The Atlantic 10’s top-10 freshman for 2014-15

Terry Larrier (6’7, 200 lbs SF) – VCU

A consensus top-50 player in the class of 2014, Larrier becomes VCU’s highest rated recruit since 1990 McDonald’s All-American, Kendrick Warren. He’s long, explosive, can handle the ball and tries to break the backboard on every dunk. He’ll fit in perfectly in VCU’s havoc system and is a matchup nightmare for A-10 small forwards.

Jared Terrell (6’3, 220 lbs SG) – Rhode Island

Dan Hurley has wasted no time in bringing top-level talent to Kingston. Friday he landed a late steal by getting top-100 (ESPN No.79, Rivals No.66) OK State de-commit Jared Terrell to come to URI after the Weymouth, Mass native previously passed over the Rams for the Cowboys. He’s a bruiser of a guard with a college-ready body and will be a force beside EC Matthews and fellow 2014 recruit, Jarvis Garrett in a three-guard attack.

Mike Gilmore (6’9, 210 lbs PF) – VCU

Nephew of NBA Hall of Famer, Artis Gilmore, the Tallahassee, Florida native hopes to follow in his famous uncle’s footsteps and it starts as a D1 college hooper for Shaka Smart’s VCU Rams. Like all of VCU’s 2014 front court recruits, he’s long, athletic and loaded with upside. Gilmore has a nice stroke and if he can add some power to his long frame will be a stud of an A-10 player.

Justin Tillman (6’8, 190 lbs PF) – VCU

VCU needs to replace 6’9 power forward Juvonte Reddic and Tillman may just be the guy who does that. He’s a high-motor player from the motor city and an ESPN top-100 recruit. He’s long, active, can score with power or finesse around the basket and for 6’8 can handle the ball in non-pressure situations.

James Demery (6’4, 187 lbs SG) – Saint Joseph’s

Demery will help with the loss of Langston Galloway as he comes to Saint Joseph’s as a pure scorer who can kill you from deep. The Hawks will need that scoring punch next season as they lose three of their top four scorers from last year’s A-10 tourney championship squad.

Darrell Davis (6’4, 170 lbs SG) – Dayton

Davis is a top-150 combo guard who knows how to put the ball in the hoop on offense while wreaking a bit of havoc on D. His ability to get in the lane could help him get early minutes for the Flyers as he’s able to score and find open teammates. Davis was Michigan’s AP Class B Player of the Year and averaged 24.6 points per game to go along with 4 steals per contest on the defensive end.

Matt Cimino (6’9, 215 lbs PF) – George Washington

Ciminio had a number of high-major offers but opted for Lonergan’s GW squad fresh off their first NCAA tournament since 2007. The Worcester Academy product brings a nice shooting stroke and is a legit three-point threat at 6’9. Cimino is a talented post player and another BIG problem or opposing A-10 teams who must also deal with 6’10 Kevin Larsen and 6’6 Patricio Garino for the next two seasons.

Jonathan Williams (5’11, 172 lbs PG) – VCU

The Rams added another explosive point guard behind Briante Weber and JeQuan Lewis in the St. Benedict product. Williams is cat-quick and is a pest on both offense and defense — a VCU specialty. He’ll fit in perfectly in VCU’s turnover-forcing havoc system and on offense will have a number of big targets to find as one of VCU’s point guards of the future.

Shavar Newkirk (5’11, 175 lbs PG) – Saint Joseph’s

Like Williams, Newkirk is a small but aggressive point guard who can get into the paint on every possession. Newkirk has great handles and has an attacking mindset on offense, which helped him land offers from the likes of Iowa State, Providence and Seton Hall, before ultimately committing for a life in Philly to play for Martelli and the Hawks.

Davell Roby (6’4, 195 lbs G) – Saint Louis

Roby is one of many new faces SLU fans will get to know this season after losing all five starters from a team that repeated as A-10 regular season champ. He and 6’10 Brett Jolly may be the two most talented freshman to play for the Billikens next season, but with Manning, Glaze and Lancona as three of Jim Crews’ top returns, we expect Roby to make the biggest impact of the freshman in this giant class.