The Ten Most Impactful Freshmen in the SEC for the 2023-24 Season

It is SEC week here at On3, and we keep the content rolling with the 2023-24 basketball season previews. Freshmen can be an interesting thing to predict. There are a lot of variables that take place when transitioning from high school to college basketball. Everything from the speed and physicality to the processing takes time to adjust.

In this piece, I look at the true freshmen in the SEC this upcoming season. So players who redshirted last season, like Freddie Dilione (Tennesee), Davin Cosby (Alabama), or Robert Cowherd (Ole Miss) were not eligible for this piece. The conference, as a whole, pretty equally emphasized recruiting impact players from the transfer portal and the 2023 high school class. Between them, the 14 SEC teams added 49 players via the transfer route while bringing in 47 true freshmen.

This list is not of the best player or the highest upside player; it is based on the potential impact of the player. Opportunity is a big factor here, but so is talent.

SEC Basketball Preseason Power Rankings

Let’s take a look at the ten impact freshmen in the SEC for the upcoming season.

1. G DJ Wagner, Kentucky

The Buzz: DJ Wagner carries an alpha mentality. That is something that, no matter the setting, he has maintained. Kentucky brought in seven freshmen and a grad transfer to this team. Wagner will get the opportunity to have the ball in his hands and make things happen. Wagner, whose dad Dajuan Wagner, and grandfather Milt Wagner both played in the McDonald’s All-American game, was the first third-generation player selected for that game. 

2. F Justin Edwards, Kentucky 

The Buzz: Justin Edwards is a connecting player who simply finds himself around the ball. Offensively, he can knock down the elbow jumper and is an excellent off-ball cutter. Defensively, he slides his feet well, anticipates, and plays in the passing lanes. Throughout his career, things have seemed to move smoother when Edwards has been on the floor. Kentucky welcomes eight new players (seven freshmen) to a Kentucky team that returns zero starters. A lot of playing time should be available. 

3. G Silas Demary, Georgia

The Buzz: Silas Demary came in less heralded than some of the other freshmen in the conference, but it bears noting that the four-star was 81-8 over his final three years in high school. The early word from Athens is that Demary has been good. Do not be surprised if he earns starter’s minutes this season. He was one of the better perimeter defenders during the 2023 recruiting cycle.

4. G Aden Holloway, Auburn

The Buzz: Aden Holloway came to Auburn is a lot of buzz. He was ranked among the top 30 players in his class across the board and he was a McDonald’s All-American. With Auburn losing Wendell Green and Zep Jasper from last year’s team, both starting guard spots have been vacated. Holloway has deep shooting range, a lot of confidence, and a crafty handle. How he defends and his decision-making will ultimately be what determines how much he is on the floor, but opportunity and expectations are certainly in place.

5. F Jarin Stevenson, Alabama

The Buzz: Jarin Stevenson chose Alabama over North Carolina and then decided that he would classify from the 2024 class into the 2023 class. The early word coming out of Tuscaloosa is that Stevenson has been impressive. Alabama returns only one starter while losing all three of its starting frontcourt from last year’s 31-win team. Stevenson will have the opportunity to step into starter’s minutes as the Crimson Tide look to defend their SEC regular season and tournament championships. 

6. F Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina

The Buzz: Collin Murray-Boyles was one of the most consistently productive players on the NIBC last season. His instincts really shined. Murray-Boyles reportedly dropped 20 pounds last season, which allowed his athleticism to show. He has a natural touch and really understands angles, both in the half-court and around the basket. He is going to a South Carolina team that returns only one full-time starter from last year’s team. The opportunity is there to earn starters minutes. 

7. C Aaron Bradshaw, Kentucky

The Buzz: Aaron Bradshaw would be higher on this list if not for a foot injury that has him out to start the season. The exact timetable of Bradshaw’s return is still publicly up in the air. When on the floor, Bradshaw has a smooth jump shot with range that extends beyond the three-point arc. He switches ends of the court quickly and protects the rim with natural timing and length. When he returns from injury, there should be an opportunity for the McDonald’s All-American to earn minutes. 

8. F Sam Walters, Alabama

The Buzz: Sam Walters committed to Alabama the day after his official visit to Tuscaloosa. While he was a four-star recruit across the board, Walters did not carry much buzz. Early returns from Tuscaloosa are very promising. Walters is a lefty with size and skill. He is able to push the break and can stretch the floor with range. Alabama returns only one starter and welcomes eight new players to the roster. Even if not starting, playing time is available for Walters who is a very nice fit into Alabama’s system.

9. G Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State

The Buzz: Josh Hubbard was Mississippi’s Gatorade Player of the Year and ended his high school career as Mississippi’s all-time leading scorer with 4,367 career points. Mississippi State returns all of its starters from last year’s 21-win team, and they brought in touted graduate transfer Andrew Taylor. However, Hubbard is the type of talent that could be difficult to keep off the floor. He has the opportunity to earn early minutes and grow as the season progresses. 

10. C Alex Condon, Florida

The Buzz: Alex Condon comes from the Global NBA Academy program based in Australia. Listed at 6-foot-11, Condon is a former Australian Football star, who recently chose to focus strictly on basketball. Condon has a soft touch, able to score over both shoulders or stretch the floor. He has some toughness on the boards, timing around the basket, and fluidity in his movements. Florida brought Micah Handlogten and Tyrese Samuel from the transfer portal, but minutes are available as the Gators lost all five front-court players who started games last season.