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Top Of The Class: Ranking The Top Incoming Freshmen Players

By Ian Flickinger-Galeza

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Mar 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All American athlete Jaylen Brown (1) poses for pictures during portrait day at the Westin Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds High School All American athlete Jaylen Brown (1) poses for pictures during portrait day at the Westin Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Locks: Jaylen Brown and Malik Newman

In any other season, either Brown or Newman could have been the No. 1 pick– they’re both that good and they might end up playing together next season (if Kentucky coach John Calipari has his way). But because of Simmons and Skal they’re being slightly overlooked, which isn’t going to last much longer once they get out on the court.

Both of them are guaranteed to be impact players next season (once they select what school they’ll attend, that is) and both of them have the potential to make some noise for themselves and become stars of their own.

Brown:6-7, 220-pounds, SF, undeclared

Brown might be the most complete player in the class, a player capable of scoring inside and out offensively, and defend multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball. Brown averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks for Wheeler High School,  and is considering North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, and UCLA among others.

Brown is the most NBA-ready physically of any player in the class, but needs to work on his handling and jump shot to join the former group. A season in the spotlight playing for Coach Cal or Bill Self could be the basketball equivalent to a highly anticipated mixtape (yes, I’m keeping the music analogy going) to solidify his spot at the top. Let’s call this his first single.

Newman:6-3, 175-pounds, SG, undeclared

Like Brown, Newman has also yet to make his decision on his destination, and with Kentucky’s mass exodus, there’s a chance they end up playing together. Cal’s Wildcat teams have always featured star big men and crafty guards, but Newman might be the best scorer out of them all.

The Callaway High School product averaged 31.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists his senior year, and can play either backcourt position. Newman can single-handily keep a team in a game with his offense —  he’s one of the few “heat-check” guys in the class (would that be the rapper who can always give a great guest verse? Am I reaching at this point?).

What’s even more impressive about Newman is the fact that while he can put up points in bunches, he’s also shown to be a productive floor leader as well. What side we see might depend on which school he plans on attending, or if he plans on attending a school at all.

Scout.com’s Evan Daniels is reporting that, according to Newman’s father, Malik has been approached by teams in China and Spain about playing professionally overseas, a la Emmanuel Mudiay. Only time will tell what happens to Newman, but regardless of where he ends up, we’ll be hearing his name.