Basketball is an unusual sport. While there is decent coverage for established players, the freshmen despite their brilliant performances are sometimes not given enough credit. But there is no rule stating that only experience can perform magnificently. At times skills and game awareness eclipse experience.

A close look into the top 5 freshmen will not only stun readers but also get the athletes the limelight they deserve. Additionally, there are freshmen who have been exceptionally good this season such that they are competing with experienced players for the major NPOY awards.

Reed Sheppard, Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats freshman Reed Sheppard has been a surprise package this season. Though, the four-star recruit was expected to perform well this season, what makes him special is that he has stood out in the Wildcats’ lineup. The freshman guard has performed exceptionally well in all three departments of rebounds, points, and assists.

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His noteworthy performances have come during the loss against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks when he put up a resilient show, potting 25 points in the game. In the same game, he also tried to save his team by nabbing 9 rebounds. Furthermore, in his last game against the Lousiville Cardinals, he took up a different role and helped with 11 assists. Overall, Sheppard has a decent average of 12.6 points per game with 4.6 rebounds per match and 4.3 assists per contest. It is due to players like him that the Kentucky is positioned at the 8th spot in the men’s basketball AP Polls and are one of the chief frontrunners for this year’s NCAA.

Isaiah Collier, USC Trojans

Though, the University of Southern California Trojans have had a bumpy ride this season, their freshman Isaiah Collier can not be ignored. With an average 6-5 record, the Trojans are currently making adjustments to their team. Collier was a consensus five-star recruit and had been knocking on the doors of the limelight ever since his high school. He occupies the second spot in the team’s point leaderboard with 16.1 points per contest. Playing the second fiddle to another guard Boogie Ellis, the 19-year-old has helped with 4.3 assists per game.

His noteworthy performances have come against the UC Irvine and the Brown Bears. In both games, he basketed 23 and 24 points respectively. Adding more credibility to his stats, Collier has shown brilliant shooting skills with 49.2% field goal percentage and 69.1% free throw percentage. His three-pointer percentage could improve since he has only potted 30.3% three-pointer percentage. Hopefully, the USC will perform better as the season progresses and prove their worth.

Robert Dillingham, Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky have brought another freshman Rob Dillingham to the spotlight. This season in terms of freshmen has been the Kentucky’s year. Dillingham has played the second fiddle to perfection, providing his team with an average of 4.3 assists per game. He has also contributed with his scoring skills, besotting an average of 14.2 points per game only next to their top scorer Antonio Reeves. 

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His memorable performances came against the Kansas Jayhawks and the Miami Hurricanes. In a losing cause against the Kansas, Dillingham dropped 18 points whereas against the Hurricanes he soused 12 points.

However, he fell short of a double-double as he could only contribute with 9 assists. Nonetheless, it has been his highest assists game for the season till now. If the Kentucky are to perform well in the knockouts, it will be due to their freshmen power and Dillingham does deserve more opportunities in clutch moments.

Juju Watkins, USC Trojans

The USC Trojans women’s basketball team has given one of the best freshmen in the years to come. Watkins has played the pivotal role in propelling her team to an undefeated 10-0 tally. She leads the team’ stats in three departments – points scored, assists, and steals average. Her performances have been so exceptional that currently she has an average of 26.8 points per game and stands second to the Iowa Hawkeyes’ star Caitlin Clark in this year’s women’s basketball tally.

Watkins is also regarded as a threat to Clark’s major National Player of the Year award. Other than that, she has succored with 3.9 assists per game and 2.6 steals per contest. She is one of the most complete freshmen in the NCAA’s both men’s and women’s league. If the Trojans clinch the title this year, it will be due to Watkins’ dominance.

MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina Gamecocks

The South Carolina Lady Gamecocks have an 11-0 record which wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of their freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley. Fulwiley has been the other standout freshman in the women’s league apart from Watkins. The Trojans’ guard has impressed all with her buzzer-beating shots. Overall, she averages a whopping 12.1 points in the 11 games she has played so far along with 3 rebounds per match and 2.9 assists per game.

Her season-high scores of 18 points have come against the Clemson Tigers and the Presbyterian Blue Hose. The Columbia-born has an exceptional 48.1% field goal percentage and 75% free throw percentage. She has also shown her prowess in three-pointers shooting a decent 31.7%. Going forward Fulwiley will assume a key role in the important matches and riding on her heroics, the Trojans can be top contenders for the NCAA 2023-24 title.

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