Many freshman entering college basketball this season arrive with big reputations. Other, however, might not be in a a limelight conference or have a household name, but that doesn't mean they can't play. They can. The following new faces will contribute immediately to their respected programs and some will become all-conference players in time.
Many more players could have made this list of the best freshman from the conferences outside the ones we've already covered, but as with all lists only a chosen few make the cut. Like all players, the ones on this list have spent the better part of the last three months with their new school getting acclimated to the campus, taking classes, working with the strength and conditioning coach, and working on the ball skills.
If you get a chance to see one of these freshman perform you won't be disappointed.
• Rashanti Harris, PF, Georgia State: Harris, who plays with great focus and intensity, will have an immediate impact for coach Rod Barnes as a relentless rebounder. He is a bull down low and is improving his consistency away from the basket. Defensively, he will be a presence in the lane blocking shots and playing good positional defense in the low post. Harris should be a career double-double player.
• Keith Clanton, PF, UCF: He is a skilled face-up 4 who scores inside-out. Clanton will be a mismatch problem for opponents because he is extremely effective inside and outside with size. He plays with an infectious passion and will give the Golden Knights a legit big man to combat the upper-tier programs of Conference USA. He turned down Big East and SEC offers.
• Johnnie Williams, PF, George Mason: He is a big body with excellent skill for his size. Williams has comfortable range from 15 to 17 feet and in, but can knock down an open 3 with time and space. However, he is best known for his ability to punish defenders in the lane, where he has good hands and touch around the basket. The versatile forward should produce points, rebounds and matchup problems right away for coach Jim Larranaga.
• A.J. Holland, PG, Rice This long and athletic lead guard is the key to a very talented and deep first full recruiting class of Ben Braun. He uses his excellent ballhandling and vision to excel in the open court, where he makes his teammates better by getting them the ball when they are in position to score. Holland can also make a play with the clock winding down, but he must add a mid-range, pull up jumper to his repertoire. With his talent and basketball IQ, don't be surprised if Holland is running the show for the Owls as a rookie.
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The 6-11 Zeke Marshall was a recruiting coup for Keith Dambrot and his Akron Zips.
• Zeke Marshall, C, Akron: Marshall created quite the recruiting buzz when he committed early to the Zips. At the very least, he will be one of the best shot-blockers in the conference and be an immediate impact defensive player. Coach Keith Dambroth's teams usually play excellent defense and now his players can extend pressure and contest passes on the perimeter knowing big Zeke is waiting in the lane.
• Chris Manresa, PF, San Diego: Manresa may be the most polished post prospect heading to the West Coast Conference this season. He plays the game like an NBA seasoned veteran. Manresa's beefy frame and advanced inside-out game -- think a poor man's Kevin Love -- should translate into a successful freshmen campaign.
• Andrew Smith, C, Butler This true center has great size and strength. Smith has a great motor for a post player and runs the floor extremely well. He is a back-to-the-basket scorer and in Butler's spread ball screen offensive attack with shooters everywhere on the floor, Smith will have plenty of space to operate and be a highly effective low-post threat for years to come.
• Ray Taylor, PG, Florida Atlantic He may be small in size at 5-foot-7, but he has a big heart and a high motor. He will be a catalyst on the floor due to his fast-breaking, up-tempo ability. He also shoots 3s well enough to keep the defense honest. Defensively, he causes havoc with his pesky ball pressure and excels in the open floor. He picked the right coach because Mike Jarvis had tremendous success with Shanta Rodgers years ago at George Washington.
• Joel Naburgs, SG, Stetson The hard-nosed Aussie should have an immediate impact on Stetson's program. He is an excellent shooter who plays with some bounce and displays a high basketball IQ. He will certainly stretch out defenses in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and more importantly, he will give coach Derek Waugh someone to rely on in crunch time.
• Niyi Harrison, PF, Santa Clara He is out of the mold of former UCLA standout Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and is a definite steal for coach Kerry Keating and his staff. He's a willing runner with a good pair of hands that help him score. He will be a versatile offensive scorer and if he can continue to polish his face-up skill set, his ceiling is quite high.