Last week we unveiled what could be for the ACC when it comes to the 2016 recruiting class. In our next five part series, while things still play out within the respective senior class of prospects on the recruiting front, we will look at what can be expected this coming season on the hardwood for each program and the most important freshman within last year’s 2015 recruiting crop.

There is a bevy of elite, top shelf talent coming into the ACC this fall and also many others that could be labeled as late-bloomers. Programs like UNC, Duke, Louisville, and Syracuse are expected to land 5-star recruits, however, we will go one by one, and select the most important freshman that will be leaned upon most heavily during their first-year campaign, regardless of his ranking and based more on his progressing package of ball skills and opportunity at hand to leave an immediate impact this winter.

MIAMI

One of the most slept on teams throughout the nation with the preseason talk to date, it would seem Miami will be by a veteran-laden group, which should provide major dividends come March. With a bevy of talented guards and wings on the roster, and some energy givers down low with the likes of Kamari Murphy and Tonye Jekiri, extended minutes won’t be evident early on within Jim Larranaga’s squad. However, a former Charlotte commit could lend some time in the post and help in securing some quality Ws for the Hurricanes over the long haul. Ebuka Izundu, a 6-foot-9 center from Carolina, hasn’t stopped getting better and it seemed that with every passing month last high school season, the big fella was adding to his skillset from 15-feet and in. Known primarily as an energy giver early on, Izundu implemented a repertoire of moves around the basket and with the recent transfer of Omar Sherman at the 5-spot, Izunda may have been able to inherent a greater chance to succeed early on at Miami.

NORTH CAROLINA

It may be difficult for a freshman to make much of a mark for the Tar Heels this squad. There really isn’t much of a glaring hole within the roster as they showcase depth at the lead guard spot, length and size on the wings, and bigs on the block that can score with their backs to the rim and on face-up situations. However, a late addition to the roster after having been originally committed to VCU before backing off his verbal once the coaching change occurred, Kenny Williams could help out down the stretch for the Chapel Hill program. Standing at 6-foot-3 and with some toughness to him, the native of Virginia could end up becoming the most lethal perimeter shooter of the ball for Roy Williams and crew. He can convert off the catch and off the bounce via the pull-up, score the ball on hard-drive attempts, and also slide over onto the ball and handle the primary duties of directing his squad at the one and enable for Marcus Paige to be free in doing his own scoring within the half-court setting. 

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

The need for another scorer this year in Raleigh was desperately evident and Mark Gottfried struck gold late. Just like Duke, it took some creativity in taking in a member of the 2016 class and reclassing him, as Maverick Rowan can be someone leaned upon early and often for the Wolfpack. Originally a Pitt commit before backing off his early verbal, the 6-foot-6 freshman was one of the most efficient bucket getters in America this past travel season as he mad 51% of his shots in averaging close to 20 points per game on the Nike EYBL circuit. With the losses of Trevor Lacey and Ralston Turner, the need for another wing scorer alongside Cat Barber and transfer-in Terry Henderson, was a major sell with the Pittsburgh native and ended up being a calling card for why Rowan selected NC State as his home this fall. A killer off the pull-up with a pungent for getting to the foul line, the incoming freshman could average double digits for his entire time on campus and will enable for a range of lineups to be produced by Gottfried and his staff this year within the ACC.