Freshmen and Transfers to Watch in College Basketball Today

While Monday provided our first look at many college draft prospects, several teams will kick off their seasons today and provide the first glimpse at potential selections for the 2025 NBA Draft. With a much less busy day of action, it should be much easier to watch these players. Let’s take a look at some of the freshmen and transfers who could hear their names called on draft night.

Egor Demin is a tall, smart player who can make his impact felt across the pitch. He has great vision as a playmaker and excels with the ball in his hands. During BYU’s preseason, he didn’t focus much on scoring, but rather demonstrated his ability to set up his teammates and cap off a blowout win over Colorado Christian with a game-high 11 assists. His scoring could improve as the season progresses, but he looks to be one of the most intriguing debuts in this first week of action.

Kanon Catchings joins the Wildcats after a productive season with Overtime Elite and looked ready to contribute early. Last season he averaged 14 points, and in the BYU game against Colorado Christian he led the way by scoring 19 points. He can stretch the floor, but really stands out with his athleticism in transition. While most draft boards are lower for him at the moment, he could rise quickly if his scoring continues to impress.

Joson Sanon is a scoring threat with great physical tools who can make a noticeable two-way impact in his freshman year. After being reclassified to the 2024 recruiting class, he is a young prospect who appears to have a long road to development. If Sanon gets the chance to shoot the ball consistently, he has a chance to post strong scoring numbers and work his way up draft boards ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Jayden Quaintance looks to start his freshman season by showing his athleticism on the interior. He stood out last season playing for Overtime Elite, averaging 18 points and eight rebounds against some decent competition. His ability to stretch the floor on offense has shown up in flashes, but that shouldn’t be relied on too heavily this season. He has a reported 7-foot-3 wingspan, which is a promising long-term tool to develop his defensive impact.

JT Toppin transferred to Texas Tech after a productive freshman season at New Mexico. He is a very good athlete who works aggressively on the inside while fighting for rebounds. He averaged just under a double-double last season and could very well increase his numbers in his second year. His shooting is his biggest question mark; although he stretched the floor to the rim, he struggled with three-point consistency. Making just 56% of his free throws last season, Toppin should be able to improve on this and show that his development still has room to grow.

Coleman Hawkins has had an impressive career thus far playing for Illinois. After transferring to Kansas State for his senior season, this new opportunity will allow him to expand his game and continue to work his way into draft conversations. His three-point shooting made a significant jump last season, as he made 36.9% of his four attempts per game. Although he is an older prospect, his offensive versatility and year-over-year development make him one of the most promising upperclassmen in college basketball.

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