As the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season approaches, it’s a good moment to highlight some key players who are likely to make waves in the coming months.
JT Toppin, JR, Texas Tech University
Toppin, a 2024-25 All-American Second Team selection, earned honors as the 2024 Mountain West Player of the Year with the University of New Mexico and the 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year at Texas Tech. Now entering his third season, he averaged 18.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game for the Red Raiders last season and faced a tough fall late in a game against Florida during the Final Four.
Jaxel Rendeborg, SR, Michigan
Having established himself as a double-double machine and a defensive powerhouse at UAB, Lendeborg is determined to show his talent to those who mainly follow major conferences. Last season, he was third in the nation for blocks per game and led the Blazers in points (17.7), rebounds (11.4), and assists (4.2).
Smith, who was a first-team All-American a year ago, is one of the unique star seniors wrapping up a full four-year stint at the same institution. In the last season, he achieved a career-high average of 15.8 points and 8.7 assists per game, which was second in the nation, and contributed significantly to Purdue reaching the Sweet 16. He also played a substantial number of minutes, boasting an impressive assist rate of 44.1 percent.
Darin Peterson, France, Kansas
This year’s freshman class is being called one of the best in a while, and Peterson stands out among them. Kansas’s head coach, Bill Self, has claimed Peterson to be the best freshman he’s ever brought in, indicating that more will be expected from him compared to previous Jayhawks. Such a high endorsement hints at his potential as a No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Dent, the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year for 2025, joins Westwood following an impressive average of 20.4 points and 6.4 assists last season at New Mexico State. UCLA’s Mick Cronin is ready to harness Dent’s skills effectively.
Divantha is quickly becoming a recognizable name in the highly touted freshman group for 2025. This season has been coined “the most anticipated season in BYU basketball history,” largely due to him. The 6’10 forward’s versatility on the court is well acknowledged, and Cougars head coach Kevin Young is inclined to give him plenty of creative freedom.
The talented guard who almost led the Cougars to a national title last season is anticipated to be a key figure for Houston, a program under Kelvin Sampson that has faced challenges. Uzan is particularly remarkable defensively, having a strong assist-to-turnover ratio, and performing well with a 42.8 percent three-point shot last season.
Trey Kaufman Wren, SR, Purdue
While Braden Smith might be recognized as the face of Purdue basketball, it was actually Trey Kaufman-Len who shone last season, leading the team with 20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and a 59.5% field goal percentage. If the team lives up to the high expectations, Kaufman-Len is likely to attract considerable media attention.
PJ Hagerty, SR, Kansas
Haggerty, the only returning player to have averaged over 21.0 ppg in the last two seasons, has recently made a surprising move, transferring from Memphis to another college program. His last season averaged 21.7 ppg with the Tigers, ranking third nationally.
Tahad Pettiford, Thor, Auburn
Pettiford could be one of the most captivating players to watch this season. Coming off a strong freshman year where he was a valuable offensive player off the bench, he averaged 11.6 points, with notable performances in key matches that helped his team reach the Final Four. Auburn’s new head coach, Stephen Pearl, will depend on Pettiford’s offensive capability this season.
Transitioning from D-II to DI last season was smooth for Staats, and he now looks to replicate that success moving from a mid-major to a larger conference. The 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year had a solid season at Drake, scoring 19.2 ppg and shooting just under 40% from three.
LaBaron Fillon, Saw, Alabama
Last season, Fillon was seen as the most NBA-ready player on Alabama’s roster. His unexpected decision to return to Tuscaloosa for another year caught many off guard. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals last year, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he claimed the “surprise” SEC Player of the Year title.
He might not be Cooper Flagg, but Cameron Boozer doesn’t need to be. His solid outside shooting, coupled with a robust 6’9 physique and remarkable rebounding ability, positions him to be a reliable double-double contributor this season in Durham.
Darrion Williams, SR, NC
Williams, the preseason ACC Player of the Year, showcased his diverse skills while guiding Texas Tech to the Elite Eight last season. With an average of 15.1 PPG and 3.6 APG last year, he’s poised for even greater success under NC State’s new coach, Will Wade.
After taking a year off, UConn is expected to re-establish itself as a leading contender for the national title in 2025-26, largely due to Ball’s impact. The 6-foot-4 wing averaged 14.4 points last season and was a standout in the Big East with a 41.4 percent success rate from three-point range.
Preseason Player of the Year Award
Yaxel Rendeborg, Michigan
