ESPN names Miami freshman among top newcomers in college basketball

Shelton Henderson landed at No. 35 on ESPN's ranking of the top 50 impact newcomers.
2025 ACC Basketball Media Days
2025 ACC Basketball Media Days | Thaddaeus McAdams/GettyImages

Miami freshman guard Shelton Henderson landed at No. 35 on ESPN's ranking of the top 50 impact newcomers for the 2025–26 season, a nod to both his physical maturity and the role he is expected to play under first-year head coach Jai Lucas. The ranking includes transfers, freshman and international prospects.

"Henderson is as physically ready as any freshman in the country, so Jai Lucas is likely to rely on the former Duke signee from the first game of the season. NBA scouts have frequented Coral Gables, with Henderson -- a versatile perimeter playmaker -- being the main attraction."
ESPN's Jeff Borzello

Henderson’s path to Miami has been from following the coach who recruited him. The Bellaire, Texas, native originally signed with Duke in November 2024. After Lucas was hired by Miami, Henderson received his release from Duke and committed to the Hurricanes.

The 6-foot-6 Henderson arrives with blue-chip credentials and a collegiate frame. Henderson was a five-star prospect and top-25 national recruit by the 247Sports Composite, and in his senior season at Bellaire High School he recorded averages of 22.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals. He was also a top-30 prospect in ESPN's final 2025 rankings.

ESPN's newcomers list is about immediate production, not long-term draft stock, which is why Henderson's inclusion matters for Miami immediately. Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi mentioned this disclaimer at the beginning of the list: "To come up with this list, we spoke with college coaches and NBA scouts, looked at box scores of exhibition games and "secret" scrimmages, and projected rotations and roles for hundreds of newcomers. Still, it very much remains an inexact science."

ESPN's Top 10 newcomers in college basketball

  1. Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas (Fr.)
  2. Cameron Boozer, F, Duke (Fr.)
  3. AJ Dybantsa, G/F, BYU (Fr.)
  4. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan (T)
  5. Donovan Dent, G, UCLA (T)
  6. Darrion Williams, F, NC State (T)
  7. Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville (Fr.)
  8. Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa (T)
  9. Nate Ament, F, Tennessee (Fr.)
  10. P.J. Haggerty, G, Kansas State (T)

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