All Tar Heels

UNC Basketball: Elliot Cadeau Among 'Top 10 Freshmen' in Country

One expert ranks UNC basketball's Elliot Cadeau below only four fellow college hoops newcomers.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball logo (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)
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In the eyes of NCAA expert Andy Katz, heralded UNC basketball rookie Elliot Cadeau is the nation's fifth-best freshman entering the 2023-24 season. And he's No. 1 among the ACC's first-year collegians in Katz's eyes, which aligns with the former five-star recruit's recent preseason ACC Rookie of the Year honor.

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Katz's list features Southern Cal guard Isaiah Collier in the top spot, followed by Kentucky guard Justin Edwards, UConn guard Stephon Castle, Kentucky guard DJ Wagner, Elliot Cadeau, UCLA center Aday Mara, Colorado forward Cody Williams, Duke guard Jared McCain, Baylor guard Ja'Kobe Walter, and Michigan State forward Coen Carr.

Cadeau, a 6-foot-1 crafty playmaker who committed to UNC in December, reclassified from 2024 to 2023 in May and ranked No. 11 overall on the final 247Sports 2023 Composite.

He is one of two freshmen on a roster that contains what looks to be a promising mix of experience and young talent.

The preseason No. 19 Tar Heels' other first-year college player is 6-foot-9 forward Zayden High, a four-star as a prep who ranked No. 70 in the 2023 class and, along with Cadeau, has been impressive in the team's preseason tune-ups.

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Zayden High, Elliot Cadeau, and their more experienced teammates host Radford next Monday night in the Dean E. Smith Center to tip off UNC basketball's campaign.

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Stay tuned to All Tar Heels on SI.com for more UNC basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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