Between the transfer portal giving coaches an avenue to land proven producers and the rise of “super seniors” armed with an extra year of eligibility due to the 2020-21 pandemic, the influence of freshmen in college basketball has waned over the past few years. But even if the not-so-distant “one and done” glory days of Duke’s 2015 national title are evaporating, there is still a place for the diaper dandies in college basketball.
If anything, fewer freshmen in the spotlight makes the ones who do manage to shine seem particularly special. Among those who popped in the 2022-23 season were a pair of forwards in Alabama’ Brandon Miller and Duke’s Kyle Filipowski. Miller led the Crimson Tide to their first-ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and became the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft. Filipowski helped Duke win an ACC Tournament title and chose to return to anchor the Blue Devils again this season.
As we turn our attention to the 2023-24 season, it’s time to take a good look this year’s incoming freshman class. For this week’s edition of the dribble handoff, our writers are identifying which freshman they are most excited to watch in the season ahead.
DJ Wagner, Kentucky
My professional career started at The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis, where I spent my first year helping Zack McMillan on the University of Memphis basketball beat during the 2001-02 season. That year was highlighted by the arrival of five-star freshman Dajuan Wagner, who was expected to make John Calipari’s Tigers Final Four contenders. Now, as I get ready to begin my 23rd season covering the sport, I’m most excited to watch Dajuan’s son, DJ Wagner, play for the same coach at a different school.
Time flies and all that.
It is strange to reach the age where I’m now writing about the children of athletes I previously covered — but it’s also cool to be in this position. I am on the verge of watching a third-generation…
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