Freshman Fireworks: 12 NBA Draft Prospects Who Lit Up Opening Week
Eye-popping debuts and highlights from the opening week of college basketball
College basketball is finally back, and with it comes our first look at some of the most anticipated prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class. This opening week has already seen several high-profile freshmen crack school record books and deliver eye-popping performances.
Several high-profile freshmen made a splash on opening night but lost a bit of steam in their second games, while others found their footing after a slower debut.
While many of the standout numbers came against overmatched opponents, the upcoming week will offer a better gauge of their talent as these highly touted freshmen face tougher competition—beginning tomorrow at the Champions Classic in Atlanta.
Here are 12 freshmen that caught my eye with their performances in the opening week of the season.
Egor Demin
BYU
Freshman
Combo Guard
6’9” | 190
Age on draft night: 19.3
Demin is off to a remarkable start, instantly cementing himself as one of the top freshmen to watch this season. At 6-foot-9, Demin’s unique blend of playmaking, skill, and size puts him squarely in the conversation as one of the draft’s most intriguing prospects.
In his college debut against Central Arkansas, Demin delivered a statement with 18 points and 11 assists, becoming only the second freshman in Big 12 history—alongside Trae Young—to notch 10+ points and 10+ assists in his first game.
He followed up with another brilliant performance against UC Riverside, putting up 20 points on a crazy-efficient 8-for-11 from the floor, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds.
Through two games, Demin is averaging 19 points, 9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 62% overall and 50% from deep, with only four turnovers against his 18 assists.