The SEC is loaded with young talent this season.
The conference landed 26 freshmen from ESPN’s Top 100 for the 2017 recruiting class, with 16 of those players earning Top 50 rankings.
Because of how much great talent there is across the board, some of these players will get overlooked heading into one of the most anticipated SEC basketball seasons in a long time.
So, I decided to narrow down a list of 10 under-the-radar freshmen that could find nice roles for themselves this upcoming season.
You could make the case for many other freshmen being added to this list, as coaches in the SEC are all recruiting high-level talent and there’s plenty of it to go around this year.
However, I chose to narrow it to 10 selections, and they are based solely on my opinion of who’s getting less attention than others. Your definition of flying under the radar and my definition of flying under the radar may be different, so don’t fret if a certain player isn’t included.
Kentucky’s star-studded group, Michael Porter Jr., Collin Sexton, and other player we’ve spent a lot of time talking about this offseason won’t make the list since they’re already on most people’s map.
Here some players that may be flying under the radar heading into the season.
Davion Mitchell (Auburn)
While Mitchell is ranked No. 63 in ESPN’s Top 100 (and his talent hasn’t been a secret to those that have seen him play), I still think his potential impact on this Auburn team is being overlooked.
Bruce Pearl spoke highly of Mitchell’s defensive abilities on the podcast that we did back in June, and the 6-1 freshman’s quickness will make him a tremendous asset for a team that’s looking to fix its defensive woes from a season ago.
He’s exactly the type of guard that can thrive in Pearl’s up-tempo system.
Blake Harris (Missouri)
Harris started at point guard in last week’s exhibition game against Kansas, and while it’s too early to read a ton into that, it at least shows that Cuonzo Martin feels good about where the Raleigh native is at in his development.
Competition is a good thing, and Harris will be helped a lot by having to compete against Terrence Phillips on a daily basis.
Both players will see minutes this year, but Harris certainly has a lot of the necessary tools needed to succeed as the point guard of the future for this program.
Herb Jones (Alabama)
When Alabama coach Avery Johnson compared Jones to a “young Scottie Pippen” on our podcast last month, that spoke volumes to me.
Jones is a smooth shooting guard that has all the potential in the world.
To be 6-7 and have a 7-foot wingspan as a guard is a huge positive, and that could allow him to make a significant impact for the Crimson Tide sooner rather than later.
David Beatty (South Carolina)
It’s no secret that the Gamecocks are being projected to take a step back this year, but Beatty’s progression in a backcourt that lost a ton from last year could very well give South Carolina a shot at competing for a second straight NCAA Tournament bid.
Here’s how Martin described the Philadelphia product to me back in June: “He’s just a winner. His mentality is a lot like Sindarius (Thornwell). He’s a mean as a rattlesnake kind of player.”
That’s the mentality that Martin expects from his players, and that chould allow the 6-3 combo guard to make an impact right away.
Saben Lee (Vanderbilt)
Both Saben Lee and fellow freshman Maxwell Evans (who hit 10 3-pointers in four games during the team’s USVI trip this summer) are likely being undervalued due to the Commodores’ depth at guard.
But Lee’s upside is obvious. He’s a ridiculous athlete that will be able to use that to get into the paint at will in the future, and that quickness may be something that Bryce Drew can utilize this season in certain spots.
Devontae Shuler (Ole Miss)
Shuler is another talented recruit that isn’t being talked about much due to the incredible depth that Andy Kennedy has assembled in the backcourt.
It may be difficult for Shuler to get significant minutes due to the group of Deandre Burnett, Terence Davis, Breein Tyree, and Markel Crawford being in front of him, but going up against guys like that in practice will certainly make the former Oak Hill guard a better overall player throughout the season.
His defensive tenacity could also help him find a role considering that the Rebels may still have limitations there.
Yves Pons (Tennessee)
How fast the 6-6 French forward can develop into a reliable playmaker on both ends of the court could decide whether the Vols are top half team in the SEC this year.
Pons has unique athleticism and will need to use that quality to help out both on defense and on the boards.
If he can contribute nightly in those two areas and provide Tennessee with consistency around its talented backcourt, Rick Barnes might have an NCAA Tournament team on his hands.
Brandon Rachal (LSU)
Will Wade has spent plenty of time this summer overhauling LSU’s defensive mindset, and the 6-5 guard from Natchitoches has the length needed to help the Tigers in that area.
Rachal’s versatility will give Wade options in terms of where to play him, and carving out a role as a solid defender on a team that’ll pride itself on defense going forward could be huge in terms of finding time on the court this season and beyond.
Chase Johnson (Florida)
John Egbunu being out until at least January opens up lots of opportunity for Johnson to find his place in Florida’s rotation.
The 6-8 power forward has the versatility and athleticism needed to contribute on both ends of the floor, and while returners like Kevarrius Hayes and Keith Stone will likely see plenty of frontcourt minutes, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Johnson carves out an important role on this potential SEC title team.
Keyshawn Feazell (Mississippi State)
Ben Howland wasted no time in praising Feazell’s efforts in Mississippi State’s exhibition game against Nebraska: “Keyshawn Feazell is really going to help the program this year.”
The 6-9 power forward went 5-of-5 from the floor in 15 minutes of action against the Huskers, and while it’s only a scrimmage game, Howland clearly liked what he saw.
The Bulldogs’ have playmakers in the backcourt, and they’ll need frontcourt players like Feazell, Abdul Ado, Aric Holman, and Schnider Herard to make strides to rise up the SEC ladder this season.