The college basketball season tips off today and we wanted to take a look at some of the talented freshman that we’ve had the opportunity to watch grow and develop over the years. So with that being said here’s five potential impact freshman to keep your eyes on this season…
Note – Listed in alphabetical order
Reece Beekman – 6’3 – PG – Virginia
The Scotlandville Magnet (LA) and Phenom University standout won’t get the same burn as a few others in the early days of the season but Beekman is a potential NBA 1st round pick in his own right when he gets to that level. An exceptional lead guard with poise, vision, handles, and an outstanding ability to create and make things easy for his teammates, Beekman is a lethal combination of size, length, skill, and unselfishness making him perfect for Head Coach Tony Bennett and Virginia. He can break down opposing guards off the bounce to finish at the rim and he has the ability to hit the pull-up and knock down the trey ball as well. Defensively he has great instincts and length and he is extremely disruptive on that end of the floor. Expect him to be a huge contributor for Virginia this season.
Nimari Burnett – 6’3 – PG – Texas Tech
A plus length lead guard with exceptional handles and vision, Burnett lets the game come to him and he is dual threat in that he has the length and size to be a versatile dominant defender, something that fits the Texas Tech culture perfectly. His range extends beyond the arc, he can create in half court sets and transition, and he has nice size and length to collect rebounds and fill the box score. Originally from Chicago, Burnett finished up at Prolific Prep (CA) and with Team WhyNot during the travel season. Expect big things from him in Lubbock this season.
Jonathan Davis – 6’4 – SG – Wisconsin
A powerfully athletic wing from LaCrosse Central (WI) and WI PGC, Davis can score in a variety of ways. He one of the best pure athletes to hit Wisconsin in the past couple of decades and he projects as an immediate impact player for the Badgers this season. His size, length, and strength make him a difficult cover and he has the ability to score at all three levels while having high level impact potential on the defensive end of the floor. He’s a tough competitor with a football type mentality who fills a desperate need at Wisconsin in terms of explosive athleticism and versatility. He projects out as a potential NBA draft pick as well and he should be an immediate impact player for Wisconsin this season.
Jalen Johnson – 6’9 – G/F – Duke
The Nicolet (WI) and Phenom University standout is a versatile explosively athletic talent, Johnson is in the mold of former Duke standout Grant Hill and he’s a projected top 10 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. His athleticism pairs with his strength to give him the ability to defend multiple positions on the floor and his vertical leaping ability makes him a potential threat altering and blocking shots as well in help side rotations and beyond. Offensively he’s as gifted an advance passer that’s hit the college ranks in decades and his ability to create and see things before they happen makes him a potential 10 assist guy night in and night out. He excels finishing in transition with highlight reel results and he rebounds well on both ends allowing him to be a triple double type threat when he’s on the floor. He’s shown an ability to score at multiple levels and he’s completely focused and primed for a big year in Durham this season.
Jalen Suggs – 6’4 – G – Gonzaga
The Minnehaha Academy (MN) and Grassroots Sizzle standout is projected to be a top 10 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and for good reason. Equipped with a football like mentality, Suggs is a highly skilled talent with all the grit, toughness, and athleticism you want for an elite guard at the collegiate level. He has the ability to score at all three levels, he can defend multiple positions, and he sees the floor. He embraces the big moment and has shown an ability to deliver when it matters the most at the highest levels of competition so far. He will put up big numbers consistently this season at Gonzaga.