"Top Freshmen, Illinois Ranked 25th, Wisconsin Misses Top 25, Kansas No. 1, USC Returns to Top 25"

The impact of international prospects on American basketball is growing, with more college programs than ever recruiting talent from around the world. Heading into the 2023-24 season, several top-ranked programs are expected to rely on immediate contributions from their international freshmen. One standout player to watch is Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 center from Spain, who brings significant experience and skill to the UCLA Bruins. While his lack of toughness in the paint and defensive struggles are areas for improvement, addressing these could potentially elevate him into the conversation for a top-10 NBA draft pick.