Pac-12 basketball: Which 2014 recruits will make an immediate impact as freshmen?

Stanley Johnson, Santa Ana (Ca.) Mater Dei shooting guard & Craig Victor, Henderson (Nv.) Findlay prep power forward: Committed to Arizona.

The Wildcats need to replace Nick Johnson and Aaron Gordon next season, and Stanley and Craig seem to fit the bill. Johnson has natural height and athleticism that will make him a difficult guard to attack or defend against. Victor won’t be as naturally talented as Gordon but should provide quality depth behind Brandon Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski and ensure Arizona’s backcourt remain one of the strongest in college basketball.

Kevon Looney, Milwaukee (Wi.) Hamilton power forward & Thomas Welsh, Los Angeles (Ca.) Loyola center: Committed to UCLA

With both the Wear twins graduating and Kyle Anderson likely testing the draft waters, UCLA will be in the need of quality big men these next few seasons. Enter Looney, who figures to give the Bruins some needed toughness in the interior while Tony Parker continues his development. If Welsh is ready and polished enough to provide a true low post presence, there’s an outside shot UCLA could be even more efficient on the interior next season.

Jordan McLaughlin, Rancho Cucamonga (Ca.) Etiwanda point guard: Committed to USC

No team is in more need of ball handling help than USC, one of the most turnover-prone teams in the nation. Both Pe’Shown Howard and Julian Jacobs hemorrhage the ball as much as they provide assists for their fellow Trojans. McLaughlin is extremely talented and will hopefully allow the Trojan bigs to breathe more easily as he runs the offense.

Dominique Collier, Denver (Co.) East point guard: Committed to Colorado

You look at Colorado basketball and wonder, "what is the one thing the Buffs need outside of Spencer Dinwiddie?" A point guard! The Buffs turn over the ball way too frequently to be a great basketball team, and Askia Booker has done all he can with heavy minutes. Collier should come in and ease the load off of the beleaguered guards. He’s a true point who should restore balance to the offense and get Colorado right back into the thick of Pac-12 races.

Brekkot Chapman, Roy (Ut.) power forward: Committed to Utah

Look out Pac-12. The Utes have a shot at producing the best starting five in the conference next year with the arrival of Chapman. Chapman gives Utah a much needed power forward to team with Jordan Loveridge and Dallin Bachynski on the interior. Along with playmaker Delon Wright, the Utes could be a very tough team to face on the road and even at home.

Reid Travis Minneapolis (Mn.) power forward OR Michael Humphrey, Phoenix (Az.) Sunnyslope: Committed to Stanford

Both Dwight Powell and Josh Huestis are leaving this season, meaning it’ll be up to Travis and Humphrey to come in and help out Stefan Nastic and maintain the strength of the Cardinal frontcourt.