The landscape of college basketball is changing in real time. NIL, the transfer portal, and even players returning after being drafted have altered roster construction across the sport. Charles Bediako is back at Alabama after a stint in the G League, and James Nnaji returned to Baylor after being taken 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Even with all of that movement, one thing has not changed. Elite freshmen still drive winning and often carry teams deep into March. Here are the five freshmen who have made the biggest impact so far this season.
1. Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
Boozer is the clear favorite for the Wooden Award at -350 on FanDuel, and it is easy to see why. He leads all freshmen at 23.2 points per game while adding 9.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
He is a special talent and projects as one of the top picks in this summer’s NBA Draft. There are still areas to refine, most notably at the free throw line where he is shooting 75%, but his impact is undeniable. Duke is 17-1 and ranked fifth in the AP Poll, and Boozer is the engine behind it.
2. AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
BYU’s rise this season starts with Dybantsa. The former No. 1 overall recruit is averaging 22.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while playing heavy minutes.
The Cougars are 16-2 with their only losses coming against top-15 teams in UConn and Texas Tech. ESPN currently has BYU slotted as a 4-seed, and Dybantsa is the primary reason they are firmly in the national picture.
3. Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford
Stanford is not grabbing headlines, but Okorie has quietly been one of the most productive freshmen in the country. His 22.1 points per game rank in the national top eight and trail only Boozer and Dybantsa among freshmen.
As of now, Stanford sits around a 9-seed in a deep ACC. With multiple ranked teams and little margin for error, the Cardinal will need Okorie to maintain this level of play to stay comfortably in the field.
4. Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Kansas hit a rough patch in early January, but Peterson was not the problem. He scored 23 and 26 points in losses to West Virginia and UCF and is averaging 21.6 points per game on the season.
Health is the concern. Peterson missed seven games earlier with a hamstring injury and recently turned an ankle against Colorado. With a brutal stretch ahead that includes BYU, Texas Tech, Arizona, and Iowa State, Kansas will need him healthy for its offense to function at a high level.
5. Kingston Flemings, G, Houston
Flemings burst onto the scene early, shooting 60% from the field and 51% from three over his first 11 games. While his scoring totals are lower than others on this list, his efficiency and role on a winning team stand out.
Houston is 17–2 and ranked sixth, with its most recent loss coming Saturday in Lubbock against No. 12 Texas Tech, a game in which Flemings erupted for 42 points. He now leads the Cougars in scoring at 17 points per game, and if Saturday was any indication, even bigger moments may be ahead.
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