Only a few months ago, they were donning caps and gowns, teenagers graduating from high school. Now they’re off on their own, the memories of prep glory behind them. They have arrived in such places as Iowa City and Cedar Falls, Madison and Knoxville, soaking in college life and enduring the rigors of major college athletics.

Last winter was regarded by many as one of the best collections of boys’ basketball talent ever in the Metro area. First-team all-staters included a senior crop of Jarrod Uthoff of Jefferson, Josh Oglesby and Wes Washpun of Washington, and Matt Bohannon of Linn-Mar. A junior sensation, guard Marcus Paige of Linn-Mar, also made the first team.

College basketball practices began last week and already we’re getting a glimmer of how last year’s stars may contribute very quickly at the next level.

WES WASHPUN (Tennessee) – He will compete with sophomore Trae Golden for work at the point guard for Cuonzo Martin’s Volunteers. He turned heads in last Friday’s practice.

“Wes did a great job hounding the ball and he really ate up Trae in a couple of drills,’’ Tennessee assistant Kent Williams told govolsextra.com. “Wes got frustrated early, too, but that’s what we want. We want guys to learn to handle it, and Wes adjusted.’’

Martin scoffed at Washpun’s somewhat modest three-star rating out of high school.

“I gauge talent with my eyes, not what someone writes who has seen the guy two or three times,’’ Martin said. “I didn’t recruit Wes to be a scorer; I recruited him to set the tone for us defensively.’’

Washpun is happy to finally get on the collegiate court.

“For it to finally be here is a great thing because I’ve been working really hard getting ready for it,’’ he said. “I think me and Trae give Tennessee two different looks at point guard; I’m more of a defensive stopper and slasher and Trae is more of a scorer.’’

Tennessee opens Nov. 11 against NC-Greensboro, and its first road trip is 10 days later at Duke.

JARROD UTHOFF (Wisconsin) – Some observers already are predicting the 6-foot-8 Uthoff will find himself in the starting lineup, or close to it, from the outset.

“The Badgers will be looking for someone to replace Jon Leuer. They may have found their future forward in Jarrod Uthoff,’’ wrote Doug Brodess of bleacherreport.com. Leuer led Wisconsin in scoring (18.6) and rebounding (7.3) last season.

“He is an athletic combo forward who runs the floor well, uses his hops to crash the glass and can knock down the perimeter jumper. His game reminds some of former Butler front-court phenom Gordon Hayward.’’

Wisconsin’s opener is Nov. 12 against Kennesaw State. The Badgers have a road date Nov. 30 against No. 1 North Carolina and play Iowa New Year’s Eve day in Madison and Feb. 23 in Iowa City.

JOSH OGLESBY (Iowa) – He will likely see time at the guard positions in his inaugural season.

They’ve noticed his potential as far away as Columbus, Ohio.

“Josh Oglesby is very likely the next excellent Hawkeye point guard,’’ TheBuckeyeBattleCry.com reported. “Oglesby is scouted to be a great passer who rarely turns the ball over. He’s also got a good basketball IQ and a super smooth three-point shooting stroke that will make him a dangerous scorer.’’

Said Iowa Coach Fran McCaffrey recently about Oglesby and fellow incoming freshman Aaron White: “They were recruited to play. They showed that they’ve belonged. They are going to be in there.’’

Oglesby’s name was spelled wrong on the back of his jersey when he appeared at media day but it may not be long for most to get it right.

The Hawkeyes’ opener is Nov. 11 at home against Chicago State.

MATT BOHANNON (Northern Iowa) – He will compete for playing time with a guard-heavy squad and if there aren’t many minutes available, Bohannon may red-shirt.

“Of the six true freshmen, two or three or four of them are going to have to play,’’ UNI coach Ben Jacobson said. “They each bring something different. I do like them as a group.’’

Bohannon brings toughness and good shooting range to the Panthers.

“What I would tell you is that they’ll have plenty of opportunities to show that they understand that being prepared, going to practice day after day, is the most important thing,’’ Jacobson said. “So I do like them, but time will tell.’’

Northern Iowa’s first game is Nov. 12 at Old Dominion. The Panthers’ in-state games are Nov. 30 at Iowa State, Dec. 6 at home against Iowa, and two Missouri Valley Conference meetings with Drake in January.

Where are the other all-staters from last year?

Matt Tiby, a 6-8 player from Urbandale, is at Kirkwood Community College. There were three juniors on the 4A first team: Paige (North Carolina), 7-1 Adam Woodbury of Sioux City East (Iowa) and 6-7 Kale Abrahamson of West Des Moines Valley (Northwestern).

(Mark Dukes is former sports editor of the Cedar Rapid Gazette. He is co-host of The Gym Class radio show weekdays from 3-4 p.m. on KGYM-AM 1600.)