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It took just one game for several top recruits to make a name for themselves in NCAA men’s basketball.
While it is too early to put too much weight into some of these performances, it should also go without saying that playing well in your first regular-season game at the next level is only a good thing. For many former high school stars, that moment takes some time or it never comes at all.
You probably already know names like Cooper Flagg as well as Rutgers teammates Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper (who have not yet played). But there are some other players you should now have on your radar as well.
Yet a few notable names around the NCAA were able to make an immediate impact, standing out among other talented young players in the college ranks. As we begin our 2025 NBA Draft coverage, here are a few of the most notable debuts we saw:
1. Tre Johnson
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Among the projected top-10 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, none looked better during their first NCAA game than Texas freshman Tre Johnson. He scored 29 points (10-of-20 FG, 5-of-11 3P) while also adding 5 rebounds, 4 assists to just 1 turnover, 2 steals, and 1 block. Even though Texas lost the game, Johnson looked difficult to stop in transition and used off-ball screens to sink 3-pointers.
2. Will Riley
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While he was considered more of a fringe one-and-done candidate before the season began, Canada’s Will Riley had a stellar debut for Illinois off the bench. He finished with a remarkable and efficient 31 points (10-of-13 FG, 5-of-6 3P) with 7 rebounds (including four offensive) and 3 assists. Riley was able to create multiple second-chance opportunities for himself and he also looked like an elite spot-up threat. His teammate, Kasparas Jakucionis, was also outstanding.
3. Derik Queen
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After playing alongside Cooper Flagg at Montverde Academy last season, freshman big man Derik Queen now projects as one of the best big…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/6-freshmen-kon-knueppel-dominated-152545722.html
Author : FTW Outdoors
Publish date : 2024-11-05 15:25:00
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