Unfortunately, injuries have been an all-too-common topic among the 2022 graduates. Arkansas Jr.’s Nick Smith, Duke’s Derek Lively II, and Duke’s Daric Whitehead were the three highest-ranked freshmen, but were each suspended with significant losses. injury. But that doesn’t mean the freshmen haven’t excelled this season, it’s just that they weren’t the names we’d expect at the Power 6 conferences.
We have divided all the best players in each league into two different categories:
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Real contenders: Pretty obvious, right? If a player falls into this category, they’ve had a fantastic season, but competition for the coveted Freshman of the Year award is fierce. But they are certainly strong contenders for Freshman of the Year awards at their respective conferences.
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Should include them in the Looking for schedule for now.: You saw the schedule at the end of the NFL season where a random team with 7 wins is included in the Playoffs schedule even though they may not have a realistic chance of making the Big Dance. It might be a bit aggressive, but it will take a lot of effort for players who have been placed in this category to achieve Freshman of the Year because the other stallions were so good.
Let’s dive in.
Real contenders
Cam WhitmoreVillanova: Whitmore has begun to establish himself as one of the best players on the veteran Villanova team, and that’s good for the future of the program. Whitmore is averaging 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 35% from 3-pointers and 53.7% from 2-seconds.
Donovan ClinganConnecticut: Klingan doesn’t play very much (13.8 minutes per game), but he’s one of the most dominant players in the country when he hits the floor. Klingan is averaging 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. With 24.5 points, 17.9 rebounds and 5.8 blocks in 40 minutes, the 7-foot-2, 265-pound center has a ridiculous 24.5 points.
Should enable them on the “Looking for” chart for now:
Alex KarabanConnecticut: The rookie forward is third on the team in scoring with 10.1 points per game. He has 4.2 rebounds per game and shoots 38.6% from center in 28.5 minutes per game.
Real contenders
Keyonte GeorgeBaylor: George ranks third among all freshmen in scoring with 16.9 points per game. He has to share his attention with snipers like LJ Cryer and Adam Flagler, but the veteran guards help him more than hurt him. George’s ability to get to the charity ribbon made the rest of his offensive attack very hard to stop.
Grady DickKansas: Dick came to Kansas with a lot of hype. The five-star freshman lived up to it all. Dick shoots with 43.7% accuracy from three-point range, and the 6-foot-8 forward has a ton of unconventional shots. Dick also cut back on his defensive mistakes.
Should enable them on the “Looking for” chart for now:
Tamin LipseyIowa State: Lipsey has started all 18 games for Iowa State and has the highest assist rate (30.8) of any Power 5 defenseman in the nation and second in the nation behind BYU. Dallin Hall. Lipsey has more assists than losses in all but one game this year.
Milos UzanOklahoma: Uzan became very strong after a slow first month. The 6-foot-4 lead guard helped take the pressure off Oklahoma’s top scorer. Grant Sherfield. Uzan has 22.8 assists, one of the best for a Power 5 freshman defenseman in the country.
Dillon Mitchell, Texas: The Longhorns have so many mouths to feed that Mitchell’s offensive numbers really started to drop during the Big 12 game. But Mitchell is still a hitting guard and rebounder. He is very scary in transit.
Real contenders
Bryce SensaboOhio: Sensabo is the only freshman in the Big Ten who is already the best player on his team. Sensabo is sixth in the Big Ten in scoring with 17.5 points per game, and he has already developed into one of college basketball’s top scorers. He is ranked in the 90th percentile or higher in almost all offensive categories. according to Synergy. Sensabo quickly became an Ohio state earner, and he may not be in Columbus for long.
Jett HowardMichigan: Howard was great for Michigan, hitting 38.2% from center nearly seven times in a game. Howard took on a much larger role as a playmaker following Jelyn Llewellyn’s injury at the end of the season. But Howard has to heal an ankle injury.
Jalen Hood-ScyfinoIndiana: Hood-Scyfino is fourth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 12.5 points per game. Hood-Scifino scored over 40% from downtown, albeit with less volume (3.3 attempts per game). But Hood-Scyfino can play a dime like no other, and Indiana’s offense was nearly five points per 100 possessions better when he was on the floor. To play with Trace Jackson-Davies of course it helps, but Hood-Scyfino had a lot of brilliant moments.
Fletcher RentPurdue: Loyer was the perfect complement to Zach Edie. The sharp-shooting freshman is averaging 12.8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game for the 19-1 Boilermakers. You should think twice before doubling down on Edie when Lauyer is on the floor. The freshman showed serious ice in his veins in late game situations as well.
Real contenders
Kyle Filipovskyduke: Filipovski has developed into one of the best players in the country and a strong leader in the ACC Freshman of the Year race. Filipovski is averaging 15.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. The 6ft 11m big man was supposed to be Duke’s offensive center, which reduced his shooting efficiency a bit, but Filipovski was a dominant and double-double machine.
Judah Mintzsyracuse: Mintz averages 4.5 assists per game for the Oranges, the highest of any ACC rookie. Mintz is averaging 14.9 points per game despite only making six 3-pointers all season. But the freshman from Syracuse was dangerous during the transition, and he is throwing 48% on a two.
Should enable them on the “Looking for” chart for now:
Tyrese Proctorduke: Proctor averages 8.6 points, 2.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game. Proctor may be a marksman, but he has a hard time in the city center. Proctor is very talented at screening, but Filipovski has been Duke’s most dominant freshman this season.
Jay Jay StarlingOur lady: Starling ranks third among ACC freshmen in scoring with 11.8 points per game. But Notre Dame was one of the most unsatisfactory teams in college basketball, so that weakens Starling’s ACC Freshman of the Year case.
Mark Mitchellduke: Mitchell is already one of the elite quarterbacks in the ACC. Mitchell disappointed some really good players like Clemson. Hunter Tyson. Mitchell didn’t have super explosive offensive performances, but he was a winning player.
Real contenders
Adem Bona – I’m Not Afraid (Official Music Video)University of California at Los Angeles: Bona has moments of pure dominance. The big 6-foot-10 man is averaging 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Bona has the second highest block percentage during a Pac-12 game and is a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor. UCLA doesn’t need him to be a star, but Bona turns into a really dangerous weapon over time.
Jordan PopeOregon: Pope leads all qualified Pac-12 freshmen in scoring with 12.3 points per game. He had to take on the tough role of scorer on an understaffed Oregon State team.
Tre White, USC: White…
Source: 247sports.com