Going from high school to the college game is never as easy as some would think, regardless of how talented a player may be. The speed and physicality of the game along with attention to detail will increase tenfold.
Besides sheer talent and athletic ability, a successful transition to college requires many other traits, such as a burning desire to be the best, a strong work ethic, being receptive to coaching, and the confidence to make an impact right away.
With the 2012-13 season over and the spring signing period (April 17-May 15) set to begin, now is the perfect time to look ahead and see which Class of 2013 recruits will have an instant impact in 2013-14. After watching and studying their practice habits and games over the past several years, here are the top 10 incoming freshmen we expect to dominate the action next season in college basketball.
1. Andrew Wiggins, SF, uncommitted
Considering: Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina
ESPN 100 Rank: No. 1
No matter which college he chooses, Wiggins will impact the college game in many ways next year, and for many reasons. His recruitment has created a major buzz among the fan bases of his four finalists and the entire college basketball community -- and for good reason. Wherever he lands, it will elevate that team in the preseason rankings and immediately increase expectations for next season. On the floor, he owns elite NBA athletic ability and utilizes it to score and defend on every possession. It is possible to defend him because you know where he will score from, but it is nearly impossible to stop him because of his athleticism and talent to finish even when defended well. He can score in a variety of ways, including in the paint, on drives, off rebounds, on short jumpers and by creating fouls. Once he gets close to the paint, the defender is at his mercy.