Andy Katz ranks top-20 impact freshmen in college basketball

On3 imageby:Jonathan Wagner01/23/22

Jonathan Wagner

College basketball has been as unpredictable as ever this season. There have been upsets consistently pretty much every day. With conference play well underway, FOX college basketball analyst Andy Katz has revealed his tiered list for the top impact freshman across the nation at this point in the season.

Katz’ top-20 impact freshmen in college basketball: Tier 1

1. Jabari Smith, Auburn

2. Paolo Banchero, Duke

3. Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga

4. TyTy Washington, Kentucky

5. Blake Wesley, Notre Dame

Smith has played a huge role in Auburn’s surge to the top of the nation this season. He is averaging 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists through 19 games this season as a key part of Auburn’s game. Banchero is also playing a big role on Duke’s team, playing 30.9 minutes per game. He is scoring 17.9 points per game, also averaging 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Holmgren is also a key part of Gonzaga’s team this season. He is scoring 13.6 points per game with 8.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 3.4 blocks as a solid force on the interior. Washington is currently dealing with an injury, but is averaging 13.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists in over 30 minutes per game. Wesley has broken out in a big way, scoring 15 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists for Notre Dame.

Top impact freshman in college basketball: Tier 2

6. Max Christie, Michigan State

7. JD Davison, Alabama

8. Chucky Hepburn, Wisconsin

9. Kennedy Chandler, Tennessee

10. Trevor Keels, Duke

Christie, Chandler, and Keels have each been in the starting lineup in every game they’ve played in this season for Michigan State, Tennessee, and Duke, respectively. All three of those players are also scoring in double figures. Davison has turned into a valuable piece for Alabama, usually coming off of the bench. Hepburn has also started every game for Wisconsin and has provided a nice spark at the point for the Badgers.

Tier 3

11. Jalen Duren, Memphis

12. Harrison Ingram, Stanford

13. Bryce McGowens, Nebraska

14. Malaki Branham, Ohio State

Duren is a big force on the interior for Memphis. Despite the Tigers’ struggles this season, Duren has established himself as one of the top freshmen in all of college basketball. Ingram has done the same for Stanford, as have McGowens and Branham for Nebraska and Ohio State.

Tier 4

15. Daron Holmes, Dayton

16. Moussa Diabate, Michigan

17. Emoni Bates, Memphis

18. Kendall Brown, Baylor

19. Terquavion Smith, NC State

20. Malachi Smith, Dayton

Dayton cracks Tier 4 twice, with both Holmes and Smith making the cut. Memphis also grabs its second honor, as Bates comes in just a few spots behind his Tigers teammate. Diabate, Brown, and Smith have all turned into valuable pieces on Michigan, Baylor, and NC State.