10 mid-major freshmen who could make an immediate impact
November 3, 2023 by Max Feldman
The college basketball season starts in less than a week and while we've have the pleasure of watching a few charity exhibition matchups between marquee programs, it all gets real on Monday evening.
The new faces always bring the most intrigue and for this piece, I'll spotlight 10 mid-major freshmen who might impact the game sooner than imagined.
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Jadyn Toppin New Mexico
Toppin finished just outside the Top-100 nationally for us, the highest of any placement in the industry, and that may wind up being too low. The 6-9 F out of Dallas, Texas has produced at a high level each step of the way regardless of setting. A dynamic rim finisher capable of owning the glass and disrupting drivers at the rim. Shouldn't take too long to settle in as the Lobos low post anchor.
Dragos Lungu San Diego
Few mid-major programs brought in as vaunted of a recruiting class as Steve Lavin and the Toreros. Lungu, a 6-6 Romanian guard, has starred both on the FIBA stage and with the NBA Global Academy these past few years, and while lacking strength at this stage, should be ready to step onto the floor rather quick. Exceptionally creative, blends scoring with playmaking, has the ball on a string, mature instincts as a cutter and has shown promising indicators as a shooter. Playing on one of the youngest rosters in the country, Lungu may be one of mid-major basketball's breakout candidates to know.
Tucker Anderson Central Arkansas
Popped as a steal for the Bears from the jump, and should be prove to be one rather quickly. The Centerton, Arkansas native went under-recruited coming out, even after a monster final AAU spring. Extremely skilled with the ball in his hands at 6-9, he generated 19 points (67% 2PT and 39% from 3PT on 7.3 3PA per game) to go with 7 rebounds, 3 stocks and 2 assists per game with AAO Flight. He has a knack for hitting tough shots and thinks the game at an extremely high level. Passed the eye test with flying colors and the numbers match -- UCA got a good one, as Anderson looks in for a big freshman campaign.
Miles Rubin Loyola Chicago
It might not take too long for this one to pop as a steal for the Ramblers, as Rubin has been steadily ascending since the spring of his junior campaign. He's blossomed from an undersized, largely ground-bound big into a versatile 6-10 rim runner with high level athleticism at the A10 level. The Chicago native and former Top-150 prospect fills the duties of a traditional post, owning the glass and finishing around the basket, but has an impressive combination of complementary skills. Elite instincts defending the rim to go with advanced playmaking feel out of the high post and in hand-offs. A prime schematic fit for a prospect that continues to add more to his arsenal. It'd be no surprise to see him wind up as one of the conference's most impactful freshman.
Desmond White Austin Peay
White was previously a part of a very strong 2023 class headed to George Mason prior to Kim English taking the PC job, but eventually opened up his recruitment and landed with the Governors. Between his final EYBL campaign with BBE and senior season at TSF, the 6-2 guard showed big flashes as a combo guard. A very high level pull-up shooter capable of making plays for others getting downhill and fitting in around other scorers when need be, there's recipe for a breakout if he continues to add strength as well as consistency at the rim. One to track in the ASUN.
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