1. An Elite Freshman Class for the 2011-12 NCAA Basketball Season
Since there seems to be no end in sight with the NBA lockout, college basketball
offers the safest bet for basketball fans to get their hoops fix this season. A bevy of
talented freshman are flooding the collegiate ranks this season and many will play
just a single year before trading in their college textbooks for a multimillion dollar
contract.
These 15 freshmen will provide the most must-see-TV among the crop of first-year
players:
1. Anthony Davis
Kentucky coach John Calipari offers the latest evidence of his Midas touch on the
recruiting trail with the signing of this impressive 6-foot-10 power forward. Davis
is a versatile player who is a game changer on both ends of the floor. On offense,
he is fast off the dribble and can blow past virutally any defender to get to the
basket. On defense, he has the speed and timing to guard both forwards and guards.
Davis also uses his incredible wingspan to own the boards and block shots at will.
2. Austin Rivers
With his background as the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, there are few
players equipped with a better understanding of the game. Make no mistake.
Rivers also has plenty of talent to draw on. He can score in bunches and possesses
an incredible shooting range. Duke locked him up and the Blue Devils will count
on the 6-foot-4 shooting guard to create plenty of offense for the team during the
upcoming season.
3. Michael Gilchrist
Another big signing for Kentucky. Gilchrist is a small forward who exudes
athleticism. He can flat out dominate in so many areas. It is not a surprise to see
Gilchrist lead his team in scoring, rebounding or assists. Gilchrist has the ability to
make plays virtually anywhere on the court. His specialty is defense. Gilchrist is in
his element when guarding an opponent. He can lock down any player he faces and
no one can pull down more rebounds when Gilchrist is around the basket.
4. Bradley Beal

2. Beal will give the Florida Gators a big boost in their backcourt with what he brings
to the table. He is a 6-foot-4 guard who fits the mold of a prototypical outside
shooter like Ray Allen. Beal knows how to move without the ball. He can drive to
the basket and create his own shot. When he has an open look from outside, he is
money nearly every time.
5. Quincy Miller
Miller has the size and talent to help the Baylor Bears potentially duplicate their
run to the Elite Eight from two seasons ago. The 6-foot-9 forward knows how to
handle the ball like a point guard. He can create shots for his teammates off the
dribble and his shooting range is good for a big man. Miller is also an intelligent
basketball player who is well-grounded in the fundamentals. Baylor will be an
immediate contender for a Big 12 title if he lives up to his promise.
6. James McAdoo
Scoring in bunches is in the genes for McAdoo. His uncle, Bob McAdoo, was a
former NBA rookie of the year who led the league in scoring three straight seasons
from 1974 to 1976. He will follow in his uncle’s footsteps by playing for the North
Carolina Tar Heels. Like his uncle, McAdoo can simply dazzle fans on the
basketball court. He knows how to get to the rim and finish off a shot. More
important for North Carolina will be his defensive prowess. McAdoo is not afraid
to use his 6-foot-8 frame to get out there and block or alter shots.
7. Adonis Thomas
Many talented freshmen have suited up for the Memphis Tigers over the past
decade. Thomas is the latest to sign up with the mid-major power. The 6-foot-6
forward creates all sorts of matchup problems. His speed is better than the average
power forward and his strength and athleticism leave other small forwards in the
dust. Thomas is the type of talent who will make Memphis resemble the teams
Calipari put together in his final years with the program.
8. Marquis Teague
NBA-ready freshman seem to grow on trees for the Kentucky Wildcats. Teague, a
6-foot-2 point guard, is the perfect distributor to get the ball to Anthony Davis and
Michael Gilchrist. His ball-handling skills and quickness are second to none.
Teague can get to the basket with ease and create chances for himself at the free

3. throw line. When he does, look out. His free throw percentage is high enough that
he is almost automatic at the line. Teague is no slouch on defense either. Opposing
guards have a tough time finding a rhythm around him.
9. LeBryan Nash
Based on his versatility alone, Nash is an excellent signing for the Oklahoma State
Cowboys. The 6-foot-7 forward has a variety of weapons in his offensive arsenal.
He can score with his back to the basket. Nash can step back and drain a three-
point shot with ease. He can get out and transition and finish off with a monster
dunk. Nash possesses a brand of athleticism and strength that will help Oklahoma
State get back to where it is an NCAA Tournament team once again.
10. Myck Kabongo
Kabongo adds to the flood of freshman talent landing on the shores of the Big 12.
The 6-foot-2 point guard should help the Texas Longhorns continue their recent
tradition of strong backcourt play. Kabongo is a natural leader. He can read the
floor and make the right decisions at the right times. It is like having a second
coach out there on the floor. Kabonogo is valued for his quickness which makes
him tough to guard on offense and tough to get around on defense. When he gets a
look at the basket, Kabongo knows how to make it count. His three-pointer is
exceptional and he can penetrate a defense and get to the rim with the best of them.
11. Khem Birch
Birch is the perfect match for the rugged style of play that the Pittsburgh Panthers
embrace like many other Big East teams. There is no stopping the 6-foot-9 center
from doing his thing on defense. Birch will cover tons of ground in a short amount
of time. His willingness to be everywhere makes it easy for Birch to get in low and
block one shot after another. His athleticism lets him rule the boards and snag
plenty of rebounds against much larger centers. Birch is also a true low-post scorer.
He can convert passes down low into thundering dunks or snag a rebound for a
nice putback basket.
12. B.J. Young
Young will give the Arkansas Razorbacks plenty of options in the backcourt this
season. The 6-foot-3 guard can either run the offense from the point or play
shooting guard. He has the skill set to excel in both roles. Young can light it up

4. from the perimeter or slash to the rim with equal ease. He is in his elements at
beating opponents off the dribble to create his own shot or simply draining open
jump shots off a pass from a teammate. His ball-handling skills are solid and he
makes good decisions in finding teammates and making the right pass. Young
brings an added dimension as a strong defensive player. He uses his quickness to
stick to opposing players like crazy glue.
13. Cody Zeller
Signing Zeller might just be the medicine the Indiana Hoosiers need to turn their
basketball program around. The 6-foot-11 forward has shown a penchant for
dominance in virtually every area of the game. Zeller can use his size to his
advantage by scoring over smaller forwards and altering their shots on the other
end of the floor. He is good at cleaning up the glass and can run the floor well for a
big man. His arrival could signal that the Hoosiers are finally ready to turn the
corner after the damage done by ex-Indiana coach Kelvin Sampson.
14. P.J. Hairston
Hairston is simply a pure shooter and the North Carolina Tar Heels will benefit
greatly from signing such an explosive offensive presence. The 6-foot-5 shooting
guard may not be at a Jimmer Fredette or Stephen Curry level yet, but he is
definitely the best incoming freshman shooter on paper. Hairston can put it in the
basket over smaller defenders and he can extend defenses with a range that goes
deep beyond the three-point line. Besides being an outside threat, Hairston is
equally dangerous at creating his own shot. He can drive to the rim and get shots to
drop even amid contact from bigger defenders.
15. Josiah Turner
If Turner can deliver on his potential, the Arizona Wildcats have a good shot at
building on last season’s unexpected run to the Elite Eight. The 6-foot-3 point
guard knows how to run a team. He passes the ball like a quarterback. Turner can
operate in tight spaces and slip the ball past defenders to get a pass to an open
teammate. His ability to make smart decisions will come in handy during crunch
time in Pac-12 play. What else will be helpful is his own scoring abilities. Turner
has blazing speed that allows him to blow past defenders and get to the rim. He is
just as comfortable though pulling up from outside and knocking down a shot from
the perimeter.