Future Stars: Freshman to Keep an Eye On During March Madness 2025
March Madness is where legends are born. The pinnacle of the college basketball calendar provides the perfect platform for some of the most exciting young talents in the sport to make some noise and etch their names into the history books of their programs forever. We know that NBA teams will be watching closely for the future stars of the sport; so why shouldn’t we? Here are some future stars— freshman to keep an eye on during March Madness 2025.
Tournament Stars of Tomorrow
1. Cooper Flagg, Duke
Cooper Flagg is everything that every basketball team and fan dreams of having; someone you can win a championship with. The 6-foot-9 phenom has been a dominant force all season long, leading the Blue Devils in points (19.4), rebounds (7.6), assists (4.2), steals (1.5), and blocks (1.3). He absolutely fits the bill as a generational prospect; able to dominate both ends of the court, making him a frontrunner for the John Wooden Award as a freshman.
Flagg’s efficiency and consistency are off the charts. Over the last 18 games, he is shooting over 50% from the field and 42% from deep. He is also landing 83% of his free throws on the year.
Flagg has kicked off his college career in style, by winning the ACC Player of the Year already, in addition to being named on the All-Defensive and All-Freshman teams. He is a true menace on the court, and the fact he plays for the Blue Devils suggests a huge month ahead for the freshman.
Duke enters the tournament as the betting favorite, boasting a 28-3 record, and arriving on an 8-game win streak. Flagg, unsurprisingly, has been the driving force of this. After all, he does lead the team in almost every meaningful statistical category. He’s already proven he has the all-important clutch trait that will be essential when the pressure is turned up in the tournament, and his 42 points against Notre Dame showed he can completely take over. This is the kind of guy you win titles with, and he will be a name you hear a lot over the next few years.
2025 March Madness—Spotlight on Future Stars
2. VJ Edgecombe, Baylor
The signs of a truly dominant player are starting to emerge in Baylor. Guard VJ Edgecombe took things up a notch in late January. Especially, when landing 30 points on Kansas State, 21 on Utah, and 28 in an overtime loss to BYU. He has been on fire, which suggests he is ready to make some noise in his first-ever taste of NCAA Tournament action.
On the year, Edgecombe is averaging 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His efficiency isn’t all the way there yet, shooting 44% from the field and 35.3% from three. But there’s plenty of time to get that ironed out. Most importantly, the kid can lock in and dominate when his team needs him to; so it will be fascinating to see how he handles the pressure and high-octane nature of March madness.
With the Bears bringing a deep roster and good coaching to the tournament. Who knows what could be ahead for Edgecombe and his teammates. But they are definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Future Stars: Freshman to Keep an Eye On During March Madness 2025
3. Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois
Kasparus Jakucionis is an intriguing freshman to keep an eye on. The 6-foot-6 guard has been electric at times this year; showing the true potential of being a future NBA star. He can bang in the buckets with ease and also has a knack for creating opportunities for his teammates. But truth be told, things have slowed down a little recently.
A stretch of six games with over 20 points each back in November and December suggested a run at the Wooden Award could be on the cards. However, Jakucionis hasn’t managed to hit the 20-point mark again in any of his last six outings. Most notably, he managed just 14 points in a 110-67 point hammering at the hands of Cooper Flagg’s Blue Devils on February 23rd.
Nevertheless, the kid can play. And it will be fascinating to see whether he can take things up a level for the NCAA Tournament. The Big Ten Tournament will give Jakucionis and Illinois an opportunity to find some form before the NCAA Tournament gets underway. Still… while a shot at a championship might be unlikely. This is a great test for a freshman playmaker who has high expectations for the years ahead.
4. Derik Queen, Maryland
For Maryland, their hopes of a glorious March will be heavily influenced by the young Derik Queen. An athlete who has popped in 15.7 points per game from the center position. Add in the 6-foot-10 frame and 9.2 rebounds per game and you have a very useful presence on the court. Therefore, so far the proof in the pudding seems to suggest a very bright future awaits the Terrapin.
Queen has already got a First-Team All-Big Ten selection under his belt. And he was awarded the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award. Setting him up to make an even bigger name for himself in the NCAA Tournament.
He is a smooth mover and can control things in the paint. And he quickly emerged as the Terrapins go-to guy; evidenced by his 29-point outing in a 90-81 win over Rutgers. He has also perfected the art of drawing fouls, averaging 5.9 a game, although he would like to see his 75.7% free throw rate improve.
Maryland might not stand out as one of the top teams heading into March Madness, but if Queen can find his groove and continue getting good support from those around him (four other Terrapins average over 12 PPG), then you never know! Either way, definitely a guy to keep an eye on.
Stars of Tomorrow Showcased in 2025 March Madness Tournament
5. Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Tahaad Pettiford might not be the Auburn Tigers’ leading scorer. But he has been one of their most important players. He averages 11.6 points per game as a freshman. However, he is playing in FAR fewer minutes than everyone else on this list, averaging 22.5 per game. Yet, this limited game time hasn’t stopped him from ranking tied third on the team in points though; alongside fellow guard Miles Kelly, who is playing 28 minutes per game.
There is no doubt that Pettiford is one of the most exciting young players in college basketball at the moment. He is primed for a very bright future. And this NCAA tournament could be an opportunity for him to make a case for more minutes.
Even if he stays as more of a supportive role; Pettiford’s impact off the bench will be crucial in helping these Tigers find their way to the title. They have a talented roster across the board, headlined by Wooden Award candidate Johni Broome. But it is Pettiford that can be that added x-factor to get them across the line.
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