Top 10 SEC Freshman In 2023-24
People have called this 2023 freshman class a lot of different things. After all, it is truly one of the worst freshman classes in a little while. However, within the class, there is a pretty long list of guys that could play impactful minutes next year and fill a role for a team. With the SEC having some of the top-end talents in the class, the question remains if they have depth. NOTE: This list only includes incoming freshmen and does not contain early enrollees.
Notable Admissions:
- J.P. Estrella, Tennessee
- Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
- Silas Demary Jr., Georgia
10. Corey Chest, LSU
Link Academy has become a factory that feeds right into the SEC, and it's easy to see why. In just a couple of seasons, Link has shown the ability to recruit athletes, and the SEC coaches love that. Corey Chest is no different. Chest won't be the featured offensive player for LSU next season, nor was he one of the featured offensive guys at Link. However, his athleticism gives him a pretty high defensive floor, and in class where not many guys are going to be focal points on offense as freshmen, Chest being able to defend both on the perimeter and at the rim could be helpful for an LSU team expected to finish in the bottom half of the league.
9. Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State
Josh Hubbard being on this list might be a surprise to some. Hubbard is a small guard, listed at just 5-10, and his being ranked so low could be due to his size. It could also be due to the competition he played against, as Hubbard wasn't at some big private or prep school. Regardless, there is room for Hubbard to come in and make an offensive impact next season for Chris Jans. The Bulldogs will return a handful of players in the backcourt, and while we know they'll be able to defend, they need a spark on the other end of the floor. At 5'10, Hubbard, in year one, can be effective as a shot creator and driver even against SEC competition. He'll have his limitations defensively, but Jans' system and development can turn Hubbard into a guy that can force turnovers.
8. Aaron Bradshaw, Kentucky
I think recruiting sites are overcompensating on some centers for the 2023 class. What I mean is that some of the bigs are ranked way higher than they should be simply because these sites need to find some higher spots for the bigs in the class. Aaron Bradshaw is one of those examples. It's easy to see why recruiting services like Bradshaw. He's a seven-footer that can stretch the floor and good movement. In an organized half-court offense, he could end up being an effective player. My concern with Bradshaw is where he's going to make an impact outside of stretching the floor. Bradshaw only weighs 207 pounds, according to 247Sports. Last season, Dereck Lively, who was the top big in the class, weighed 220 pounds coming into Duke and put on additional weight once he got there. Against the high-major competition, I'm afraid post-ups will be able to get position on him inside easily. Plus, on the offensive end, Kentucky has a handful of perimeter options.
7. Baye Fall, Arkansas
I have similar concerns about Baye Fall's weight that I have with Bradshaw. Fall is only listed at 205 pounds and is an inch or two shorter than Bradshaw. What separates the two for me is Fall is a better perimeter defender. A big that can come into college already fantastic in ball screen coverage is extremely valuable. Fall doesn't have to be this superstar player at Arkansas. As a freshman, he will very likely be a role player and a good one. He won't be this offensive power that Bradshaw could end up being, but his defensive floor Fall above Bradshaw for me. Eric Musselman runs a great program that has won many games over the last three years. I trust him to get Fall in the best position possible.
6. Aden Holloway, Auburn
Is Aden Holloway the most visually pleasing player in the class? Other than maybe Rob Dillingham, Holloway is the most fun player, not just in the SEC but in the 2023 class. However, don't fall for just the flash. There's a lot more to Holloway's game than just the glamor and fanciness. If Holloway could reach his peak next year, there's a chance he can be the best point guard in the class. His range from three and ability to create his shot is up there with the best guards in the class. It's playing out of control that could end up being Holloway's downfall. When watching the six-foot point guard, it's not difficult to process that he is a Bruce Pearl guard. He's not tall; he's pretty quick and has a ton of range. However, as good as guys like Jared Harper and Wendell Green were, they had their downsides. Pearl getting Holloway to play within himself will be a huge factor in determining how much success he has.
5. Rob Dillingham, Kentucky
The other flashy point guard in the class is headed to Lexington. There's no sugarcoating it: Rob Dillingham is a human highlight reel. The dude will 'wow' you multiple times in a game every time he takes the floor. If John Calipari can get these other freshmen to play off of Dillingham's creativity, this Kentucky class could fit well together. While Dillingham does have a super high ceiling, there are certainly some risks with him. He needs to improve defensively, although his body indicates he will be able to get better. There's also the chance, with how flashy he is, simply a human turnover. What if college players can contain him? The real risk, though, is whether he can fit in at Kentucky. The Cats have a very good on-ball player in D.J. Wagner, who will have the ball in his hands. Is there a chance Dillingham will have to play off the ball, and is he capable of doing that?
4. Cameron Carr, Tennessee
In a class that is overall pretty weak in terms of top-end talent, if you have one super elite skill that will translate, that will move you up rankings. Cameron Carr has been on my radar as a top 20 overall player in the class ever since I saw him play for Link Academy in December. This was mainly just because I thought his game fits what Tennessee needed. For those that haven't seen too much of him yet, Carr might wind up being the best stand-still shooter in the class. He's got a super smooth stroke and a quick release to match it. While Tennessee is loaded at the guard/wing spots, Carr's shooting is a skill the team desperately needs so getting him into the rotation could be necessary for Rick Barnes.
3. Justin Edwards, Kentucky
Edwards was my No. 1 ranked 2023 recruit in the country for most of the last summer and most of his senior season. I don't think Edwards has gotten worse, and I don't even think many guys have passed him skill-wise. The drop in rankings for Edwards, for me personally, is now that we have to evaluate him not just as a prospect but for his anticipated role next year at Kentucky. Don't get me wrong, Edwards will be an impactful offensive player next season in Lexington. He can knock down perimeter shots and is super explosive. He'll be effective in transition, both spotting up and rim running. On the defensive end, Edwards will make an impact despite the need for a bigger frame. He's long enough to be a good denier of the basketball that will likely lead to deflections and steals. His athleticism should also allow him to be a good rim protector against other wings as well as be able to recover well.
2. Layden Blocker, Arkansas
I don't understand national recruiting sites' evaluations for Layden Blocker. 247's final update had him at No. 52 in the country! Blocker is a high-motor point guard that played at Sunrise Christian. My main thing about Blocker is just how few weaknesses he actually has, in addition to all the things he does well. Blocker is the best primary handler Arkansas has next season and is probably their best all-around guard. Blocker makes reads at a high level now, so moving him down in rankings after the progression he showed this season was confusing. He does a good job defensively sliding his feet and can turn defense into offense better than anyone in the class. If you want to throw out a critique, his shooting could use some work, especially on the move.
1. D.J. Wagner, Kentucky
Wagner is another player whose rankings slide didn't make sense. I think, if anything, Wagner proved he was the best player in this Kentucky class. He should be the featured player next year in John Calipari's offense, even if Oscar Tshiebwe were to return. For a guy that is as good as Wagner, it's often weird to say that it isn't a super physical tool that makes him as good as he is. Don't get me wrong, Wagner's athleticism is solid, but his basketball ability and motor make him my top-ranked SEC player in this class. Wagner's will is impressive for a kid that hasn't played in a college game yet. He will bring it to both ends of the floor, night in and night out. On the offensive end, getting downhill and changing speeds is what Wagner does best. He is a guy that needs the ball in his hands, but given the type of offense Kentucky typically plays, that should bode well for him.
You Might Also Like
- How Darnell Wright Fits Chicago's Long-Term Plans
- Spring Prospects: Brodie McWhorter
- Jalyn Crawford Cuts List Down
Join the community:
Follow Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.
