College Basketball: Week 4 Freshman Power Rankings

We are about a month into the college basketball season with most teams having between six and nine games under their belts. Every other week the plan is to update the power ranking of freshman in college basketball. This list looks at the players who are having the biggest effect on the sport through their in-season play.

It should come as no surprise that Isaiah Collier and Ja’Kobe Walter remain at the top of the list. Reed Sheppard has created quite the stir over the past two weeks that was capped off by 21 points in a blowout win over Miami followed by a 26-point outburst in a loss to UNC-Wilmington in his last two games.

Read College Basketball Freshman Power Ranking 1.0

Into the 10: G Reed Sheppard (Kentucky), G Malik Mack (Harvard), F Cody Williams (Colorado), G Sebastian Mack (UCLA), G Josh Hubbard (Mississippi State)

Out of the 10: F Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State), F Jarin Stevenson (Alabama), G Andrej Stojakovic (Stanford), G Aden Holloway (Auburn), G DJ Wagner (Kentucky)

Let’s discuss the top ten freshmen in college basketball, so far in the 2023-24 season.

Just Missed 

F JT Toppin (New Mexico) – JT Toppin is an active, 6-foot-9 forward for a 7-1 New Mexico team. The freshman is second on the team in rebounds (7.5) and leads the way in blocks (1.6). He is also averaging 12.3 points and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 71.9 percent from the floor. The 2023 On3 150 forward is having quite the impact and is flying mostly under the radar early in the season.

1. G Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor

The Buzz: Ja’Kobe Walter started the year off quickly, putting up three 20-plus point games in his first five. Even with his scoring totals falling off a little in his last three, the 6-foot-5 guard still leads the undefeated Bears in scoring (14.9) and steals (1.5). At 8-0, Baylor is currently ranked No. 6 in the current A.P. Poll. They will next play Seton Hall in the Big 12-Big East Challenge.

2. G Isaiah Collier, USC

The Buzz: Isaiah Collier started the season on fire, and he has continued his production through USC’s first eight games. Collier is the Trojans’ second-leading scorer (17.3) while his 4.5 assists lead the way. The point guard is currently shooting 40.0 percent (8-20) from three on the season. Collier will need to amp up his efficiency, but USC is currently 5-3 while flirting with the top-25 throughout the early part of the season.

3. G Reed Sheppard, Kentucky

The Buzz: The buzz around Reed Sheppard has continued to grow throughout the season. There is a strong conversation to be had around Sheppard being one of the most efficient guards in the country to this point. Coming off the bench, the 6-foot-3 freshman is averaging 13.9 points while shooting 61.1 (22-36) percent from three and dishing out 3.9 assists to 1.5 turnovers per game. Sheppard has played a calming role for a team that finds themselves at No. 16 in the current A.P. Poll. 

4. G Malik Mack, Harvard

The Buzz: Malik Mack was not on many watch lists, including mine, to start the season. However, nine games in and the 6-foot-1 guard has scored over 15 points in seven games and over 20 in five. In games this season against UMass, Boston College, and Indiana, Mack is averaging 25.7 points and 5.0 assists while shooting 55.6 percent (10-18) from three. Mack is a quick-twitch guard who has Harvard currently sitting at 6-3 on the season. Army, Holy Cross, and Iona are the next three. 

5. F Cody Williams, Colorado

The Buzz: The season started a little slow for Cody Williams, but he has picked it up quickly over his last four. Colorado, who has flirted with the top 25 this season, is currently 6-2. Over their last four games, the team is 2-2, Williams has averaged 17.8 points while shooting 71.4 percent (5-7) from three and 68.3 percent (28-41) from the field. Next up for Colorado is No. 15 ranked Miami in the NABC Brooklyn Showcase.

6. G Carlton Carrington, Pittsburgh

The Buzz: Carlton Carrington came out of the gates with a bang. A triple-double, followed by three games of 18 and four, 19 and seven, and 17 and four. At a lengthy 6-foot-5, Carrington has an intriguing frame for a lead guard. His numbers have varied since that four-game start, but he is still leading the team in assists (5.9) while sitting in Pittsburgh’s top five in rebounds (5.4) and points (14.6). The Panthers are 5-3 on the season with a Wednesday game against West Virginia up next.

7. G Robert Dillingham, Kentucky

The Buzz: Robert Dillingham plays at a pace not many throughout the college basketball landscape can match. The 6-foot-2 guard comes off the bench for Kentucky, and he puts relentless pressure on the paint. Dillingham still can be mistake-prone, and he has only played over 25 minutes, or more, in regulation once this season. But there is no denying the impact he has instantly on his team. Dillingham is leading the Wildcats in assists (5.4) and is second in steals (1.5) despite coming off the bench. He is also the top player in the rotation in points per 40 (23.7). Kentucky is ranked No. 16 in the recent A.P. Poll and, after a seven-day layoff, they will next play Penn in the Malone’s Classic. 

8. G Stephon Castle, UConn

The Buzz: Stephon Castle started the season strong, but fell to a knee injury after two games. In those two games, Castle showed how he is capable of fitting into a well-oiled machine. He played well alongside Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton, scoring when needed, moving the ball when asked, as well as defending and rebounding as a 6-foot-6, 215-pound guard. Castle is scheduled to return to the lineup soon, possibly even when the Huskies play UNC in the Jimmy V Classic. 

9. G Sebastian Mack, UCLA

The Buzz: Sebastian Mack has been able to find the bucket early and often this season with UCLA. Even in a freshman class that brought a lot of hype, it has been Mack who is outperforming the lot. The 6-foot-3 guard has started six of the Bruins’ seven games. He is also leading the team in scoring (14.7) and steals (1.9) while adding 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists. UCLA is currently 5-2 and has a matchup with Villanova on Saturday.

10. G Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State

The Buzz: Josh Hubbard came to Mississippi State as Mississippi’s all-time leading high school scorer. And in his eight games in Starkville, he has gotten buckets. The 5-foot-10 guard is coming off the bench, and in only 22.5 minutes per game, he is leading Mississippi State in scoring (16.0) while shooting 38 percent from three. Mississippi State snuck into the A.P. Poll the last go around, before dropping back-to-back games, but the Bulldogs will look to get back on track at the Holiday Hoopsgiving this weekend against Tulane.