December Recap: Impact 2026 Freshmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Few freshmen in the Philadelphia area receive varsity minutes because there is so much talent. Even fewer actually contribute to winning. Here are a handful of 2026 guys <strong>that I have seen</strong> so far this season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576719"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1727587,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBacking up Myers and his older brother Rob, “Munchie” isn't asked to do much offensively at just 4 points per game. He's tasked with making sound decisions and occasionally initiating their offense. However, he really makes his bones at the defensive point of attack. Ashley-Wright sells on that end, getting into the chest of ball-handlers and forcing turnovers. He averages 2.1 steals and another 3.5 deflections in just 15 minutes.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1576717"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePost players have steep learning curves to becoming skilled scorers, but Brown is contributing early with his versatility on defense. Slight of frame, he's light on his feet and gets off the ground quickly to block shots. More intriguing than that is his lateral mobility. Brown doesn't hesitate to switch or hedge ball-screens because he is comfortable sitting in his stance and sliding his feet without fouling.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1608494"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCarter has a high motor for a freshman. He gets 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 3.1 blocks per game with the energy he brings to the starting lineup. He sprints the floor, screens for others, and makes good defensive rotations. Carter also averages 9.5 points per game. When he's not slashing to the basket on his own, ANC's guards reward him in transition or with dump offs in the post.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1406790"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eHard to keep off the floor with his skillset, Feamster earned a starting spot on a talented Blue Devils team. He scores 10 ppg by spacing the floor with his shooting. Spotting up or running off screens, Feamster is a major threat beyond the arc without needing plays drawn up for him. And if his 3-ball isn't falling or he's run off the line, the freshman guard is able to get to his spots in the mid-range.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1613878"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":1727588,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOutside of the two league games they've played, Imhotep has been involved in several high level matchups to start the season. Behind 2 D1 guards (Barno + Nowell) who run the team, Smith is a guy they have to play. He averaged 7 minutes per game at City of Palms and made every second count. Smith knocked down 4-of-10 threes, handled the ball well (3-to-1 ast/to ratio) and played tough defense. As they get deeper into their local schedule, his minutes will increase and so will the production.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1608257"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhile some freshmen are in secondary roles or come off the bench (respectfully), the South Philly product has primary ball-handler duties for the Patriots. Williams averages 12.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.1 steals in 9 games. An impressive shooter, he's made 42.5% on threes (40 attempts) and 81.4% (22-27) on free throws. With the veterans Carroll has around him, Williams, along with Ralls, gives them something extra.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63b34607da602"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Delaware Special: [player_tooltip player_id='1406786' first='Anthony' last='Smith'] | 6'0 G Salesianum </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is the 6th man for Sallies, but he's already one of their most important players. Better known as “Tookie”, with his immense feel, he elevates his team's play and helps their pieces fit together when he enters the game. Some games he does it by jumping passing lanes and getting them out in transition. In others, he's making tough shots. Smith is already a glue guy with upside to do more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kobe Bazemore | 5'9 G Upper Dublin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1406894' first='Emmanuel' last='Butts'] | 6'7 F Haverford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Makel Butts | 6'7 W West Philadelphia</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1611931' first='Kody' last='Colson'] | 5'10 G Shipley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1661246' first='Timmy' last='Dennis'] | 6'6 F Episcopal Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1454262' first='Rowan' last='Miller'] | 5'10 G Malvern Prep</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1406770' first='Nasir' last='Ralls'] | 6'1 G Archbishop Carroll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1611959' first='DJ' last='Rivera Jr.'] | 6'2 G Father Judge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lateef Lorenzo-White | 6'4 G Bartram</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Am I missing any other freshmen who are standing out and contributing to winning already? Follow me on twitter (@CGraham_Sports) and share them with me there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->