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Montverde Academy is a powerhouse of basketball talent. Year after year, it has nurtured players like Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, FC Helsingor forward Monday Etim, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embid, and others, who went on to dominate college basketball and the NBA. The 8x national championship winners are ready with another fresh crop of talent who have taken college basketball by storm.
In this article, we look at five Montverde Academy freshmen who have made immediate impacts in their collegiate debut.
Montverde Academy's finest freshmen taking college hoops by storm
#1 Cooper Flagg
At the top spot is Cooper Flagg, the basketball phenom who has been compared to LeBron James by many. The top recruit of the 2024 Class by both 247Sports and ESPN, Cooper Flagg, made his Duke Debut against Maine with a bang.
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Spending over 30 minutes on court, Flagg scored 18 points while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists. His performance steered his team to a comfortable 96-62 victory.
Flagg is projected to be the number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His college debut underscores his abilities and positions him as the top player to look out for.
#2 Derik Queen
Derik Queen, another standout from Montverde Academy, stunned hoop fans with his college debut performance. The 5-star recruit committed to the Maryland Terrapins in February. In his debut against Manhattan, the 6-foot-10 center put up a dominant performance, charting 22 points, 20 rebounds, and two blocks.
It was his exceptional run on the court that saw the Terrapins trample the Jaspers with a 79-49 victory.
#3 ASA Newell
A versatile power forward, ASA Newell made his debut for the Georgia Bulldogs against Tennessee Tech. Known for his scoring abilities and athleticism, Newell instantly took charge. The 6-foot-9 forward finished the game with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, perfectly demonstrating both his offensive and defensive capabilities.
#4 Liam Macneeley
Liam Macneeley, another of Montverde Academy's top-tier talent, stood out in his college debut. Mcneeley, a consensus five-player and No. 10 nationally ranked recruit of the 2024 class, originally committed to Indiana. However, following the reappointment of head coach Mike Woodson, he moved to the UConn Huskies.
The decision seemed to pay off as MacNeely blasted his opponent (Sacred Heart) in the debut game, posting 18 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists, showcasing his elite shooting abilities and basketball IQ.
UConn defeated Sacred Heart 92-56, with Macneeley being the second-highest scorer after Karaban, who posted 20 points.
#5 Curtis Givens
Last but not least is Curtis Givens, who is bringing his skills to LSU. The 6-foot-3 point guard from Montverde Academy is a high-flying athlete with a knack for scoring.
His scoring abilities were apparent in his college debut against La Monroe. Putting up 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists, Givens was pivotal in his team's 95-60 victory.
