It took just one game for several top recruits to make a name for themselves in NCAA men's basketball.

While it is too early to put too much weight into some of these performances, it should also go without saying that playing well in your first regular-season game at the next level is only a good thing. For many former high school stars, that moment takes some time or it never comes at all.

You probably already know names like Cooper Flagg as well as Rutgers teammates Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper (who have not yet played). But there are some other players you should now have on your radar as well.

Yet a few notable names around the NCAA were able to make an immediate impact, standing out among other talented young players in the college ranks. As we begin our 2025 NBA Draft coverage, here are a few of the most notable debuts we saw:

1. Tre Johnson

Among the projected top-10 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, none looked better during their first NCAA game than Texas freshman Tre Johnson. He scored 29 points (10-of-20 FG, 5-of-11 3P) while also adding 5 rebounds, 4 assists to just 1 turnover, 2 steals, and 1 block. Even though Texas lost the game, Johnson looked difficult to stop in transition and used off-ball screens to sink 3-pointers.

2. Will Riley

While he was considered more of a fringe one-and-done candidate before the season began, Canada's Will Riley had a stellar debut for Illinois off the bench. He finished with a remarkable and efficient 31 points (10-of-13 FG, 5-of-6 3P) with 7 rebounds (including four offensive) and 3 assists. Riley was able to create multiple second-chance opportunities for himself and he also looked like an elite spot-up threat. His teammate, Kasparas Jakucionis, was also outstanding.

3. Derik Queen

After playing alongside Cooper Flagg at Montverde Academy last season, freshman big man Derik Queen now projects as one of the best big men in this freshman class. He had 22 points (9-of-16 FG) with an absurd 20 rebounds, adding 2 blocks and 1 steal as well. Queen showed some promise as a passer and even stepped beyond the arc to attempt multiple 3-pointers as well. The freshman also threw down three dunks in the game.

4. Kon Knueppel

With respect to his more hyped teammates Flagg and Khaman Maluach, it was Kon Knueppel who stole the show for Duke. He had 22 points (8-of-14 FG, 3-of-8 3P) with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal during his Blue Devils debut. Knueppel recorded 13 of Duke's first 23 points within the first 7 minutes of the game and displayed excellent scoring versatility as a shooter.

5. Asa Newell

Another projected first-round pick who stood out in his first collegiate performance was Georgia's Asa Newell. He had 26 points (13-of-22 FG) with 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards. It was the most points for a Georgia freshman since Dominique Wilkins. The forward also added 3 blocks and 1 steal for Georgia during the game. Although he missed all four of his 3-pointers, he shot well enough in high school that it isn't a concern.

6. Flory Bidunga

While he isn't yet projected as a consensus first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, during his first game, Kansas freshman Flory Bidunga showed that he could become one. He had 13 points (6-of-6 FG) with 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks off the bench for the Jayhawks. Bidunga was perfect when rolling to the basket and when posting up and he was the only freshman to record 4 dunks in his debut.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 6 freshmen (Kon Knueppel!) who dominated in their NCAA men's college basketball debut in 2024