ave even been possible and that one day I would wear a Chicago Bul

Get ready to learn some new names as the college basketball season tips off this week.The 2015-16 season was billed as the year of the senior, but newcomers figure to take center stage this season with the arrival of a talented and deep freshman class.Jerry Meyer, the national director of scouting for 247Sports, calls the incoming freshman class the best since the 2007-08 season, which featured eventual NBA all-stars Derrick Rose, James Harden, Blake Griffin and Kevin Love.I would be surprised if this class doesnt eventually produce multiple NBA all-stars when its all said and done, said Eric Bossi, the director of basketball recruiting at Rivals.That represents a major change from last season, when experience was emphasized. Four of the five first-team selections on the AP All-America team last year were seniors: Virginias Malcolm Brogdon, Oklahomas Buddy Hield, North Carolinas Brice Johnson and Michigan States Denzel Valentine.The starting lineups in last seasons NCAA championship game between Villanova and North Carolina included four seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and only one freshman. The nations most celebrated freshman was LSUs Ben Simmons, who became the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft but failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.This years freshman class features much more depth.I wouldnt put anyone on that Ben Simmons level -- I really think Ben Simmons is an exceptional talent -- but I think theres a bunch of guys just a step below, Meyer said.As usual, freshmen could make the biggest impact at No. 1 Duke and No. 2 Kentucky.Dukes six-man freshman class has four of the nations top 15 prospects, according to composite rankings of recruiting websites compiled by 247Sports . That group includes forwards Harry Giles (No. 2) and Jayson Tatum (No. 4), guard Frank Jackson (No. 13) and center Marques Bolden (No. 15).As everyone can see, these guys are already talented, Duke senior forward Amile Jefferson said. They already have the tools and the gifts that God gave them to be really good basketball players.Tatum has a sprained foot and Giles underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last month that kept both players out of Dukes preseason exhibitions. Bolden is expected to miss Dukes first two regular-season games because of a leg injury.Kentuckys John Calipari landed five of the nations top 24 prospects, according to the 247Sports Composite. The new Wildcats include guards DeAaron Fox (No. 6) and Malik Monk (No. 11) and forwards Edrice Bam Adebayo (No. 9), Wenyen Gabriel (No. 14) and Sacha Killeya-Jones (No. 24). They combined for 78 points Sunday in a 156-63 exhibition blowout of NAIA Division II school Asbury.His fan base hears every year about that crop of young guys, and about every other year theyve been as good as advertised, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. This is another special group. This could be another Karl Towns-type group.Meyer noted Adebayo is going to bring something to the table that Kentucky was woefully missing last year as far as physical play inside and explosiveness.Meyer added its arguably the best class John Calipari has brought to Kentucky, though Calipari himself is reluctant to compare.Its hard to think back, Calipari said. All I can tell you is its a very smart group -- a very driven, wired group, a competitive group.But the freshman talent is spread around.No. 3 Kansas has guard Josh Jackson, rated as the nations No. 1 prospect in his class by the 247Sports Composite. No. 16 UCLA, attempting to bounce back from a rare losing season, has added guard Lonzo Ball (No. 3) and forward T.J. Leaf (No. 18). Florida State has forward Jonathan Isaac (No. 8) and No. 12 Michigan State adds forward Miles Bridges (No. 12).Bridges averaged 26.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in Michigan States two exhibition games.I think he can be one of the more versatile players that weve had since Jason Richardson, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. He shoots it pretty good. Hes stronger than most freshmen. Hes a man-child in that respect. Hes a power jumper. But hes been an incredible kid. Sometimes your top-10 or 15 players are full of themselves. Hes been as humble and hard-working and coachable a kid as Ive had.Ball leads a bumper crop of point guards that also includes Fox, Washingtons Markelle Fultz (No. 5) and North Carolina States Dennis Smith Jr. (No. 7).Ball and Leaf posted double-doubles in UCLAs exhibition victory over NAIA school The Masters University. Smith averaged 23 points and 5.0 assists in North Carolina States two exhibition games. Isaac averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in Florida States two exhibitions.Those early performances lend some credence to the notion this freshman class could live up to its considerable billing.In terms of guys who are going to make significant impacts as freshmen, its definitely going to be one of the top three or four classes of the last 16-17 years, Bossi said.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org---Follow Steve Megargee at www.twitter.com/stevemegargeeCurt Schilling Jersey . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Matt Williams Jersey . They hope to persuade the other team owners and commissioner Roger Goodell to put pressure on Redskins owner Daniel Snyder to drop the nickname they find offensive. "Given the way the meeting transpired," Ray Halbritter, an Oneida representative and leader of the "Change the Mascot Campaign," said Wednesday, "it became somewhat evident they were defending the continued use of the name. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/ .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Stephen Drew Jersey . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Greg Colbrunn Jersey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance.MIAMI -- The text of Dwyane Wades letter to Miami, released Wednesday night to The Associated Press:---Dear Miami,This has been an extremely emotional and tough decision to come to. After 13 years, I have decided to embark on a new journey with the Chicago Bulls. This was not an easy decision, but I feel I have made the right choice for myself and my family.I started my NBA career with the Miami Heat in 2003 and it has been an honor to have played with them and help build a winning franchise with three NBA championships. I look back with pride and amazement at all we have accomplished together. I want to express my gratitude to the Arison family, Pat Riley, Coach Erik Spoelstra, the coaching staff, and the entire Miami Heat organization.From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the Miami community and especially (hash)HEATNATION for all of their love and support over the years. It has been truly incredible. I am deeply moved and appreciative of the positive messages from my fans expressing that they want whats best for me and I know they will support my decision. The memoriies including championship parades and five conference titles are incredible moments we have shared that will always remain close to my heart as I begin the next chapter of my life.ddddddddddddrowing up in Robbins, Ill., I never dreamed that an NBA career could have even been possible and that one day I would wear a Chicago Bulls jersey. Watching the Bulls growing up inspired me at an early age to pursue my dream of becoming a basketball player. My most treasured memories were watching my dad play basketball on the courts of Fermi Elementary School and developing my game at the Blue Island Recreation Center. I have never forgotten where I came from and I am thankful to have an opportunity to play for the team that first fueled my love of the game. Many of my family members still live in Chicago and I am excited to return home to a city very close to my heart.I look forward to returning to my roots and to what lies ahead.Much Love and Respect,D. Wade ' ' '