Freshman tracker: Top 10
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This season: 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
How he got here: Ellenson had a final three of Marquette, Kentucky and Michigan State. Marquette had immediate minutes and the ability to feature him offensively and that, combined with proximity to home and his older brother Henry transferring in from Minnesota, got it done.
Analysis: Ranked No. 11 overall coming out of high school, Ellenson has been very good. He hasn't yet started shooting the ball great from deep (just 9-for-33 from three-point land) but his offensive versatility and production have him looking like a potential lottery pick.
3
SG
This season: 18.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
How he got here: Beasley seriously considered home state Georgia, taking unofficial visits, and he also took an unofficial visit to St. John's. However, the Seminoles were his only official visit and he committed almost the minute he stepped foot on campus for a visit.
Analysis: Ranked No. 43 overall in 2015, Beasley has gotten off to a better start than anybody has expected. He's always had a quick trigger finger when it comes to launching shots, but the accuracy of his jump shot has been a pleasant surprise.
4
PF
This season: 15.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
How he got here: Part of a true package deal, Lawson's father Keelon, Sr. was hired as an assistant by Josh Pastner. The Tigers also landed Lawson's older brother, Keelon Lawson, a four-star prospect.
Analysis: A McDonald's All-American who ranked No. 33 overall, Lawson was going to get the ball from day one and as a four man who can handle, the shots would be there. How well he has rebounded despite a lack of strength has been a huge surprise. If he improves his jumper, his stay in Memphis could be shorter than expected.
5
SF
This season: 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
How he got here: Bacon had a top 10 list of schools and took an official visit to USC. A native of Florida, though, the Seminoles were always seen as the team to beat and he committed the same night Beasley did.
Analysis: A McDonald's All-American and the No. 22 player in the 2015 class, Bacon's offensive performance is no surprise. A physically mature and athletic 20-year-old, he was ready for the rigors of college basketball
6
SG
This season: 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
How he got here: Originally slotted to be a member of the class of 2016, Murray elected to arrive in the class of 2015 after really enhancing his reputation playing for Canada's national team. Oregon was heavily considered but John Calipari won out.
Analysis: Ranked No. 9 overall in the 2015 class, Murray has always been a confident scorer off the dribble. His ability to put the ball on the floor and play as a shooting or point guard makes him a difficult assignment. The one thing Murray hasn't done is shoot the ball with consistency; he's currently just under 40 percent overall from the field.
7
SF
This season: 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
How he got here: Ingram's recruitment stretched well into the spring as he also heavily considered Kansas, Kentucky and UCLA. North Carolina was heavily in the mix but Ingram cited worries over potential NCAA problems at UNC before selecting the Blue Devils.
Analysis: The No. 4 ranked player in 2015, Ingram really struggled with his shooting early on. He's caught fire recently, averaging 24.3 points over his last three contests while making 8 of 14 three-point shots during that stretch.
8
SG
This season: 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
How he got here: A native of Seattle, there wasn't ever much question about where Murray would end up. However, him picking the Huskies was important to the rebuilding process and landing a top 10 class in 2015.
Analysis: For our money, Murray is one of the most versatile freshman in the country and has as much upside as just about anybody. Ranked No. 46 coming out of high school, Murray's rail thin 170-pound frame hasn't been as much of an issue for him as expected. He does need to cut down on turnovers (3.8 per game) and improve his shooting (41.2 percent).
9
PF
This season: 12.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
How he got here: One of the late deciders in 2015, Rabb took his time before picking Cal in April. Kentucky, Kansas and UCLA all received long looks but Arizona was the strongest competition. The chance to rebuild a program near his hometown of Oakland and relationship with Cuonzo Martin was what won him over.
Analysis: The No. 7 player in the class of 2015, Rabb was expected to be a difference-maker off the bat and he's responded well. If anything, he's not yet getting enough touches and he's been remarkably efficient, converting on 65.8 percent of his field goal attempts.
10
SF
Troy
This season: 17.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
How he got here: Not heavily recruited out of his home state of Tennessee despite All-State honors, Varnado ended up at Troy in late April. Troy's head coach Phil Cunningham recruited Varnado's older brother Jarvis to Mississippi State in 2006 and that connected also factored in.
Analysis: Probably the biggest surprise of the freshman class, Varnado was a relatively unheralded three-star prospect out of high school and signed very late. He's shot well, rebounded and is a physically impressive 6-foot-6 wing.
10 to watch
Isaiah Briscoe, PG, Kentucky
Tyler Dorsey, PG, Oregon
Skal Labissiere, PF, Kentucky
Maverick Rowan, SG, N.C. State
James Thompson, PF, Eastern Michigan
Allonzo Trier, SG, Arizona
Eric Bossi
National Basketball Analyst
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