There is always a lot of excitement with new seasons across any sport. Particularly though pro and amateur fans alike are going to be watching college basketball’s newcomers 2022-23 either as a college basketball fan, someone who saw the player in high school or NBA fans waiting to see who may become the next star.
As the college basketball schedule nears, the Duke Blue Devils are a team to keep an eye on. Not only because they are a perennial favorite among college basketball picks, but particularly this year, they have top college basketball’s newcomers 2022-23 because of signing five of the top 27 recruits.
In the era of one-and-done college athletes, freshmen are often the top newcomers, and the recruiting rankings do a large part in forecasting who will be those next stars. Here are college basketball’s newcomers 2022-23 in ranking form.
10. Jalen Washington, North Carolina
- Position: Forward/Center
- Height: 6 foot 9
- Weight: 210 pounds
Washington will be a factor in one of the best NCAAB matchups held twice a year when North Carolina plays Duke. Coming out of Gary West Side, he is an intriguing prospect because he hasn’t seen the court much. He lost two prep seasons due to a shoulder injury and another to a knee injury but saved himself to be healthy for the North Carolina Tar Heels. As a result, the former five-star dropped in recruiting rankings, but he has the ability to extend defenses and defend multiple positions.
9. Jett Howard, Michigan
- Position: Wing
- Height: 6 foot 7
- Weight: 220 pounds
The son of Wolverines coach Juwan Howard is expected to make an immediate impact in Ann Arbor. Howard is a strong shooter and will be a secondary ball handler. He sees the floor well but is best utilized off the ball running off screens. He can defend multiple positions on the perimeter, too.
8. Skyy Clark, Illinois
- Position: Point guard
- Height; 6 foot 3
Weight: 200 pounds
Illinois has transformed its roster off a Big Ten regular season championship last season. With All-American Kofi Cockburn out of the frontcourt, it will be a more athletic team on the floor, which plays to Clark’s strengths. He is a physical guard and is best when he’s looking to score himself, though he’s more than capable of making plays for others. He did suffer a torn ACL in spring 2021 but he’s been playing since January and is expected to compete for the starting point guard spot.
7. Vince Iwuchukwu, Southern Cal
- Position: Center
- Height: 7 foot
- Weight: 220 pounds
Iwuchukwu is a prospect with promise with good size and an athletic ability to alter shots at the rim. He also has a nice jump shot and can stretch it to the 3-point line. He was coveted by some power programs but stayed home in southern California. He is, however, raw and needs to let the game come to him and slow himself down at times. In a few years, he could be a top draft prospect if he develops.
6. Gradey Dick, Kansas
- Position: Wing
- Height: 6 foot 7
- Weight: 195 pounds
Dick’s length is difficult to defend on the wing. Particularly his 3-point touch is what college coaches loved when recruiting him. He can contribute immediately as a floor spacer for a team that likes to run in transition. It’ll also be a bonus in half-court sets. He will need to become more physical to compete defensively.
5. J.J. Starling, Notre Dame
- Position: Point guard
- Height: 6 foot 4
- Weight: 180 pounds
Starling may end up as a lottery pick. He has the physical makeup of a big, physical guard who is ready to compete at the Power Five level. He should surprise folks like Blake Wesley did for the Illinois Fighting Irish a season ago as a physical guard with good speed who can penetrate the paint and create for his teammates.
4. Arterio Morris, Texas
- Position: Point guard
- Height: 6 foot 3
- Weight: 190 pounds
The Dallas native stayed in the Lonestar State to play for the Longhorns. Many believe he’s the top point guard in the class due to his bursts of speed and shiftiness with his ball handling. That allows him to both score for himself and make plays for others. Chris Beardhopes he’s the program-changing player his program needs early in his tenure.
3. Amari Bailey, California-Los Angeles
- Position: Combo guard
- Height: 6 foot 5
- Weight: 190 pounds
Known for being a teammate of Bronny James, Amari Bailey is a physical prospect who will contribute as a two-way player immediately. He still has an opportunity to get even stronger to really hold his own, but he’s an ideal fit for Mick Cronin, which should boost UCLA’s NCAAB odds. Bailey is going to make a lot of plays in transition on offense. He’s quick, strong and can run to the rim. He’ll be slippery off ball screens and can also create with the ball in his hands.
2. Nick Smith, Arkansas
- Position: Combo guard
- Height: 6 foot 4
- Weight: 185 pounds
Smith is staying home to play for Eric Musselman in a system that will utilize his strengths. Musselman’s teams, whether at Nevada or now in Fayetteville, love to run in transition and create as many of possessions as possible. Smith has great size, great speed and even better body control when commanding the offense. He’s also available to play off the ball. He can score at all three levels and is physical when attacking through the paint. He is also a solid passer and will be a strong fit for the Razorbacks.
Honorable Mention
Before getting to No. 1, here are a few other newcomers to know:
Smith’s teammate at North Little Rock, Kel’el Ware, is heading to Oregon; Julian Phillips, a sizable wing, at Tennessee; Mark Mitchell, a forward at Duke; and teammate Kyle Filipowski, a center.
1. Derrick Lively II, Duke
- Position: Center
- Height: 7 foot 1
- Weight: 220 pounds
The consensus five-star recruit is expected to be a top pick in next year’s NBA draft. He could potentially blossom into a two-way star but should be able to make an impact on the defensive end due to his length, sprint speed in running the floor, and athleticism. On offense, he’ll have opportunities in transition and in the screen game while he polishes his post-up opportunities.
For their schools’ sake and the athletes’ sake, let’s hope college basketball’s newcomers 2022-23 pan out and are a joy to watch for however long they’re in the sport.
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