Three Wildcats rank in ESPN's Top Freshmen for 2016-17

De'Aaron Fox leads the three Wildcats ranked in ESPN's top 25 freshmen for the 2016-17 season. Fox ranks fifth on the list, trailing uncommitted Josh Jackson, Duke's Harry Giles, Lonzo Ball of UCLA and Duke's Jason Tatum.

5. De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky Wildcats Whoever plays point guard for John Calipari's team tends to have an enormous impact on the college basketball season -- whether they struggle or excel. Calipari is obviously hoping for the latter with Fox, a blur of a point guard who is more in the mold of John Wall than Tyler Ulis. If Ulis keeps his name in the NBA draft, though, Fox will likely get the ball from Day 1 and run the show. He's one of the best on-ball defenders at his position and gets from one end to the other faster than pretty much any point guard in the country. His jump shot remains a question -- but perhaps the only question. He's a stud. [ESPN]

Bam Adebayo also made the list, four spots down from Monk at No. 9:

9. Bam Adebayo, Kentucky Wildcats Calipari eventually figured out the personnel for this past season's Wildcats, but they never had someone in the mold of Adebayo. Derek Willis was a player who could stretch the floor, Marcus Lee brought length and shot-blocking, and Skal Labissiere's struggles are well-documented. What they needed was a motor guy who would compete for rebounds for 40 minutes at both ends of the floor. That player is Adebayo. He has a strong upper body and a nose for the ball, and is outstanding running the floor in transition. Adebayo also improved his touch and face-up game as his high school career progressed. Calipari will love to have him in the fold. [ESPN]

Malik Monk makes three at No. 11:

11. Malik Monk, Kentucky Wildcats Monk will immediately become one-half of the most athletic backcourt in college basketball, alongside Fox. He's a freak athlete who is unstoppable in transition and also possesses deep -- albeit streaky -- range on his jumper. Monk has also improved his ball-handling and playmaking ability and is difficult to handle off the dribble. It will be interesting to see what happens if Isaiah Briscoe returns to Lexington for his sophomore season; Monk and Briscoe can play together on the wing, as they bring vastly different skill sets, but it's something to watch. I'm already excited at the thought of Fox and Monk running a fast break. [ESPN]

Marques Bolden and Jarrett Allen rank No. 18 and 22, respectively. See the entire list ESPN]">here.