The Year of the Baby Bigs: the next wave of freshmen stars have arrived

The demise of the big man has been greatly exaggerated — at least at the college level. It was only three seasons ago that freshman Jahlil Okafor anchored Duke’s national championship run with picture-perfect post play. Last year, North Carolina won the national title by owning the glass and controlling the paint with two traditional bigs in Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks starting up front.

The amount of frontcourt talent this season is going to be even more jarring. While last season’s freshman class was defined by dynamic point guards, this year’s best incoming talents are almost exclusively big men. It’s a diverse mix of stars that will make the college game a richer place, even if it’s only for a year.

The Year of the Baby Bigs is upon us. These are best freshman big men in the country.

The Harlem-bred Bamba enters Texas as a center of historical proportions — literally. With a 7’9’’ wingspan and 9’6’’ standing reach, Bamba will be the longest player in NBA history when he inevitably becomes a lottery pick a year from now. While he has him, Longhorns coach Shaka Smart is about to employ a big man whose sheer size will change the geometry of the court.

How he plays: Bamba’s impact will be felt first and foremost on the defensive end. His length alone would make him a terror as a shot blocker, but Bamba is also an inquisitive kid who thinks the game. We’re talking about a player who flew out to the Sloan Analytics Conference in Boston to ask a question about defending the pick-and-roll.

His combination of reach, smarts and agility should make him one of the best rim protectors in college basketball from day one. Expect him to swallow up ball handlers and reject shots all year long.

How he fits: Smart has been cautious to fully deploy his patented press since he arrived in Austin, but that could change with Bamba. Texas has a host of athletic guards who can apply ball pressure and now has the ultimate eraser on the backline. The ‘Horns were among the most disappointing teams in the country with a one-and-done center last year in Jarrett Allen, but another year for everyone in the system should make a push for an NCAA tournament bid that much more realistic.

The legend of DeAndre Ayton started when he put up 17 points and 18 rebounds in an exhibition game against North Carolina three years ago while playing for his native Bahamas. This was as a 15-year-old, who had just finished his freshman year of high school. Almost immediately after, Ayton developed a reputation by some as the best long-term prospect in the American pipeline at any level.

Ayton’s stock fell slightly over the last two years as scouts questioned his motor, but his talent remains unimpeachable. It shouldn’t surprise anyone if he’s one of the best players in the country, regardless of position or class, from the moment he takes the floor for Sean Miller.

How he plays: Arizona is getting a center with ideal measurables — 7’1”, 250 pounds, 7’5’’ wingspan — who’s also an elite athlete with soft touch on his jumper. He will have an immediate impact as a rebounder and inside scorer, and he comes with the added bonus of also being an 81 percent free throw shooter on Nike’s EYBL circuit. Simply put, this is a certifiable unicorn in every way.

How he fits: The only real worry with Ayton’s offense is that sometimes he falls in love with his jumper too much. To keep him engaged and productive all season, Arizona should do its best to give him a constant bevy of touches in the paint. Miller remembers what happened last year when his team froze out its star freshman in the Sweet 16. He doesn’t need to see that again. If the Wildcats can get Ayton to reach his ceiling, this is Miller’s best chance at finally breaking through to the Final Four.

Marvin Bagley III isn’t even supposed to be here. After spending his entire prep career as a 2018 recruit, Bagley saw an opportunity to finish his schoolwork early, skip his senior year, commit to Duke, and become eligible immediately. Now he’ll push to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft while also making the Blue Devils the top team in preseason polls. Duke has had a lot of one-and-done stars in its recent history, and Bagley is as good as any of them.

How he plays: Bagley has rare speed and agility for a 6’11’’ lefty big man. He’s going to be a monster as an inside scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker, and he’ll flash a jump shot, too. Bagley also might quietly be the best ball handler on this list. He won’t be hesitant to push the ball down the court and get in the open floor after grabbing a rebound. If you’re looking for a comparison, think Anthony Davis with a better feel offensively at this stage, but with inferior instincts and tools defensively.

How he fits: Duke has embraced small ball as much as it’s embraced the one-and-done the last few years. That makes this year’s front court fascinating with traditional big men Bagley, Wendell Carter (more on him in the minute,) and Marques Bolden seemingly set to hold down all of the available front court minutes. It’s possible Bagley’s numbers won’t be overwhelming just because Duke has so many other options on offense — where Grayson Allen, Trevon Duval, and Gary Trent Jr. could form college basketball’s best perimeter. Regardless, Bagley has more talent than anyone on this team and should be a highlight machine all year.

Porter was committed to Washington until March when the Huskies fired Lorenzo Romar and set off a chain reaction across college basketball. New Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin promptly hired former Washington assistant Michael Porter Sr., and both of his talented sons quickly followed him to Columbia. Mizzou hoops has been reborn, and it’s all because of the Porter family.

Michael Jr. is the real prize as a versatile combo forward with the type of overwhelming talent required to be the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Expectations are firmly set for him to have a Kevin Durant-type of freshman season. If it happens, Mizzou should finally be in the NCAA tournament for the first time in five years.

How he plays: Porter looks like the prototype for the modern basketball player — a 6’10’’ forward groomed all his life to be a primary scoring option from the outside-in. He’ll be at the center of Mizzou’s offense all year, whether he’s taking tough off-the-dribble jumpers, launching three-pointers, or using his elite athleticism to have an impact on the offensive glass. Bet that Porter ends the season among the country’s top-10 leading scorers.

How he fits: Porter will be a star at any spot on the floor, but it will be fascinating to see if Martin views him primarily as a wing or big. Porter has the skill set to play small forward, but he’ll be even more effective lined up at power forward against slower defenders. The only problem is that Mizzou is already stacked in the front court with fellow freshmen Jontay Porter and Jeremiah Tilmon. That leaves Martin with a captivating question — Is it better to get the most talent on the floor, or maximize the unique gifts of your superstar?

Carter was a staple near the top of the 2017 recruiting rankings from the moment they were developed. He’s as accomplished as any player in the class coming from the high school level, where he won two gold medals with USA Basketball and two state titles at Atlanta’s Pace Academy. You might know him as the five-star recruit who gave serious consideration to Harvard. Now he’s ready to be the man in the middle for a Duke team with national-title-or-bust expectations.

How he plays: Carter is a throwback big who does his best work on the block and attacking the glass. He’s at his best scoring with his back to basket, but he also has a developing face-up game with decent touch on his jumper. Carter is a strong, physical player who will be a force in the paint from day one.

How he fits: Carter and Bagley seem to complement each other well in the front court — Carter can score down low while Bagley operates out of the mid-post. It’s worth noting that this is a change for recent Duke teams, which have typically played with only one traditional big man on the court. The question is whether Duke’s defense can benefit from the extra size while its offense loses some shooting. The truth is that if Carter and Bagley play up to their talent levels, Duke is going to be a major problem for the rest of the country all season long.

Jackson, the son of a former NBA player, rose in the rankings late in his high school career after impressive showings at the McDonald’s All-American Game and Nike Hoop Summit. He’s now viewed as a legitimate top-10 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, as well as the newcomer who could push Michigan State to become national title favorites if he reaches his sizable ceiling.

How he plays: Jackson has an NBA-ready frame to go along with a burgeoning skill set that’s so en vogue in today’s game. Start with the size: at 6’11’’, 242 pounds with a 7’4’’ wingspan, he’s big enough to play center at any level. He’s also a natural shooter who shot 40 percent from three-point range during his high school career. Every team wants a big man with the length to protect the rim and the skill to stretch the floor with a jump shot. Michigan State actually has one.

How he fits: Nick Ward was one of the most impressive post scorers in the country as a freshman last season for the Spartans. Jackson would seem to complement him perfectly as a longer, more-skilled player who can give him room to operate by stepping out to the three-point line. Superstar sophomore Miles Bridges will surely steal minutes at the four as well, giving the Spartans arguably the most stacked frontcourt rotation in the country.