Texas Longhorns fans, get ready to add another name to your roster watch list. The Fresh Faces on the Forty series continues with Joe Sterling, a sharpshooting freshman who could make an immediate impact from beyond the arc. Hailing from Encino, California, Sterling brings a flamethrower's touch to Sean Miller's squad—and at 6-foot-4, he offers impressive length for a shooter, boosting his defensive and positional versatility. He joins a standout trio of freshmen entering Austin this season.
Sterling's shooting stats are eye-popping: during the Pro16 season, he knocked down a blistering 44% of his three-pointers on eight attempts per game. According to 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein, while Sterling has faced challenges around the rim and on defense, his high basketball IQ and smooth feel for the game set him apart. He may not be a complete product yet, but his ability to stretch the floor could earn him key minutes off the bench early on.
Ranked as the No. 93 prospect nationally, Sterling is a four-star guard who committed to Texas after a standout career at Harvard-Westlake. In a recent SoCal Open Division semifinal, he posted 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, showcasing his all-around potential. Among fellow freshmen Goosby and Ogden, Sterling is considered the least likely to see consistent court time initially—but his elite shooting touch could change that. Alongside Ogden, he could serve as a "spark plug" off the bench, capable of swinging momentum with a few quick triples.
Sterling represents the penultimate feature in this series (for now). Tomorrow, we'll spotlight the newest addition to the roster: Coleman Elkens, an unranked center with intriguing long-term upside and a longer path to the court. For Texas fans, the future is bright—and it starts from deep.
