SECOND TEAM
VJ Edgecombe (Photo: Kevin Abele, Getty)
VJ Edgecombe, Baylor guard: After getting off to a bit of a slow start, Edgecombe showed why he was ranked fifth in the class of 2024. An athletic and elusive shooting guard, Edgecombe went through several extended stretches of game play where no Big 12 defense could keep him from getting to the rim. He was a pretty easy choice for Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Edgecombe has tremendous potential as a perimeter defender and proved to be a better playmaker for others than expected.
Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma guard: Like Flagg, Fears should have been playing high school basketball this season. And much like Johnson, his fellow SEC freshman star, Fears is the chief reason why his team is sniffing the NCAA Tournament. Sure, there have been some issues with turnovers at times. But there are few in college basketball with as much, wiggle, creativity and ability to get to their spots on the floor as Fears. He's obliterated any preseason expectations and is one of the biggest surprises in the freshman class. Odds are his opening-night performance in the SEC Tournament has helped the Sooners likely land a March Madness bid.
Kon Knueppel, Duke guard: All Knueppel did was make the All-ACC Second Team, score nearly 14 points per game and splash 40% of his 3-pointers. On most teams, that's pretty ridiculous stuff as a freshman. At Duke, fans are used to this type of production — and Knueppel isn't even the best freshman on his own team. Arguably the biggest omission from the 2024 McDonald's All-American Game, Knueppel has more than backed up his five-star status and top 20 ranking as a recruit.Asa Newell, Georgia forward: Another former five-star prospect who ranked among the top 20 in 2024, Newell joins Flagg and Queen as the third member of reigning national champion Montverde make this list of top freshmen. Although rules preventing more than three players from team making the McDonald's game cost him a spot, Newell shines bright in Athens. Long, athletic and mobile, Newell's quickness around the rim, timing and instincts have allowed him to rack up seven double doubles this season, and he's just scratching the surface of his potential.
Jase Richardson, Michigan State guard: The son of Spartans legend Jason Richardson was an early-season analytics darling who had hardcore fans screaming for him to play more. As the season has progressed, Tom Izzo placed more trust in his talented freshman, and Richardson's been rewarded for it. His season averages of 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in just 24.2 minutes are impressive enough. Since being inserted into the starting lineup nine games ago, the Spartans are 8-1 and Richardson has bumped up his averages to 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and less than one turnover per game.
THIRD TEAM
Liam McNeeley, UConn forward: The fourth and last player from last year's Montverde squad to make the list (and Baylor's Rob Wright was almost No. 5) has battled through injury and had a productive season. The Big East Freshman of the Year has been a threat from deep, making around 35% of his 3s while also helping out in a big way on the glass. He has tended to run a bit hot and cold, but when he's hot like he was during a 38-point win at Creighton, he could be a huge in helping the Huskies pursue their third straight national championship.
Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn guard: While Pettiford may not be a starter on a Bruce Pearl squad loaded with experienced players, there is no doubt how much he's meant to the Tigers. Coaches love to talk about players starring in their roles, and Pettiford has been a superstar in his. He has brought a ton of energy off the bench and been electric with the ball in his hands. Because of his ability to go on heaters with his jumper, he's been able to blow by defenders off the bounce, get into the lane, and cause a lot of trouble. He was the second highest-ranked point guard in the 2024 class and has looked like it for a team that will be a No. 1 seed and won the SEC.
Labaron Philon, Alabama guard: Philon originally signed with Kansas but had a change of heart last spring and Nate Oats, and the Crimson Tide are reaping the rewards. The shifty guard got off to a quick start and was impressive against other high-major programs in out-of-conference games. When he hit SEC play, both the scouting report and lack of strength caught up to him a bit. However, he's adjusted down the stretch, scoring double figures in seven of the past eight games. He's a key cog in one of the country's most potent offenses and will have to keep it up for the Tide to return to the Final Four.Thomas Sorber, Georgetown center: The Hoyas aren't going to make the NCAA Tournament, and Sorber's season ended early due to injury. That's too bad, because he deserves more credit than he's gotten for what was a fantastic first year run before it got cut short. A top 50 player nationally in what is turning out to be a pretty good group of 2024 centers, Sorber was certainly expected to make an impact early. That being said, he did more than expected and showed a lot on both ends of the floor as he proved tough to guard on the block, cleaned the glass and protected the rim at a high level.
Adrian Wooley, Kennesaw State forward: We made sure to include at least one mid-major among these teams. And for our money, Wooley was the best of non-high major freshman. A three-star prospect who looked like a solid signee for Kennesaw, he's been way more than that. The Conference USA Freshman of the Year was also an all-conference first-teamer and dazzled as a scorer from all three levels. He can be a little bit wild at times, but there's no denying that he was a massive steal for the Owls after going for 18.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
