Luke Winn's Top 10 Instant-Impact Freshmen

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 2, 2006

Luke Winn's Top 10 Instant-Impact Freshmen

Sherron Collins, PG

Collins will be the first guard in reserve for the loaded Jayhawks. He was the nation's No. 2-rated PG (behind UNC's Tywon Lawson) in the class of 2006, and few defenders will be able to stop his dribble penetration.

Tywon Lawson, PG

Though he may not start from the get-go -- vets Bobby Frasor and Wes Miller comprised UNC's first-string backcourt in the Heels' exhibition opener -- Lawson is the Heels' next high-speed floor general. Fellow freshman guard Wayne Ellington could probably crack this list too, but Lawson makes the cut because he has a better shot at joining the first unit.

Brandan Wright, F

Wright, who was rated the nation's No. 1 power forward in the class of 2006 by Scout.com, scored 19 points to lead UNC in its first exhibition win Wednesday. He's an early favorite to start alongside Wooden candidate Tyler Hansbrough in the Heels' frontcourt.

Paul Harris, PG

Harris is a linebacker-sized guard who should handle some point duties for the Orange and create a lot of his own offense off the dribble. If he grabs the starting gig from Josh Wright, Harris will team up with sophomore Eric Devendorf in a dangerous scoring backcourt.

Thaddeus Young, F

Young was picked to be the ACC's top newcomer in preseason media voting -- ahead of all of the members of North Carolina's blue-chip recruiting class. A 6-foot-8 swingman from Memphis, Young is physically ready to contribute from Day One.

Spencer Hawes, C

Hawes returned to practice Wednesday after missing much of October due to arthroscopic knee surgery, but he's expected to be ready for the Huskies' Nov. 12 opener. The Seattle product will be one of the most offensively skilled centers in the nation.

Chase Budinger, SF

Budinger eschewed volleyball -- a sport in which he was the nation's No. 1 prep player and a future Olympian -- to play for the Wildcats. Coach Lute Olson isn't holding back his praise, either: He says Budinger is already further along than 'Zona legend Sean Elliott was when he arrived in 1985.

Hasheem Thabeet, C

Thabeet, a 7-foot-3 specimen from Tanzania, blocked seven shots in the Huskies' first exhibition game. He's still a work in progress on the offensive end but will be a major force in the middle on D.

Greg Oden, C

Oden, who's a near-lock to be the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft, is this college season's biggest question mark. Will his wrist have fully healed in time for the Big Ten season? If so, the Buckeyes will be a top 10 team.

Kevin Durant, F

Longhorns coach Rick Barnes is already calling Durant, a co-MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game, the most talented player he's ever coached. The 6-foot-9 forward, who has drawn comparisons to Kevin Garnett, could instantly be one of the top forwards in the nation.

Luke Winn's Top 10 Instant-Impact Freshmen