Top College Men’s Basketball Freshmen Headed To The NBA

Cooper Flagg, a standing at 6’8″, Duke University forward Cooper Flagg is widely recognized for his versatility and elite defensive skills, solidifying his status as a premier NBA prospect. Flagg delivered an outstanding freshman campaign, leading the Blue Devils with 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His remarkable impact on the court earned him the Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year award—an honor bestowed on only three other freshmen in the award’s 64-year history.

Derik Queen, a 6-foot-10 freshman forward from the University of Maryland, has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft. He made the announcement on April 5 during an appearance on ESPN’s “SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt.” ​In his standout season with the Terrapins, Queen averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds over 36 games. His performance earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors and Associated Press All-America recognition. Notably, he delivered a game-winning shot in a 72-71 victory over Colorado State, propelling Maryland to the Sweet 16. ​Queen is projected to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft, with some mock drafts anticipating him being selected within the top 10 selections.

Khaman Maluach is a 7-foot-2 freshman center from Rumbek, South Sudan, who has made a significant impact on Duke University’s basketball team during the 2024-2025 season. Known for his defensive prowess and shot-blocking ability, Maluach has been a key contributor to the Blue Devils’ success. – A forward at the University of Texas, Maluach’s athleticism and skill set make him a player to watch in the coming years. In his freshman year, Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game, with an impressive field goal percentage of 71.2%. His standout performances include stepping up during the ACC tournament when teammate Cooper Flagg was unavailable, recording 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the championship game against Louisville. ​

 ​Valdez “V.J.” Edgecombe Jr., a freshman guard for the Baylor Bears, has been recognized as one of the top newcomers in college basketball. In March 2025, he was honored as the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, highlighting his standout performance in the conference. Additionally, he earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team and was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, underscoring his significant impact during his inaugural season.

Jase Richardson, a freshman guard for Michigan State, has quickly made a name for himself in college basketball. Standing 6’3″ and weighing 192 pounds, he plays both point guard and shooting guard. Richardson, a four-star recruit, transferred to Michigan State after a successful high school career. In his first season, he started all 28 games, averaging 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and Third-team All-Big Ten honors. Notable performances include a season-high 20 points against Rutgers.Richardson declared for the 2025 NBA Draft after a standout freshman year, continuing the basketball legacy of his father, Jason Richardson, a former Michigan State star and NBA player.

Asa Newell is a 6’9″, 195-pound forward for the Georgia Bulldogs, recognized as a five-star recruit. He started his high school career at Choctawhatchee High School before transferring to Montverde Academy. In his freshman season at Georgia (2024-2025), Newell started all 33 games, averaging 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1 block per game, with a 54.3% field goal percentage. His performance helped lead Georgia to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015, and he earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team.On April 9, 2025, Newell declared for the NBA Draft, where he is projected to be a top 21 pick.

Nique Clifford, a 6’6″, 200-pound guard from Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a standout player for the Colorado State Rams. After earning Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year honors in high school, Clifford played for the University of Colorado, where he started in all 35 games during his junior season, averaging 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. In 2024, he transferred to Colorado State, where he started all 36 games in his senior season. Clifford posted impressive stats, averaging 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game with a field goal percentage of 49.6%. His all-around performance earned him Third-team All-Mountain West honors and helped lead the Rams to a successful season. As of February 2025, Clifford is a potential NBA prospect, with ESPN ranking him as the 69th overall pick and Bleacher Report projecting him as the 28th pick in the first round, selecting him for the Boston Celtics.