AUBURN, Ala. – Ask any of the returning players on Auburn's team about this year's crop of newcomers, and Isaac Okoro's name is bound to come up.
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward was the most highly decorated of the incoming freshmen, ranked No. 36 overall in the 247 Sports Composite Rankings, and since arriving on campus over the summer, he has made an impression on his new teammates.
"He doesn't look like a freshman on the floor," senior guard Samir Doughty said. "He's talking like he's been here. He's working on his game and is one of our hardest workers. He's shooting the ball a lot better than anyone's expected. He's definitely a standout freshman and this season will be playing a lot more than what people think."
"Strength-wise, he's a different player," added fellow senior Danjel Purifoy. "He reminds me a lot of Mustapha Heron."
When asked about Okoro and Heron, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl thought it was a fair comparison. He coached Heron as a freshman.
"Remember, Mustapha was on the SEC All-Freshman Team (his first year)," Pearl said. "And I agree with Danjel, Isaac could be that as well. Physically, he has the ability to step in earliest among the newcomers."
Okoro might be the headliner, but he's not the only newcomer expected to make an impact for Auburn this season. Ultimately, though, playing time will come down to opportunity. With Jared Harper and Bryce Brown both now on NBA rosters this coming season, that leaves an opening in the backcourt for someone like Tyrell Jones to step in and play early.
Jones, a four-star recruit on 247 and Rivals, is also off to a quick start and with Harper gone, he's expected to back up J'Von McCormick at point guard.
"I keep telling Tyrell, 'There are a lot of things right now you're doing better than Jared Harper did when Jared was a freshman,' Pearl said. "Just to continue to encourage him. I mean it. But Jared kept getting better, and that's what Tyrell has to continue to do."
That's not to say that some of the other newcomers like Jaylin Williams or Allen Flanigan or Javon Franklin or Babatunde Akingbola aren't doing a good job. The Tigers just have more wings and post players back from last season.
"I've got to keep those young, inside players ready, willing and able to help this year's team, but as much as anything, ready to take over next year," Pearl said.
With the first game less than a month away, Auburn will lean heavily on its veterans early in the year. They know what to do, where to be. They've just been in the program longer. That was evident when the Tigers ran 5-on-5 at their Pro Day last week.
But between Okoro, Jones and the other new additions to the roster, that group will play a pivotal role in the team's success this season.