 20 games, 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds. 2.2 assists, 36.1% 3P

Jackson Shelstad has started 18 of the 20 games he has played this season. While his numbers have hit a dip in Pac-12 play, Oregon is currently third in the conference and Shelstad leads the team in assists and is third in scoring.