Michigan just won the national championship with five starters who began their careers elsewhere. College free agency has become an integral part of roster building, and the ability to make quick assessments on players is as important as ever.
At The Athletic, we try to give insightful, researched analysis of the best players available, using film, occasional input from coaches or NBA scouts and our own prior knowledge to shape our scouting reports and rankings. We consider remaining eligibility, positional scarcity — so wings with size and bigs are more valuable than a scoring guard — and the ability to contribute to winning. Counting stats matter, but they’re not everything.
The transfer portal closed on April 21, but players will continue to commit throughout the spring. Here are the best of the best available in 2026:
Position Center Forward Guard Wing
Availability Committed In Portal Signed
Pre-commitment Team Alabama Arizona Arizona State Arkansas Auburn Baylor Belmont Boise State Bradley Butler Cal Cal Poly Cincinnati Colorado Duke Florida Atlantic Furman Georgetown Georgia Georgia Georgia Tech Hofstra Houston Iowa Iowa State Kansas Kansas State Kent State Kentucky LSU Liberty Louisville Miami (Ohio) Missouri NC State Nebraska New Mexico North Carolina Notre Dame Ohio State Oregon Penn State Pittsburgh Portland Providence Robert Morris SMU Saint Mary’s San Diego State San Francisco San Jose State Santa Clara Seton Hall Siena South Florida St. Thomas Syracuse TCU Tennessee Texas Tech Toledo Troy Tulane Tulsa UAB UC Irvine UConn UNLV Utah Utah State Utah Valley VCU Villanova Virginia Tech Wake Forest Washington Washington State Winthrop Wisconsin
Post-commitment Team Alabama Arizona Arizona State Arkansas Auburn BYU Baylor Cincinnati Connecticut Creighton DePaul Duke Florida State Georgetown Georgia Tech Gonzaga Houston Illinois Indiana Iowa Iowa State Kansas Kentucky LSU Louisville Marquette Maryland Miami Michigan Missouri NC State Nebraska North Carolina Notre Dame Ole Miss Oregon Pittsburgh Providence SMU St. John’s Syracuse Tennessee Texas Texas A&M Texas Tech UCLA USC Utah Vanderbilt Villanova Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Xavier
Loading
Try changing or resetting your filters to see more.
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 235
Bidunga is the best player in the transfer portal and will likely remain the best player when the dust settles. The Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year has a real case as the most versatile defender in college basketball. The Congolese big man plays hard all of the time and set the tone for Kansas this season with that constant source of energy. He can slide with guards in a variety of ball-screen coverages, from straight switches to blitzes or hard hedges. Or, he can play in drop and does a solid job of swallowing up drivers by using his long arms. Bidunga led the Big 12 in blocks at 2.6 per game. Bidunga was definitely in my personal top three defenders this season.
Offensively, things are more complicated. Bidunga knows his role and only took nine shots per game this season. He’s an elite offensive rebounder who creates chances for himself. As a post player, Bidunga’s go-to move is a lefty hook shot from within six. By and large, he does take advantage of his opportunities at the rim. Just don’t expect to call on him to do more than that. His hands can let him down occasionally, and while he’s not a selfish player, I wouldn’t say that he diagnoses the court quickly.
Bidunga is also declaring for the draft. He’s seen as a potential late first-round or early second-round pick, with questions about his offensive fit and size as a center. If he does decide to play at Louisville he’ll very likely make at least double what he’d be projected to get in the NBA next season.
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 235
Bidunga is the best player in the transfer portal and will likely remain the best player when the dust settles. The Big 12’s Defensive Player of the Year has a real case as the most versatile defender in college basketball. The Congolese big man plays hard all of the time and set the tone for Kansas this season with that constant source of energy. He can slide with guards in a variety of ball-screen coverages, from straight switches to blitzes or hard hedges. Or, he can play in drop and does a solid job of swallowing up drivers by using his long arms. Bidunga led the Big 12 in blocks at 2.6 per game. Bidunga was definitely in my personal top three defenders this season.
Offensively, things are more complicated. Bidunga knows his role and only took nine shots per game this season. He’s an elite offensive rebounder who creates chances for himself. As a post player, Bidunga’s go-to move is a lefty hook shot from within six. By and large, he does take advantage of his opportunities at the rim. Just don’t expect to call on him to do more than that. His hands can let him down occasionally, and while he’s not a selfish player, I wouldn’t say that he diagnoses the court quickly.
Bidunga is also declaring for the draft. He’s seen as a potential late first-round or early second-round pick, with questions about his offensive fit and size as a center. If he does decide to play at Louisville he’ll very likely make at least double what he’d be projected to get in the NBA next season.
Forward
Committed
Kansas
Louisville
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 200
Harris was one of the better pure wing scorers in the nation, drilling a bevy of incredibly difficult shots due to the lack of help he had around him this season. But more than just the sheer volume, it was the way Harris scored that has NBA scouts highly intrigued. Harris got to the line an awful lot, averaging 7.1 free throw attempts per game largely off of straight line drives. Harris also started to show some real dexterity as a ball-screen scorer who could create his own momentum or could be used in dribble-hand-offs to attack. On top of that, Harris also showed real talent for hitting shots off screening actions, drilling 40 percent of his 3s in that situation, as well as making 12 midrange jumpers.
Yes, Harris needs to improve the way he sees the court as a passer and decision-maker. He took an awful lot of tough shots this season, often when teammates were open. Additionally, the amount of offensive load seemed to wear on him defensively, as he wasn’t always the most engaged off-ball defender. But if you put him next to better talent around him, I’m betting we see Harris average fewer than 20 points, but his efficiency will skyrocket.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 200
Harris was one of the better pure wing scorers in the nation, drilling a bevy of incredibly difficult shots due to the lack of help he had around him this season. But more than just the sheer volume, it was the way Harris scored that has NBA scouts highly intrigued. Harris got to the line an awful lot, averaging 7.1 free throw attempts per game largely off of straight line drives. Harris also started to show some real dexterity as a ball-screen scorer who could create his own momentum or could be used in dribble-hand-offs to attack. On top of that, Harris also showed real talent for hitting shots off screening actions, drilling 40 percent of his 3s in that situation, as well as making 12 midrange jumpers.
Yes, Harris needs to improve the way he sees the court as a passer and decision-maker. He took an awful lot of tough shots this season, often when teammates were open. Additionally, the amount of offensive load seemed to wear on him defensively, as he wasn’t always the most engaged off-ball defender. But if you put him next to better talent around him, I’m betting we see Harris average fewer than 20 points, but his efficiency will skyrocket.
Wing
Committed
Wake Forest
Tennessee
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 200
One half of the highest-scoring backcourt in the country, Blackwell will hit the transfer portal and look for a new home after a third-team All-Big Ten season in what was the most loaded conference in college basketball. Blackwell is a proven big-game player; in the last two seasons, in his three NCAA Tourney games, Blackwell is averaging 20.7 points per game while shooting efficiently from the field. He’s morphed into a high-volume sniper from distance, drilling 38.9 percent from 3 on over seven attempts per game this season. He’s absolutely lethal off of the catch and on the move, hitting 44.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s this year, showing the ability to make them in spot-ups, off of hand-offs or off screens. He’s also absolutely lethal as a trailer. I also think he can be physical and tough on defense when it’s required.
What are the downsides? Well, Blackwell has never really turned into a point guard, which means that you’re probably going to have to play him next to a real ballhandler to get the most out of your lineups, which also means the team could be a touch smaller when he’s on the court. Having said that, Blackwell is a proven high-major all-conference player, and those players are in short supply. He will be paid handsomely for the certainty he provides an organization that pays him.
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 200
One half of the highest-scoring backcourt in the country, Blackwell will hit the transfer portal and look for a new home after a third-team All-Big Ten season in what was the most loaded conference in college basketball. Blackwell is a proven big-game player; in the last two seasons, in his three NCAA Tourney games, Blackwell is averaging 20.7 points per game while shooting efficiently from the field. He’s morphed into a high-volume sniper from distance, drilling 38.9 percent from 3 on over seven attempts per game this season. He’s absolutely lethal off of the catch and on the move, hitting 44.2 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s this year, showing the ability to make them in spot-ups, off of hand-offs or off screens. He’s also absolutely lethal as a trailer. I also think he can be physical and tough on defense when it’s required.
What are the downsides? Well, Blackwell has never really turned into a point guard, which means that you’re probably going to have to play him next to a real ballhandler to get the most out of your lineups, which also means the team could be a touch smaller when he’s on the court. Having said that, Blackwell is a proven high-major all-conference player, and those players are in short supply. He will be paid handsomely for the certainty he provides an organization that pays him.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference Upside
Guard
Committed
Wisconsin
Duke
Ht: 6-8Wt: 225
When the best shooter in the country enters the portal, it makes waves. Momcilovic, who is also going through the NBA Draft process, was a sniper from all over the court last season, but it is his highly flammable 3-point shooting that completely changes the game for his team. He led the country in both 3-pointers made (136) and 3-point percentage (48.7), a feat that has not been matched in the past 15 seasons. His high release is almost behind his head, and at 6-8, that makes his shot nearly unblockable. He can shoot off screens or off the bounce. He can also get hot as a mid-post scorer; his fadeaway jumper is another unstoppable weapon.
Momcilovic’s defense grades out better than you’d expect for such an elite shooter: The Cyclones’ defense was 6.6 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court, per CBB Analytics. His size and smarts help him be in the right place most of the time. Still, Momcilovic’s auxiliary skills are generally nonexistent. He cannot create for others, he is largely invisible on the glass, and he did not create any disruption in a defensive scheme based almost entirely built around breeding chaos. Still, though, his combination of shooting efficiency and volume at his size combination is so impossibly rare that he instantly vaults near the top of these portal rankings.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 225
When the best shooter in the country enters the portal, it makes waves. Momcilovic, who is also going through the NBA Draft process, was a sniper from all over the court last season, but it is his highly flammable 3-point shooting that completely changes the game for his team. He led the country in both 3-pointers made (136) and 3-point percentage (48.7), a feat that has not been matched in the past 15 seasons. His high release is almost behind his head, and at 6-8, that makes his shot nearly unblockable. He can shoot off screens or off the bounce. He can also get hot as a mid-post scorer; his fadeaway jumper is another unstoppable weapon.
Momcilovic’s defense grades out better than you’d expect for such an elite shooter: The Cyclones’ defense was 6.6 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court, per CBB Analytics. His size and smarts help him be in the right place most of the time. Still, Momcilovic’s auxiliary skills are generally nonexistent. He cannot create for others, he is largely invisible on the glass, and he did not create any disruption in a defensive scheme based almost entirely built around breeding chaos. Still, though, his combination of shooting efficiency and volume at his size combination is so impossibly rare that he instantly vaults near the top of these portal rankings.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Forward
In Portal
Iowa State
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 215
Yessoufou is a big-bodied wing whose game has a little more finesse than you’d expect given his powerful frame and remarkable athletic tools. His shot diet is surprisingly jump shot heavy, with more than half of his shots coming from outside the paint. Plus, he does not draw contact frequently, and his passing vision is still developing.
That all takes away from his strengths: finishing at the rim and burying smaller defenders in the post. He has a scoring mindset, and when he puts his head down, he scores at will. Per CBB Analytics, he shot 71.7 percent at the rim, putting him in the 89th percentile nationally. And in the post, he landed in the 84th percentile in efficiency (per Synergy) on solid volume. He makes an impact as a high-effort offensive rebounder, as well.
He has the tools to be a superb defender and gets his hands on the ball frequently, though that combination has not yet fully actualized into being a wing stopper. Baylor was better on both ends of the floor without him on the court this season. The clay is highly moldable here, though, so he immediately becomes one of the best and most talented players in the portal.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 215
Yessoufou is a big-bodied wing whose game has a little more finesse than you’d expect given his powerful frame and remarkable athletic tools. His shot diet is surprisingly jump shot heavy, with more than half of his shots coming from outside the paint. Plus, he does not draw contact frequently, and his passing vision is still developing.
That all takes away from his strengths: finishing at the rim and burying smaller defenders in the post. He has a scoring mindset, and when he puts his head down, he scores at will. Per CBB Analytics, he shot 71.7 percent at the rim, putting him in the 89th percentile nationally. And in the post, he landed in the 84th percentile in efficiency (per Synergy) on solid volume. He makes an impact as a high-effort offensive rebounder, as well.
He has the tools to be a superb defender and gets his hands on the ball frequently, though that combination has not yet fully actualized into being a wing stopper. Baylor was better on both ends of the floor without him on the court this season. The clay is highly moldable here, though, so he immediately becomes one of the best and most talented players in the portal.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 220
Graves burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman at Santa Clara this year, helping the Broncos earn their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1996. He epitomizes versatility and is an elite disruptor on defense. Per KenPom, he ranked No. 196 nationally in block rate and No. 7 in steal rate. Offensively, he displayed a wide assortment of roles and his burgeoning jumper 41.3 percent from 3 and outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio demonstrate his tremendous feel.
If we’re nitpicking, his on/off numbers, Santa Clara was 4.8 points better on that end per 100 possessions when he was on the bench, per CBB Analytics. The steal and block rates are gaudy, but he still needs to add some strength and improve his positional discipline. Offensively, he will need to improve at creating his own shot.
.
If you’re looking for a high-end comparison, his statistical profile is not too far off from Yaxel Lendeborg, arguably the best transfer in the country this season. Graves will be in wildly high demand — assuming he does not go the NBA route.
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 220
Graves burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman at Santa Clara this year, helping the Broncos earn their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1996. He epitomizes versatility and is an elite disruptor on defense. Per KenPom, he ranked No. 196 nationally in block rate and No. 7 in steal rate. Offensively, he displayed a wide assortment of roles and his burgeoning jumper 41.3 percent from 3 and outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio demonstrate his tremendous feel.
If we’re nitpicking, his on/off numbers, Santa Clara was 4.8 points better on that end per 100 possessions when he was on the bench, per CBB Analytics. The steal and block rates are gaudy, but he still needs to add some strength and improve his positional discipline. Offensively, he will need to improve at creating his own shot.
.
If you’re looking for a high-end comparison, his statistical profile is not too far off from Yaxel Lendeborg, arguably the best transfer in the country this season. Graves will be in wildly high demand — assuming he does not go the NBA route.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Forward
In Portal
Santa Clara
Ht: 6-9Wt: 240
The box score stats for Punch won’t blow you away. But the key is not the big numbers; it’s the diversity of skillset that he brings to the table. Punch is a terrific 4 man in college basketball who does a little bit of everything. It starts on the defensive end where Punch carries his 240-pound frame well and is a physical defender who can switch onto opposing perimeter players and be an aggressive rim protector. He blocked 1.9 shots and grabbed 1.3 steals per game, due to great effort and terrific hand-eye coordination.
On offense, Punch was TCU’s leading scorer by getting out in transition, attacking downhill off of the catch, and through quick post-ups against switches. He’s sharp in the dunker spot, and can even occasionally break down a player off the bounce if it’s a mismatch by driving downhill. He grabs two offensive rebounds per game, too.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 240
The box score stats for Punch won’t blow you away. But the key is not the big numbers; it’s the diversity of skillset that he brings to the table. Punch is a terrific 4 man in college basketball who does a little bit of everything. It starts on the defensive end where Punch carries his 240-pound frame well and is a physical defender who can switch onto opposing perimeter players and be an aggressive rim protector. He blocked 1.9 shots and grabbed 1.3 steals per game, due to great effort and terrific hand-eye coordination.
On offense, Punch was TCU’s leading scorer by getting out in transition, attacking downhill off of the catch, and through quick post-ups against switches. He’s sharp in the dunker spot, and can even occasionally break down a player off the bounce if it’s a mismatch by driving downhill. He grabs two offensive rebounds per game, too.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Ht: 6-4Wt: 195
The nation’s No. 4 scorer this past season, Haggerty is one of the best pure bucket-getters in the entire country. Nearly 64 percent of his field goal attempts coming in the paint this season, and he converts 72.1 percent of his shots around the basket, per CBB Analytics. His best skill, though, is drawing contact. In three full college seasons, he has taken a staggering 776 free throws and will likely end his career in the top 10 in the history of the sport in that statistic.
Haggerty is on his fifth Division I school in five years. He has only impacted winning once, helping 2025 Memphis earn a No. 5 seed, but those Tigers lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. His efficiency has dropped sharply against top competition at both Kansas State and Memphis. Per CBB Analytics, Kansas State was better this season with him off the floor.
Ht: 6-4Wt: 195
The nation’s No. 4 scorer this past season, Haggerty is one of the best pure bucket-getters in the entire country. Nearly 64 percent of his field goal attempts coming in the paint this season, and he converts 72.1 percent of his shots around the basket, per CBB Analytics. His best skill, though, is drawing contact. In three full college seasons, he has taken a staggering 776 free throws and will likely end his career in the top 10 in the history of the sport in that statistic.
Haggerty is on his fifth Division I school in five years. He has only impacted winning once, helping 2025 Memphis earn a No. 5 seed, but those Tigers lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. His efficiency has dropped sharply against top competition at both Kansas State and Memphis. Per CBB Analytics, Kansas State was better this season with him off the floor.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Guard
Committed
Kansas State
Texas A&M
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170
Shelstad was a three-year starter for the Ducks while playing as an Oregon native for his home state’s team. He suffered a hand injury in December that sidelined him for the new year, but he was well on his way to a potential All-Big Ten season. You could look at the 39.1 percent field goal percentage this year and be worried, but he’s been a consistent finisher despite his size at Oregon. He upped his 3-point volume immensely this season, and a 1-for-11 game from distance against Auburn held down his percentages.
Shelstad is a terrific floor general and was a tremendous late-game creator, drilling multiple huge late-game shots to carry the Ducks to wins. He’s undeniably one of the best guards available and will be sought after by the highest-level programs seeking a guard who can calm things down, limit turnovers, and create shots.
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170
Shelstad was a three-year starter for the Ducks while playing as an Oregon native for his home state’s team. He suffered a hand injury in December that sidelined him for the new year, but he was well on his way to a potential All-Big Ten season. You could look at the 39.1 percent field goal percentage this year and be worried, but he’s been a consistent finisher despite his size at Oregon. He upped his 3-point volume immensely this season, and a 1-for-11 game from distance against Auburn held down his percentages.
Shelstad is a terrific floor general and was a tremendous late-game creator, drilling multiple huge late-game shots to carry the Ducks to wins. He’s undeniably one of the best guards available and will be sought after by the highest-level programs seeking a guard who can calm things down, limit turnovers, and create shots.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Guard
Committed
Oregon
Louisville
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 225
The Lithuanian skilled 4 man has just gotten progressively better throughout every season of his career, culminating in him being the best player on an NCAA Tournament team at Saint Mary’s this past year who averaged 18 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this past season while shooting 48 percent from the field on one of the slowest-paced teams in the country. Randy Bennett used him very effectively as a mid-post scorer who could exploit less-gifted players on the block with his size or speed, and as a triple-threat catch-and-shoot weapon.
Murauskas will now follow Bennett to Arizona State for his senior season with aims to continue that progression in the Big 12.
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 225
The Lithuanian skilled 4 man has just gotten progressively better throughout every season of his career, culminating in him being the best player on an NCAA Tournament team at Saint Mary’s this past year who averaged 18 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this past season while shooting 48 percent from the field on one of the slowest-paced teams in the country. Randy Bennett used him very effectively as a mid-post scorer who could exploit less-gifted players on the block with his size or speed, and as a triple-threat catch-and-shoot weapon.
Murauskas will now follow Bennett to Arizona State for his senior season with aims to continue that progression in the Big 12.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Forward
Committed
Saint Mary’s
Arizona State
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 210
The Estonian native came to college basketball this season and was exceptionally productive as a jumbo guard for the Friars. There is very little that Vaaks isn’t capable of as a playmaker at that size. His dribble, pass and shoot abilities are quite real, even if he’s still working through how to utilize all of his tools. He’s dynamic in ball-screens, can drill shots off movement where he’s a volume gunner taking nearly nine attempts per game, and can also throw passes. It’s not hard to squint and see NBA upside.
The issue? Vaaks might have been the worst defensive player in the Big East. He consistently got beaten off the bounce, and his engagement levels weren’t at the level they consistently needed to be at. He was a major reason Providence had one of the worst defenses in high-major basketball, and the Friars were six points worse per 100 possessions on defense with him on the court. The team that recruits him will need a strong defensive infrastructure. With that said, expect a significant high-major program to bet on his ceiling, where he could easily turn into an all-conference player as soon as next year.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 210
The Estonian native came to college basketball this season and was exceptionally productive as a jumbo guard for the Friars. There is very little that Vaaks isn’t capable of as a playmaker at that size. His dribble, pass and shoot abilities are quite real, even if he’s still working through how to utilize all of his tools. He’s dynamic in ball-screens, can drill shots off movement where he’s a volume gunner taking nearly nine attempts per game, and can also throw passes. It’s not hard to squint and see NBA upside.
The issue? Vaaks might have been the worst defensive player in the Big East. He consistently got beaten off the bounce, and his engagement levels weren’t at the level they consistently needed to be at. He was a major reason Providence had one of the worst defenses in high-major basketball, and the Friars were six points worse per 100 possessions on defense with him on the court. The team that recruits him will need a strong defensive infrastructure. With that said, expect a significant high-major program to bet on his ceiling, where he could easily turn into an all-conference player as soon as next year.
Grade
High-Major All-Conference
Guard
Committed
Providence
Illinois
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 190
Undoubtedly one of the best two-way wings to hit the transfer portal this cycle. Byrd has been on the NBA’s radar for the last two years due to his disruptive defensive play and willingness to take 3s. He won the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year award this past season due to his quickness, length and hand-eye coordination, flying around the court in help situations and averaging 1.9 steals to go with 1.2 blocks per game. Any defense in the country will be drastically helped by his presence, as he’s capable of guarding across the perimeter spectrum from 1 through 3 with ease.
The bigger questions come on offense. Byrd has always been a very willing shooter. However, he’s never really made shots. He’s a career 30.5 percent 3-point shooter on 400 attempts in his career. San Diego State’s offense is rather archaic, and many of these shots end up being a bit more contested than normal. He’s also not all that strong and can struggle to deal with contact on his drives. But if a team has high-level creators, Byrd could flourish on offense with some offseason improvement and be one of the best two-way wings in the country.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 190
Undoubtedly one of the best two-way wings to hit the transfer portal this cycle. Byrd has been on the NBA’s radar for the last two years due to his disruptive defensive play and willingness to take 3s. He won the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year award this past season due to his quickness, length and hand-eye coordination, flying around the court in help situations and averaging 1.9 steals to go with 1.2 blocks per game. Any defense in the country will be drastically helped by his presence, as he’s capable of guarding across the perimeter spectrum from 1 through 3 with ease.
The bigger questions come on offense. Byrd has always been a very willing shooter. However, he’s never really made shots. He’s a career 30.5 percent 3-point shooter on 400 attempts in his career. San Diego State’s offense is rather archaic, and many of these shots end up being a bit more contested than normal. He’s also not all that strong and can struggle to deal with contact on his drives. But if a team has high-level creators, Byrd could flourish on offense with some offseason improvement and be one of the best two-way wings in the country.
Guard
Signed
San Diego State
Providence
Ht: 7-2Wt: 250
Thiam played his freshman season at UCF and then transferred to play his sophomore year at Cincinnati. He helped the Bearcats finish 10th in adjusted defense and is a presence with his length. Offensively, he’s more raw. He’s best as a cutter and roller when he can just catch and finish. He’s capable of making a jumper, but he’s a little too trigger-happy and very streaky. It’s an awkward release, and he’s shot 29 percent from 3 in two seasons, averaging two attempts per game.
With his back to the basket, he struggles to hold his ground and can get pushed off his spot. He can always get his shot off with either a jump hook or turnaround, but he’s not super efficient — 0.88 points per possession on post-ups, per Synergy. He gets in trouble when he tries to back his man down, often losing his dribble in those scenarios. But the defense is real, and he was productive for Cincy.
Ht: 7-2Wt: 250
Thiam played his freshman season at UCF and then transferred to play his sophomore year at Cincinnati. He helped the Bearcats finish 10th in adjusted defense and is a presence with his length. Offensively, he’s more raw. He’s best as a cutter and roller when he can just catch and finish. He’s capable of making a jumper, but he’s a little too trigger-happy and very streaky. It’s an awkward release, and he’s shot 29 percent from 3 in two seasons, averaging two attempts per game.
With his back to the basket, he struggles to hold his ground and can get pushed off his spot. He can always get his shot off with either a jump hook or turnaround, but he’s not super efficient — 0.88 points per possession on post-ups, per Synergy. He gets in trouble when he tries to back his man down, often losing his dribble in those scenarios. But the defense is real, and he was productive for Cincy.
Center
Signed
Cincinnati
Michigan
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Hill couldn’t have asked for a better spotlight on him than his Round of 64 game against North Carolina, where the 6-foot-3 guard dominated the Tar Heels in front of the world with 34 points, five rebounds and five assists that included a massive run during the team’s 19-point comeback in the second half. But that wasn’t all Hill did this season. He was a first-team All-Atlantic-10 as a dynamic scorer. He drilled 37 percent of his six 3-point attempts per game this season both of the pull-up and catch-and-shoot variety.
He is more combo guard than lead, but he’s so explosive as a scorer that teams with good wings and bigs who can pass could make it work. He’s a good ball-screen playmaker, but I actually like him best off of the catch, where he can knock down shots from distance or attack off of the bounce. I love the way he uses the threat of his shot to attack defenders.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Hill couldn’t have asked for a better spotlight on him than his Round of 64 game against North Carolina, where the 6-foot-3 guard dominated the Tar Heels in front of the world with 34 points, five rebounds and five assists that included a massive run during the team’s 19-point comeback in the second half. But that wasn’t all Hill did this season. He was a first-team All-Atlantic-10 as a dynamic scorer. He drilled 37 percent of his six 3-point attempts per game this season both of the pull-up and catch-and-shoot variety.
He is more combo guard than lead, but he’s so explosive as a scorer that teams with good wings and bigs who can pass could make it work. He’s a good ball-screen playmaker, but I actually like him best off of the catch, where he can knock down shots from distance or attack off of the bounce. I love the way he uses the threat of his shot to attack defenders.
Guard
Committed
VCU
Tennessee
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Johnson toiled in relative obscurity at Colorado, but his tremendous shot-making and complementary skills make him an enticing upside play after a highly productive freshman campaign. He shot well on catch and shoot attempts (75th percentile, per Synergy) and dribble jumpers (85th percentile) while doing both at a fairly high volume, and his easy lefty stroke certainly passes the eye test. He also lived at the free throw line, ranking 110th nationally in fouls drawn per 40 minutes. He knows how to invite contact and earn free points.
The question is whether Johnson can handle being a full-time point guard at the power conference level or if he is an undersized combo guard. He was excellent as a scorer in ball screens (88th percentile), but he is wired more to get his own shot than to create for others. If he cannot hold up as a point guard, his size and subsequent defensive limitations will limit his overall effectiveness.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Johnson toiled in relative obscurity at Colorado, but his tremendous shot-making and complementary skills make him an enticing upside play after a highly productive freshman campaign. He shot well on catch and shoot attempts (75th percentile, per Synergy) and dribble jumpers (85th percentile) while doing both at a fairly high volume, and his easy lefty stroke certainly passes the eye test. He also lived at the free throw line, ranking 110th nationally in fouls drawn per 40 minutes. He knows how to invite contact and earn free points.
The question is whether Johnson can handle being a full-time point guard at the power conference level or if he is an undersized combo guard. He was excellent as a scorer in ball screens (88th percentile), but he is wired more to get his own shot than to create for others. If he cannot hold up as a point guard, his size and subsequent defensive limitations will limit his overall effectiveness.
Guard
Committed
Colorado
Texas
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
NBA scouts are genuinely intrigued by Able, who has decided to declare for the draft in addition to hitting the portal. Why would they be interested in a freshman who shot 41 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3? Honestly, it’s fairly easy to dismiss the inconsistencies of his freshman season while placing some blame on what seemed to be a total mess in Raleigh this year under Will Wade, where the team was talented but never seemed to gel. For his part, Able got better as the year went on, averaging 10.3 points while shooting 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3 in his final 12 games.
He clearly has terrific touch and can hit shots from all three levels of the court, and at 6-6, he has the exact kind of size that you’re looking for from a guard. Beyond that, I actually liked his defensive engagement and intensity, as he seemed to have great timing jumping passing lanes, averaging 1.2 steals in just 21 minutes per night. Essentially, from a scouting perspective with Able, everything looks the way it’s supposed to look, and scouts were left wondering throughout the year why Will Wade didn’t play him more consistently. I’m betting on a big leap in his new environment, wherever that may be.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
NBA scouts are genuinely intrigued by Able, who has decided to declare for the draft in addition to hitting the portal. Why would they be interested in a freshman who shot 41 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3? Honestly, it’s fairly easy to dismiss the inconsistencies of his freshman season while placing some blame on what seemed to be a total mess in Raleigh this year under Will Wade, where the team was talented but never seemed to gel. For his part, Able got better as the year went on, averaging 10.3 points while shooting 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3 in his final 12 games.
He clearly has terrific touch and can hit shots from all three levels of the court, and at 6-6, he has the exact kind of size that you’re looking for from a guard. Beyond that, I actually liked his defensive engagement and intensity, as he seemed to have great timing jumping passing lanes, averaging 1.2 steals in just 21 minutes per night. Essentially, from a scouting perspective with Able, everything looks the way it’s supposed to look, and scouts were left wondering throughout the year why Will Wade didn’t play him more consistently. I’m betting on a big leap in his new environment, wherever that may be.
Guard
Committed
NC State
North Carolina
Ht: 6-3Wt: 195
Mingo is a former top-50 recruit who had a tremendous freshman season at Penn State. NBA scouts have interest in tracking his development as a big, long guard who is athletic, sharp on offense as a decision-maker, and can really defend. An excellent slasher, Mingo plays with great bend and flexibility to out-leverage his opponents while also maintaining the strength to absorb bumps from defenders. He also possesses a nice in-between game with pull-ups and awkward little floaters. The big issue with Mingo is that he needs to shoot from distance at some point. He’s long been a sub-30 percent 3-point shooter.
One important wrinkle worth noting is Mingo’s brother, Dylan, a top-five recruit in the 2026 class who is unattached to a school. However, if the brothers want to play together, their games aren’t complementary of one another since they’re both weak shooters from distance. It’ll be interesting to see if they choose to stay apart or play together.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 195
Mingo is a former top-50 recruit who had a tremendous freshman season at Penn State. NBA scouts have interest in tracking his development as a big, long guard who is athletic, sharp on offense as a decision-maker, and can really defend. An excellent slasher, Mingo plays with great bend and flexibility to out-leverage his opponents while also maintaining the strength to absorb bumps from defenders. He also possesses a nice in-between game with pull-ups and awkward little floaters. The big issue with Mingo is that he needs to shoot from distance at some point. He’s long been a sub-30 percent 3-point shooter.
One important wrinkle worth noting is Mingo’s brother, Dylan, a top-five recruit in the 2026 class who is unattached to a school. However, if the brothers want to play together, their games aren’t complementary of one another since they’re both weak shooters from distance. It’ll be interesting to see if they choose to stay apart or play together.
Guard
Committed
Penn State
Baylor
Ht: 6-0Wt: 190
Burton is a small-but-lethal lead guard scorer who excels at creating his own shot. His junior season was cut short by injury after just 10 games, but as a sophomore, he averaged 23.5 PPG in ACC play on 44.5 percent shooting from the field (40.2 percent from deep) en route to a second team All-ACC slot. He’s outstanding in both pick-and-roll (87th percentile in efficiency as a scorer, per Synergy) and isolation (90th percentile).
He is especially effective off the bounce, cashing in on pull-ups at excellent rates for two straight years. In ball screens, his numbers dip noticeably when opponents force him to be a passer, but that could say more about his Notre Dame teammates, as he does show some impressive reads. At his smaller stature, he can really struggle if the defense hedges hard with length.Burton’s size makes him a target defensively at times. He plays hard and has solid instincts, and he actually grades out will via defensive analytics (97th percentile in DRAPM, per CBB Analytics). But opponents can go at him in targeted mismatches or via switches.
Ht: 6-0Wt: 190
Burton is a small-but-lethal lead guard scorer who excels at creating his own shot. His junior season was cut short by injury after just 10 games, but as a sophomore, he averaged 23.5 PPG in ACC play on 44.5 percent shooting from the field (40.2 percent from deep) en route to a second team All-ACC slot. He’s outstanding in both pick-and-roll (87th percentile in efficiency as a scorer, per Synergy) and isolation (90th percentile).
He is especially effective off the bounce, cashing in on pull-ups at excellent rates for two straight years. In ball screens, his numbers dip noticeably when opponents force him to be a passer, but that could say more about his Notre Dame teammates, as he does show some impressive reads. At his smaller stature, he can really struggle if the defense hedges hard with length.Burton’s size makes him a target defensively at times. He plays hard and has solid instincts, and he actually grades out will via defensive analytics (97th percentile in DRAPM, per CBB Analytics). But opponents can go at him in targeted mismatches or via switches.
Guard
Committed
Notre Dame
Indiana
Ht: 6-11Wt: 260
Cyril is a tremendous rim deterrent who swatted 2.2 per game. Opponents took three fewer shots per 40 minutes at the rim with Cyril on the court than off, as his tremendous size caused issues. You need to play him in drop coverage to get the most out of him on that end, but he’s terrific in that role. It would also be valuable to pair him with a strong defensive rebounder at the 4 who can go up and get the ball.
Offensively, Cyril is efficient but limited. He made a ridiculous 75.9 percent of his shots and dunked nearly 60 percent of his attempts at the rim. That is one of the highest dunk rates in the country, and if you can stop him from throwing it down, he only makes 57 percent of his layups, per Synergy. He also crashed the offensive glass hard. But overall, Cyril is big, good on defense, and knows what he is on offense. You can win a lot of games with him as your starting center, and he was the most impactful player on Georgia’s roster in terms of team performance.
Ht: 6-11Wt: 260
Cyril is a tremendous rim deterrent who swatted 2.2 per game. Opponents took three fewer shots per 40 minutes at the rim with Cyril on the court than off, as his tremendous size caused issues. You need to play him in drop coverage to get the most out of him on that end, but he’s terrific in that role. It would also be valuable to pair him with a strong defensive rebounder at the 4 who can go up and get the ball.
Offensively, Cyril is efficient but limited. He made a ridiculous 75.9 percent of his shots and dunked nearly 60 percent of his attempts at the rim. That is one of the highest dunk rates in the country, and if you can stop him from throwing it down, he only makes 57 percent of his layups, per Synergy. He also crashed the offensive glass hard. But overall, Cyril is big, good on defense, and knows what he is on offense. You can win a lot of games with him as your starting center, and he was the most impactful player on Georgia’s roster in terms of team performance.
Center
Committed
Georgia
Miami
Ht: 6-10Wt: 240
Sherrell has great size and is capable of playing out on the perimeter. For such a big guy, he can flip his hips and re-screen fairly quickly. Whoever lands him is getting a player who has had a good education in the pick-and-roll game after two years at Alabama. He isn’t quick off the ground but has good touch. He’s also made 41 3s at a 33.6 percent clip in two seasons. He’s closer to average as a shooter but at least good enough that he can’t be left alone. He has the type of skill where it’s likely he’d have success as a back-to-the-basket scorer, but that’s just not something Alabama does.
Defensively, Sherrell moves his feet well for a guy of his build and can defend without fouling (3.5 fouls per 40 minutes). He defends with his chest, and you’re not moving him. He can block shots both on the ball and as a help-side defender and had an 8.5 percent block rate.
Ht: 6-10Wt: 240
Sherrell has great size and is capable of playing out on the perimeter. For such a big guy, he can flip his hips and re-screen fairly quickly. Whoever lands him is getting a player who has had a good education in the pick-and-roll game after two years at Alabama. He isn’t quick off the ground but has good touch. He’s also made 41 3s at a 33.6 percent clip in two seasons. He’s closer to average as a shooter but at least good enough that he can’t be left alone. He has the type of skill where it’s likely he’d have success as a back-to-the-basket scorer, but that’s just not something Alabama does.
Defensively, Sherrell moves his feet well for a guy of his build and can defend without fouling (3.5 fouls per 40 minutes). He defends with his chest, and you’re not moving him. He can block shots both on the ball and as a help-side defender and had an 8.5 percent block rate.
Forward
Committed
Alabama
Indiana
Ht: 6-5Wt: 190
McNeil is an absolute sniper from distance and showcased it this season under at NC State. His selling point is the 42.7 percent mark he hit from beyond the 3-point line on 7.2 attempts per game. He’s as versatile a shooter as you’ll find. Per Synergy, McNeil hit the third-most 3s in the country this year off of screens, and made those shots at a truly obscene 48.5 percent. That mark off of screens from 3 was the second-highest percentage among the top-50 players nationally in 3-pointers made off of screens, too. Given his volume and percentage, McNeil was the best shooter in the country this season shooting off movement.
McNeil certainly has a lot to work on. He needs to get stronger because he struggles quite a bit on defense right now. Also, you’d like to see McNeil’s game as a decision-maker improve, and he’s also not impressive as a driver. But McNeil’s ability to fire from distance is second-to-none. He has decided to return to NC State and new coach Justin Gainey.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 190
McNeil is an absolute sniper from distance and showcased it this season under at NC State. His selling point is the 42.7 percent mark he hit from beyond the 3-point line on 7.2 attempts per game. He’s as versatile a shooter as you’ll find. Per Synergy, McNeil hit the third-most 3s in the country this year off of screens, and made those shots at a truly obscene 48.5 percent. That mark off of screens from 3 was the second-highest percentage among the top-50 players nationally in 3-pointers made off of screens, too. Given his volume and percentage, McNeil was the best shooter in the country this season shooting off movement.
McNeil certainly has a lot to work on. He needs to get stronger because he struggles quite a bit on defense right now. Also, you’d like to see McNeil’s game as a decision-maker improve, and he’s also not impressive as a driver. But McNeil’s ability to fire from distance is second-to-none. He has decided to return to NC State and new coach Justin Gainey.
Wing
Committed
NC State
NC State
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 215
Avdalas took college basketball by storm in the opening weeks of the season. At 6-foot-8 with serious on-ball skills as a passer and playmaker, he looks the part of a future NBA player. However, he never quite sustained the level he showed when he dropped 33 points and six assists against Providence. In total for the season, Avdalas was not strong enough to consistently get to the rim and was not a good enough shooter to threaten defenses.
Still, there are just so many reasons to be excited about recruiting Avdalas. He’s an incredible passer at his size with an over 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. His playmaking out of ball screens particularly stands out for his pace and footwork. Defensively, he needs to get more engaged off the ball, but he’s big enough to hide. In the right scheme, where he has space to operate, he has All-American and certainly all-conference upside.
Ht: 6-8 Wt: 215
Avdalas took college basketball by storm in the opening weeks of the season. At 6-foot-8 with serious on-ball skills as a passer and playmaker, he looks the part of a future NBA player. However, he never quite sustained the level he showed when he dropped 33 points and six assists against Providence. In total for the season, Avdalas was not strong enough to consistently get to the rim and was not a good enough shooter to threaten defenses.
Still, there are just so many reasons to be excited about recruiting Avdalas. He’s an incredible passer at his size with an over 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio. His playmaking out of ball screens particularly stands out for his pace and footwork. Defensively, he needs to get more engaged off the ball, but he’s big enough to hide. In the right scheme, where he has space to operate, he has All-American and certainly all-conference upside.
Guard
Committed
Virginia Tech
North Carolina
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 210
The Missouri Valley has a track record of producing strong transfers, and Lundblade should be no exception. After starting his career at TCU, Lundblade moved to Belmont in 2024-25 and became one of the best snipers in college basketball. In his two seasons with the Bruins, Lundblade drilled a truly ridiculous 44 percent of his 499 3-point attempts. He drills them off of movement or pull-ups, and became an extremely capable primary offensive weapon. He makes good decisions with the ball and is strong enough to guard. Coaching staffs will have to account for him with speed out there in case he gets beaten.
Already 24 years old, Lundblade will enter his seventh collegiate season. He declined a scholarship offer from Charlotte to chase a preferred walk-on role at SMU. He redshirted that season, but coach Tim Jankovich was fired and he decided to try his luck as a walk-on at TCU, where he eventually earned a scholarship. However, TCU pulled his scholarship, and Lundblade decided to pay his own way to play at Belmont.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 210
The Missouri Valley has a track record of producing strong transfers, and Lundblade should be no exception. After starting his career at TCU, Lundblade moved to Belmont in 2024-25 and became one of the best snipers in college basketball. In his two seasons with the Bruins, Lundblade drilled a truly ridiculous 44 percent of his 499 3-point attempts. He drills them off of movement or pull-ups, and became an extremely capable primary offensive weapon. He makes good decisions with the ball and is strong enough to guard. Coaching staffs will have to account for him with speed out there in case he gets beaten.
Already 24 years old, Lundblade will enter his seventh collegiate season. He declined a scholarship offer from Charlotte to chase a preferred walk-on role at SMU. He redshirted that season, but coach Tim Jankovich was fired and he decided to try his luck as a walk-on at TCU, where he eventually earned a scholarship. However, TCU pulled his scholarship, and Lundblade decided to pay his own way to play at Belmont.
Wing
Committed
Belmont
Tennessee
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 265
Hines is a big-bodied defensive player who profiles well towards winning basketball. He came off the bench to play 18 minutes per game for the Pirates, but quickly established himself as one of the best rim deterrents in the Eastern part of the country. Hines blocked 2.2 shots per game in those 18 minutes and was a constant presence at the basket. Opponents shot just 55 percent at the rim when he was on the court versus 61 percent when he was off of it, per CBB Analytics. But even beyond that, he’s balanced in his movements away from the rim and has no issues with his coordination. He’s not necessarily a switch defender, but he can scramble well. He was Seton Hall’s second-most impactful player in terms of impact when he was on the court behind Budd Clark.
Offensively, Hines is definitely a bit limited but knows his role and sticks to it. He rolls hard to the rim, crashes the offensive glass and is a good finisher when he gets his chances. He can’t really create his own shot, but he does have solid touch as a finisher on his layups. Hines just plays hard all the time and is the kind of big that every team should want. He should move into the starting lineup next season and provide a positive impact for UConn.
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 265
Hines is a big-bodied defensive player who profiles well towards winning basketball. He came off the bench to play 18 minutes per game for the Pirates, but quickly established himself as one of the best rim deterrents in the Eastern part of the country. Hines blocked 2.2 shots per game in those 18 minutes and was a constant presence at the basket. Opponents shot just 55 percent at the rim when he was on the court versus 61 percent when he was off of it, per CBB Analytics. But even beyond that, he’s balanced in his movements away from the rim and has no issues with his coordination. He’s not necessarily a switch defender, but he can scramble well. He was Seton Hall’s second-most impactful player in terms of impact when he was on the court behind Budd Clark.
Offensively, Hines is definitely a bit limited but knows his role and sticks to it. He rolls hard to the rim, crashes the offensive glass and is a good finisher when he gets his chances. He can’t really create his own shot, but he does have solid touch as a finisher on his layups. Hines just plays hard all the time and is the kind of big that every team should want. He should move into the starting lineup next season and provide a positive impact for UConn.
Center
Committed
Seton Hall
Connecticut
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 240
Estrella mostly came off the bench for Tennessee this season behind Felix Okpara, but he did start 13 games as one of a rotating cast of bigs. The Vols were 11.3 points per 100 possessions better when Estrella was on the court versus when he was off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of his offensive skill. Estrella has good hands, helps to move the ball quickly, finishes efficiently around the rim and also plays hard by crashing the offensive glass. He shot 59.6 percent from the field while also grabbing 2.8 offensive rebounds per game in just 18 minutes per night.
Estrella can scale up his minute load in a different situation, and potentially flourish even more. He’s a smart positional defender who doesn’t give up much on that end, but it’s more about how his offense could progress further by getting into a more modern construction. He hit four 3s this past season, and looks to have the kind of jumper that might be able to flourish if he’s given some latitude to explore it. Estrella played three years at Tennessee but should have two seasons of eligibility after he missed most of last season with a left foot injury. However, it’s worth noting that the same foot injury did cause him to miss some time this season, too, with some soreness.
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 240
Estrella mostly came off the bench for Tennessee this season behind Felix Okpara, but he did start 13 games as one of a rotating cast of bigs. The Vols were 11.3 points per 100 possessions better when Estrella was on the court versus when he was off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of his offensive skill. Estrella has good hands, helps to move the ball quickly, finishes efficiently around the rim and also plays hard by crashing the offensive glass. He shot 59.6 percent from the field while also grabbing 2.8 offensive rebounds per game in just 18 minutes per night.
Estrella can scale up his minute load in a different situation, and potentially flourish even more. He’s a smart positional defender who doesn’t give up much on that end, but it’s more about how his offense could progress further by getting into a more modern construction. He hit four 3s this past season, and looks to have the kind of jumper that might be able to flourish if he’s given some latitude to explore it. Estrella played three years at Tennessee but should have two seasons of eligibility after he missed most of last season with a left foot injury. However, it’s worth noting that the same foot injury did cause him to miss some time this season, too, with some soreness.
Center
Committed
Tennessee
Michigan
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 205
An immensely talented former five-star recruit, Freeman is a mobile four-man who can score at all three levels thanks to his fluid athleticism and solid touch. Both of his first two seasons have been interrupted by injuries, but when on the court, he’s flashed the physical tools and skill level that made him such an enticing prospect coming out of IMG Academy. He is a savvy finisher around the bucket (73 percent at the rim, per CBB Analytics), and he knows how to use his physical tools to get to the charity stripe against inferior defenders.
Freeman’s motor does not always run hot, though, and he tends to fall in love with his jumper, which can be very hit or miss (particularly from beyond the arc). That is especially the case against top competition, and his efficiency tanked against the best opponents on Syracuse’s schedule. His shooting mechanics are sound, though, and he is a strong free-throw shooter, so the tantalizing potential remains. Maintaining that jumper while adding strength will be critical, as Freeman is still somewhat thin.
Ht: 6-9 Wt: 205
An immensely talented former five-star recruit, Freeman is a mobile four-man who can score at all three levels thanks to his fluid athleticism and solid touch. Both of his first two seasons have been interrupted by injuries, but when on the court, he’s flashed the physical tools and skill level that made him such an enticing prospect coming out of IMG Academy. He is a savvy finisher around the bucket (73 percent at the rim, per CBB Analytics), and he knows how to use his physical tools to get to the charity stripe against inferior defenders.
Freeman’s motor does not always run hot, though, and he tends to fall in love with his jumper, which can be very hit or miss (particularly from beyond the arc). That is especially the case against top competition, and his efficiency tanked against the best opponents on Syracuse’s schedule. His shooting mechanics are sound, though, and he is a strong free-throw shooter, so the tantalizing potential remains. Maintaining that jumper while adding strength will be critical, as Freeman is still somewhat thin.
Forward
Committed
Syracuse
St. John’s
Ht: 6-8Wt: 215
Khamenia will try to find a different home after coming off the bench despite a five-star recruiting track record that led many to believe he was a potential one-and-done player. At 6-foot-8, Khamenia was asked to slot into a role next to Cameron Boozer and didn’t really get to showcase many of the skills that made him so sought after. In high school, there were few players who were a better combination of shooting and passing ability. He made rapid decisions from the wing and seemed like he could take on real usage or slot in next to stars.
I wouldn’t say this was a lost season for Khamenia, but we also probably didn’t get to see the full picture. I’d bet on Khamenia taking a big leap in his next landing spot, as he has all of the tools to be a wildly impactful college basketball player who likely goes on to the NBA.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 215
Khamenia will try to find a different home after coming off the bench despite a five-star recruiting track record that led many to believe he was a potential one-and-done player. At 6-foot-8, Khamenia was asked to slot into a role next to Cameron Boozer and didn’t really get to showcase many of the skills that made him so sought after. In high school, there were few players who were a better combination of shooting and passing ability. He made rapid decisions from the wing and seemed like he could take on real usage or slot in next to stars.
I wouldn’t say this was a lost season for Khamenia, but we also probably didn’t get to see the full picture. I’d bet on Khamenia taking a big leap in his next landing spot, as he has all of the tools to be a wildly impactful college basketball player who likely goes on to the NBA.
Forward
Committed
Duke
Connecticut
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180
Villanova rolled out the red carpet and gave Lewis the keys to the offense, who helped lead the team to a surprising NCAA Tournament appearance. Their reward? Lewis decided to hit the transfer portal. A second-team All-Big East selection, Lewis brings NBA-level creativity and passing ability. He plays fast, and his vision is superb, finding open teammates at the rim with ease. He also deals well with contact at the rim, even if that hasn’t turned into free-throw attempts. Lewis isn’t a particularly good shooter right now. The lefty made just 58.3 percent of his free throws and 27 percent of his 3s. How he improves as a scorer will tell the tale of his future.
Another part of Lewis’ game that will tell his future? His defense. Lewis averaged 1.9 steals per game but was not good enough at the point of attack or as a rotational team defender. Willard clearly didn’t feel comfortable with him on defense in late-game situations. Lewis has real long-term upside, but there are flaws that teams will need to work through. Overall, Villanova was 6.4 points per 100 possessions worse when Lewis was on the court versus off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of that negative defensive impact.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 180
Villanova rolled out the red carpet and gave Lewis the keys to the offense, who helped lead the team to a surprising NCAA Tournament appearance. Their reward? Lewis decided to hit the transfer portal. A second-team All-Big East selection, Lewis brings NBA-level creativity and passing ability. He plays fast, and his vision is superb, finding open teammates at the rim with ease. He also deals well with contact at the rim, even if that hasn’t turned into free-throw attempts. Lewis isn’t a particularly good shooter right now. The lefty made just 58.3 percent of his free throws and 27 percent of his 3s. How he improves as a scorer will tell the tale of his future.
Another part of Lewis’ game that will tell his future? His defense. Lewis averaged 1.9 steals per game but was not good enough at the point of attack or as a rotational team defender. Willard clearly didn’t feel comfortable with him on defense in late-game situations. Lewis has real long-term upside, but there are flaws that teams will need to work through. Overall, Villanova was 6.4 points per 100 possessions worse when Lewis was on the court versus off the court, per CBB Analytics, largely because of that negative defensive impact.
Guard
Committed
Villanova
Miami
Ht: 7-1Wt: 230
Diop burst onto the scene immediately in Tempe, starting every game and impressing immensely with his mobility and athleticism. Diop’s speed makes him a terror in transition, and he should evolve into a tremendous lob threat in the pick-and-roll. He racked up 53 dunks on the season, and he posted a block rate of 8.5 percent in Big 12 play, good for No. 2 in the league. Per KenPom, two of his closest statistical comparisons are the freshman versions of Kel’el Ware and Ryan Kalkbrenner; following either trajectory would be an outstanding outcome for the Senegal native.
Diop needs to add strength and improve his rebounder. He can get bullied into bad position, and he cannot always anchor when physical opponents bump him off the block. He was acceptable as a post scorer for a freshman, but he struggled badly if the defense sent help, as evidenced by his 0.56 assist/turnover ratio. Still, the overall physical and skill package here is fascinating, and he could blossom into a star at Gonzaga.
Ht: 7-1Wt: 230
Diop burst onto the scene immediately in Tempe, starting every game and impressing immensely with his mobility and athleticism. Diop’s speed makes him a terror in transition, and he should evolve into a tremendous lob threat in the pick-and-roll. He racked up 53 dunks on the season, and he posted a block rate of 8.5 percent in Big 12 play, good for No. 2 in the league. Per KenPom, two of his closest statistical comparisons are the freshman versions of Kel’el Ware and Ryan Kalkbrenner; following either trajectory would be an outstanding outcome for the Senegal native.
Diop needs to add strength and improve his rebounder. He can get bullied into bad position, and he cannot always anchor when physical opponents bump him off the block. He was acceptable as a post scorer for a freshman, but he struggled badly if the defense sent help, as evidenced by his 0.56 assist/turnover ratio. Still, the overall physical and skill package here is fascinating, and he could blossom into a star at Gonzaga.
Center
Committed
Arizona State
Gonzaga
Ht: 6-7Wt: 220
A top 20 recruit in 2025 by RSCI, Haralson was incredibly productive as a freshman, albeit on extremely high usage and lacking some efficiency as a shooter. He shot 51.5 percent from the field but 67.4 percent from the charity stripe, and he only made five 3s all season at a dismal 20.0 percent. Haralson carried an immense burden for the disappointing Irish, who failed to qualify for the ACC tournament.
Haralson was likely miscast as the Fighting Irish’s primary playmaker once Markus Burton went down with an injury, resulting in him posting more turnovers (74) than assists (69) for the season. He has strong passing vision, but Notre Dame lacked creation without Burton, and opponents found it easy to swarm Haralson. He excels at attacking mismatches from the mid-post, where he can use his height to pick out open shooters and cutters. He needs to add some semblance of a jumper and would be better served playing next to more talent.
Ht: 6-7Wt: 220
A top 20 recruit in 2025 by RSCI, Haralson was incredibly productive as a freshman, albeit on extremely high usage and lacking some efficiency as a shooter. He shot 51.5 percent from the field but 67.4 percent from the charity stripe, and he only made five 3s all season at a dismal 20.0 percent. Haralson carried an immense burden for the disappointing Irish, who failed to qualify for the ACC tournament.
Haralson was likely miscast as the Fighting Irish’s primary playmaker once Markus Burton went down with an injury, resulting in him posting more turnovers (74) than assists (69) for the season. He has strong passing vision, but Notre Dame lacked creation without Burton, and opponents found it easy to swarm Haralson. He excels at attacking mismatches from the mid-post, where he can use his height to pick out open shooters and cutters. He needs to add some semblance of a jumper and would be better served playing next to more talent.
Wing
Committed
Notre Dame
Tennessee
Ht: 6-5Wt: 175
Wilikins has a real case as the best mid-major freshman guard hitting the transfer portal. He has real size and was a dynamic scorer and ballhandler for an NCAA Tournament team this year at Furman. He is terrific in ball screens, using his pace and crafty handle to get paint touches while getting all the way to the rim. His jumper could use a little bit of work after making only 32.8 percent from 3 last year, as he has a bit of a low shooting pocket with a pause once he gets into that area.
Still, Wilkins is expected to be priced among the most expensive guards in the portal this spring due to his age and production. He played incredibly well during their run in the SoCon Tournament and their NCAA Tournament game against Final Four participant UConn where he dropped 21 points.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 175
Wilikins has a real case as the best mid-major freshman guard hitting the transfer portal. He has real size and was a dynamic scorer and ballhandler for an NCAA Tournament team this year at Furman. He is terrific in ball screens, using his pace and crafty handle to get paint touches while getting all the way to the rim. His jumper could use a little bit of work after making only 32.8 percent from 3 last year, as he has a bit of a low shooting pocket with a pause once he gets into that area.
Still, Wilkins is expected to be priced among the most expensive guards in the portal this spring due to his age and production. He played incredibly well during their run in the SoCon Tournament and their NCAA Tournament game against Final Four participant UConn where he dropped 21 points.
Guard
Committed
Furman
Kentucky
Ht: 6-5Wt: 200
Dixon has great feel and has real potential to be excellent working out of ball screens. He can make all of the reads and sees the floor well, helped by his size. He’s not a quick-burst guy but plays at his speed and gets to his spots. He shot 39.7 percent from 3 as a freshman. He averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 assists once he became a starter for the final 16 games. He wasn’t a great finisher around the basket — 28.1 percent at the rim on only 32 attempts — but that should improve some with time. It’s not easy to find a player with his combination of size, IQ and shooting.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 200
Dixon has great feel and has real potential to be excellent working out of ball screens. He can make all of the reads and sees the floor well, helped by his size. He’s not a quick-burst guy but plays at his speed and gets to his spots. He shot 39.7 percent from 3 as a freshman. He averaged 8.5 points and 3.5 assists once he became a starter for the final 16 games. He wasn’t a great finisher around the basket — 28.1 percent at the rim on only 32 attempts — but that should improve some with time. It’s not easy to find a player with his combination of size, IQ and shooting.
Guard
Committed
North Carolina
Arizona
Ht: 6-1Wt: 168
The most promising thing about Petty’s freshman season: his numbers were almost identical to Christian Anderson’s from the year before. From offensive rating (Anderson’s 122.6 to Petty’s 119.6) to 3-point shooting (38 to 37.5 percent) to assists (both 2.2 per game) to points (10.6 to 9.9). Anderson, of course, became an All-America level point guard as a sophomore. Petty will likely be changing systems, so we’ll see.
Petty is a fearless scorer. He has a slingshot jumper, but gets a lot of lift off the ground, and it goes in. (He’s listed at 6-1, but I’m skeptical.) I’m not sure he has the passing ability of Anderson, but it’s hard to say because his role was more off the ball. He can get buckets, with the speed and creativity that always gives him separation to shoot. It will be hard to duplicate Anderson’s sophomore production, but he’s definitely a breakout candidate who has the game to justify a big usage jump.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 168
The most promising thing about Petty’s freshman season: his numbers were almost identical to Christian Anderson’s from the year before. From offensive rating (Anderson’s 122.6 to Petty’s 119.6) to 3-point shooting (38 to 37.5 percent) to assists (both 2.2 per game) to points (10.6 to 9.9). Anderson, of course, became an All-America level point guard as a sophomore. Petty will likely be changing systems, so we’ll see.
Petty is a fearless scorer. He has a slingshot jumper, but gets a lot of lift off the ground, and it goes in. (He’s listed at 6-1, but I’m skeptical.) I’m not sure he has the passing ability of Anderson, but it’s hard to say because his role was more off the ball. He can get buckets, with the speed and creativity that always gives him separation to shoot. It will be hard to duplicate Anderson’s sophomore production, but he’s definitely a breakout candidate who has the game to justify a big usage jump.
Guard
Committed
Texas Tech
UCLA
Ht: 7-1Wt: 260
Reibe struggled in the NCAA Tournament and he wasn’t quite ready to match the physicality of the truly elite teams, but in a thin center market, there’s some value in a guy who is 7-foot-1 who can move and has touch. The ball comes off his left hand soft and he made 69 percent of his 2s in a low-usage role. Defensively, he moves well enough that Dan Hurley had him hedging or playing at the level of ball screens. He needs to get stronger in his lower body and be able to hold his spot on both ends of the floor, but he’s only a freshman. There was a lot to like about his production last summer in the under-19 World Cup when he helped lead Germany to a silver medal, averaging 15.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Reibe also averaged 1.6 assists per game, and he’s able to step away and work out of DHOs and pick-and-pops on the perimeter.
Ht: 7-1Wt: 260
Reibe struggled in the NCAA Tournament and he wasn’t quite ready to match the physicality of the truly elite teams, but in a thin center market, there’s some value in a guy who is 7-foot-1 who can move and has touch. The ball comes off his left hand soft and he made 69 percent of his 2s in a low-usage role. Defensively, he moves well enough that Dan Hurley had him hedging or playing at the level of ball screens. He needs to get stronger in his lower body and be able to hold his spot on both ends of the floor, but he’s only a freshman. There was a lot to like about his production last summer in the under-19 World Cup when he helped lead Germany to a silver medal, averaging 15.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Reibe also averaged 1.6 assists per game, and he’s able to step away and work out of DHOs and pick-and-pops on the perimeter.
Ht: 6-2Wt: 200
Enis took the American by storm after arriving from Division II Lincoln Memorial, racking up 107 made 3s at 35.2 percent while also providing some secondary playmaking in the backcourt. A lethal lefty, he has a lightning-quick release and is a weapon hunting his shot in transition. He displayed some solid passing chops, as well, though he definitely should play alongside a pure point guard.
Enis may end up following his coach, Bryan Hodgson, from Tampa to Providence. He is clearly a Big East-caliber shooter, and that will remain his headlining skill. He did benefit from South Florida’s outstanding overall talent, getting a ton of spot-up catch and shoot looks compared to scoring off screens. He also struggled to knock down jumpers off the bounce and finished poorly at the rim, an area of his game that could get even worse in a power conference.
Ht: 6-2Wt: 200
Enis took the American by storm after arriving from Division II Lincoln Memorial, racking up 107 made 3s at 35.2 percent while also providing some secondary playmaking in the backcourt. A lethal lefty, he has a lightning-quick release and is a weapon hunting his shot in transition. He displayed some solid passing chops, as well, though he definitely should play alongside a pure point guard.
Enis may end up following his coach, Bryan Hodgson, from Tampa to Providence. He is clearly a Big East-caliber shooter, and that will remain his headlining skill. He did benefit from South Florida’s outstanding overall talent, getting a ton of spot-up catch and shoot looks compared to scoring off screens. He also struggled to knock down jumpers off the bounce and finished poorly at the rim, an area of his game that could get even worse in a power conference.
Guard
Committed
South Florida
Creighton
Ht: 6-9Wt: 215
Dawes played one season at Rice and has spent the last two years on losing teams at Utah, but he’s a guy who could be a winning player on a good team. Utah was 17 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, per CBB Analytics, and he’s coming off his best season yet. He’s an elite defensive rebounder, ranking top 31 in defensive rebounding rate each of the last two seasons. He has some real playmaking chops at 6-9 and is a smart cutter and roller.
The part of his game that he needs the most work on is his jump shot. He made a career-high 32 3s this past year but only at a 31.7 percent clip. He is efficient inside the line, making 68.9 percent of his 2s the last two years at Utah and shooting a solid 73.9 percent at the free throw line. For a low-usage guy, he produces and usually makes the right play.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 215
Dawes played one season at Rice and has spent the last two years on losing teams at Utah, but he’s a guy who could be a winning player on a good team. Utah was 17 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor, per CBB Analytics, and he’s coming off his best season yet. He’s an elite defensive rebounder, ranking top 31 in defensive rebounding rate each of the last two seasons. He has some real playmaking chops at 6-9 and is a smart cutter and roller.
The part of his game that he needs the most work on is his jump shot. He made a career-high 32 3s this past year but only at a 31.7 percent clip. He is efficient inside the line, making 68.9 percent of his 2s the last two years at Utah and shooting a solid 73.9 percent at the free throw line. For a low-usage guy, he produces and usually makes the right play.
Forward
Committed
Utah
Kansas
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 215
One of the best 3-and-D wings in the country, Elmer was a huge reason for Miami’s success this past season as they went unbeaten in the regular season before their Round of 64 loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament. Elmer was among the most efficient low-usage wings you’ll find in the country. He drilled 49.8 percent of his field goal attempts, 42.9 percent of his 3s and 76 percent of his foul shots, and has now made at least 40 percent of his 3s in each of his three collegiate seasons.
On top of that, Elmer is a reliable, big-bodied defender at 215 pounds who slides his feet well enough to stay in front of his man and take on different matchups when required. Elmer is tough, efficient and reliable. He rebounds well and has even gotten some buzz from NBA scouts, who are interested in him because his game is so simplified. He’s projectable as a valuable player at any level of competition.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 215
One of the best 3-and-D wings in the country, Elmer was a huge reason for Miami’s success this past season as they went unbeaten in the regular season before their Round of 64 loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament. Elmer was among the most efficient low-usage wings you’ll find in the country. He drilled 49.8 percent of his field goal attempts, 42.9 percent of his 3s and 76 percent of his foul shots, and has now made at least 40 percent of his 3s in each of his three collegiate seasons.
On top of that, Elmer is a reliable, big-bodied defender at 215 pounds who slides his feet well enough to stay in front of his man and take on different matchups when required. Elmer is tough, efficient and reliable. He rebounds well and has even gotten some buzz from NBA scouts, who are interested in him because his game is so simplified. He’s projectable as a valuable player at any level of competition.
Wing
Committed
Miami (Ohio)
Wisconsin
Ht: 6-8Wt: 230
Gillespie was one of the best rebounders in college basketball, so of course he ends up at Houston. The Cougars get someone who understands the importance of defense and rebounding, plus they were missing a back-to-the-basket presence this season. Gillespie scores most of his points from the blocks. He is effective at carving out space posting up and creating angles to make the entries easy.
He gets to the line often with a 52.9 free throw rate and makes 78.9 percent of his free throws. He tried to shoot 3s this year but wasn’t very effective, making only 15 of 58 tries (25.9 percent). Defensively, he slides his feet well for a big man and can hold his ground. Philosophically, this should be an easy transition. Physically, he should have no problems moving up to the high-major level. He does struggle finishing over length and that could be an issue in the Big 12 more than it was in the MAC, although it’ll help that he’ll play most of his minutes at power forward for the Coogs, who return Joseph Tugler and also landed four-star Arafan Diane.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 230
Gillespie was one of the best rebounders in college basketball, so of course he ends up at Houston. The Cougars get someone who understands the importance of defense and rebounding, plus they were missing a back-to-the-basket presence this season. Gillespie scores most of his points from the blocks. He is effective at carving out space posting up and creating angles to make the entries easy.
He gets to the line often with a 52.9 free throw rate and makes 78.9 percent of his free throws. He tried to shoot 3s this year but wasn’t very effective, making only 15 of 58 tries (25.9 percent). Defensively, he slides his feet well for a big man and can hold his ground. Philosophically, this should be an easy transition. Physically, he should have no problems moving up to the high-major level. He does struggle finishing over length and that could be an issue in the Big 12 more than it was in the MAC, although it’ll help that he’ll play most of his minutes at power forward for the Coogs, who return Joseph Tugler and also landed four-star Arafan Diane.
Forward
Committed
Kent State
Houston
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 245
Fru was a terrific young player in Germany before coming stateside. He blocked 1.4 blocks in 22 minutes per night and was wildly efficient as a finisher. Fru shot 75.3 percent at the rim while on a heavy dose of rim runs out of ball screens. He’s a good screener who can slip to the rim and create real downhill force. His team in Germany, Braunschweig, did use him as a mismatch post threat. But even there, he was largely an efficient rim runner. Defensively, Fru can at least competently protect the rim even if it isn’t an outright strength of his game.
Fru needs to find an environment that plays in a ton of ball-screen actions and allows him to get downhill to the rim. The good news for him is that size is very difficult to find in the transfer portal, and he has it. He’ll get a large amount of money to be a starting center for someone at the power conference level next season, with a ceiling as being a borderline all-conference player if he can find the right fit.
Ht: 6-11 Wt: 245
Fru was a terrific young player in Germany before coming stateside. He blocked 1.4 blocks in 22 minutes per night and was wildly efficient as a finisher. Fru shot 75.3 percent at the rim while on a heavy dose of rim runs out of ball screens. He’s a good screener who can slip to the rim and create real downhill force. His team in Germany, Braunschweig, did use him as a mismatch post threat. But even there, he was largely an efficient rim runner. Defensively, Fru can at least competently protect the rim even if it isn’t an outright strength of his game.
Fru needs to find an environment that plays in a ton of ball-screen actions and allows him to get downhill to the rim. The good news for him is that size is very difficult to find in the transfer portal, and he has it. He’ll get a large amount of money to be a starting center for someone at the power conference level next season, with a ceiling as being a borderline all-conference player if he can find the right fit.
Center
Committed
Louisville
Marquette
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
Westry had an injury-riddled first two seasons, playing in only 14 game between Auburn and Syracuse. He finally got his opportunity this past year at UAB, and he thrived. He’s a unique player at 6-6 and is an elite passer. He understands angles and sees plays developing. He finished the season on an assist tear, with 36 dimes in his final three games. He plays at his pace and just seems to make the right play. His biggest weakness is his jumper (only 12 of 102 3s in his career). He scores most of his points in the paint. He’s not an explosive athlete but smooth. He does a good job in ball screens, putting defenders in jail and dissecting the defense. Defensively, he doesn’t play with much urgency, but his size makes him switchable.
In the right system, he could put up huge assist numbers. The shooting might scare off some teams, but he is probably the best passer in the portal.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 205
Westry had an injury-riddled first two seasons, playing in only 14 game between Auburn and Syracuse. He finally got his opportunity this past year at UAB, and he thrived. He’s a unique player at 6-6 and is an elite passer. He understands angles and sees plays developing. He finished the season on an assist tear, with 36 dimes in his final three games. He plays at his pace and just seems to make the right play. His biggest weakness is his jumper (only 12 of 102 3s in his career). He scores most of his points in the paint. He’s not an explosive athlete but smooth. He does a good job in ball screens, putting defenders in jail and dissecting the defense. Defensively, he doesn’t play with much urgency, but his size makes him switchable.
In the right system, he could put up huge assist numbers. The shooting might scare off some teams, but he is probably the best passer in the portal.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
Thomas is a quick, creative guard who lives in the paint and makes good decisions. Thomas dished out 6.5 assists versus 1.6 turnovers per game largely because he’s fast but patient after three years as a collegiate starter, capable of throwing dimes all over the place. As a scorer, he’s more comfortable from 15 feet and in, and gets to the foul line about five times per game.
Having said that, it is worth noting that all of his production came against poor teams this year. In the 117 minutes he played against Quad 1 and 2 teams, the Tigers were actually worse per 100 possessions when he was on the court versus when he was off of it. He also shot 4-for-9 from the field against SMU, 6-for-15 against Texas Tech, 1-for-8 against Florida and 7-for-20 against Arkansas. He did dish out 21 assists versus eight turnovers in those games, but I think coaches will want to see him be a bit more consistent as a scorer.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
Thomas is a quick, creative guard who lives in the paint and makes good decisions. Thomas dished out 6.5 assists versus 1.6 turnovers per game largely because he’s fast but patient after three years as a collegiate starter, capable of throwing dimes all over the place. As a scorer, he’s more comfortable from 15 feet and in, and gets to the foul line about five times per game.
Having said that, it is worth noting that all of his production came against poor teams this year. In the 117 minutes he played against Quad 1 and 2 teams, the Tigers were actually worse per 100 possessions when he was on the court versus when he was off of it. He also shot 4-for-9 from the field against SMU, 6-for-15 against Texas Tech, 1-for-8 against Florida and 7-for-20 against Arkansas. He did dish out 21 assists versus eight turnovers in those games, but I think coaches will want to see him be a bit more consistent as a scorer.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 218
Jones has excellent pedigree as a top-40 recruit. As a freshman, he showed his incredible physical tools while starting every game he played beginning on Dec. 19, becoming an indispensable part of the lineup for ex-Providence boss Kim English. Jones brings high levels of athleticism and aggression on the wing, getting downhill — either in transition or the half court. He has serious vertical pop, leading the Friars with 54 dunks. All of that makes him an intriguing defensive prospect as well, though he may have to break some bad habits after playing in the Friars’ debacle of a defense.
Jones’ defect is that his offensive game is limited by his lack of a jumper. He attempted just 40 field goals outside the paint compared to 153 at the rim and 43 non-rim paint 2s, per CBB Analytics. Opponents could sag off without any fear of retribution outside of the occasional well-timed cut. His release is slow and somewhat robotic, and his 39 percent shooting from 3 seems more like a small sample aberration than a true bellwether of his ability.
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 218
Jones has excellent pedigree as a top-40 recruit. As a freshman, he showed his incredible physical tools while starting every game he played beginning on Dec. 19, becoming an indispensable part of the lineup for ex-Providence boss Kim English. Jones brings high levels of athleticism and aggression on the wing, getting downhill — either in transition or the half court. He has serious vertical pop, leading the Friars with 54 dunks. All of that makes him an intriguing defensive prospect as well, though he may have to break some bad habits after playing in the Friars’ debacle of a defense.
Jones’ defect is that his offensive game is limited by his lack of a jumper. He attempted just 40 field goals outside the paint compared to 153 at the rim and 43 non-rim paint 2s, per CBB Analytics. Opponents could sag off without any fear of retribution outside of the occasional well-timed cut. His release is slow and somewhat robotic, and his 39 percent shooting from 3 seems more like a small sample aberration than a true bellwether of his ability.
Wing
Committed
Providence
Missouri
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 205
Lewis will find his third home after transferring to Georgetown last offseason from Arizona. He moved in search of an increased offensive role and he did find one with the Hoyas. However, his percentages remained paltry at 40.8 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from 3.
Lewis should just look to embrace his inner glue guy and find a role like he had at Arizona, where he could be a balls-to-the-wall defender with great hands and disruptive energy at the point of attack. He isn’t much of a primary creator, and, ultimately, he needs to improve as a shooter in order to star in that role off of the ball.
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 205
Lewis will find his third home after transferring to Georgetown last offseason from Arizona. He moved in search of an increased offensive role and he did find one with the Hoyas. However, his percentages remained paltry at 40.8 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from 3.
Lewis should just look to embrace his inner glue guy and find a role like he had at Arizona, where he could be a balls-to-the-wall defender with great hands and disruptive energy at the point of attack. He isn’t much of a primary creator, and, ultimately, he needs to improve as a shooter in order to star in that role off of the ball.
Guard
Committed
Georgetown
USC
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 202
The 22-year-old was a four-star in the 2022 class and originally committed to BYU. After his Mormon mission, he followed Mark Pope to Kentucky and has played there the last two seasons. He is one of the best shooters in the portal. He made 73 3s at a 41 percent clip this past season and bumped his percentage up to 45.7 percent during SEC play. He can shoot off movement and with range. He’s also an option to fill the lanes in transition and finish above the rim.
Defensively, he will fight through screens and battle, and he usually does a pretty good job of keeping the ball in front of him, but his on-off defensive numbers were the worst on Kentucky’s team. Chandler’s role at Kentucky was to shoot 3s. He did a bit more in high school and it’d be interesting to see if he could expand his game. It’s possible in the right system Chandler could average in the mid-teens in scoring. He’d benefit from playing alongside a good point guard and other scorers who would demand attention and create more spot-up opportunities for him. Kentucky didn’t have much shooting so opponents could lock in on trying to take away his looks.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 202
The 22-year-old was a four-star in the 2022 class and originally committed to BYU. After his Mormon mission, he followed Mark Pope to Kentucky and has played there the last two seasons. He is one of the best shooters in the portal. He made 73 3s at a 41 percent clip this past season and bumped his percentage up to 45.7 percent during SEC play. He can shoot off movement and with range. He’s also an option to fill the lanes in transition and finish above the rim.
Defensively, he will fight through screens and battle, and he usually does a pretty good job of keeping the ball in front of him, but his on-off defensive numbers were the worst on Kentucky’s team. Chandler’s role at Kentucky was to shoot 3s. He did a bit more in high school and it’d be interesting to see if he could expand his game. It’s possible in the right system Chandler could average in the mid-teens in scoring. He’d benefit from playing alongside a good point guard and other scorers who would demand attention and create more spot-up opportunities for him. Kentucky didn’t have much shooting so opponents could lock in on trying to take away his looks.
Guard
Committed
Kentucky
BYU
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 180
Diallo advanced from “inefficient athletic curiosity” to “legitimate alpha on-ball presence” as a sophomore, seeing both his usage and efficiency rise for the improved Huskies. He excelled as a pick-and-roll operator, scoring in the 88th percentile in points per possession on such action, per Synergy. He has great size for a point guard, and he excels at pinning his defender behind him as he patiently navigates into the paint.
Currently, his effectiveness is somewhat capped by his limited ability from beyond the arc, instead preferring to live in the midrange. Fortunately, he was fantastic there, shooting 51.3 percent on midrange 2s per CBB Analytics, showing a smooth and confident pull-up game. That and his 82.5 percent free-throw shooting hint at more upside as a shooter, though.
Defensively, he is a work in progress despite his height and length. He’s not an explosive vertical athlete (only three dunks and zero blocks the entire season), and he has not shown much disruption, either.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 180
Diallo advanced from “inefficient athletic curiosity” to “legitimate alpha on-ball presence” as a sophomore, seeing both his usage and efficiency rise for the improved Huskies. He excelled as a pick-and-roll operator, scoring in the 88th percentile in points per possession on such action, per Synergy. He has great size for a point guard, and he excels at pinning his defender behind him as he patiently navigates into the paint.
Currently, his effectiveness is somewhat capped by his limited ability from beyond the arc, instead preferring to live in the midrange. Fortunately, he was fantastic there, shooting 51.3 percent on midrange 2s per CBB Analytics, showing a smooth and confident pull-up game. That and his 82.5 percent free-throw shooting hint at more upside as a shooter, though.
Defensively, he is a work in progress despite his height and length. He’s not an explosive vertical athlete (only three dunks and zero blocks the entire season), and he has not shown much disruption, either.
Guard
Committed
Washington
Kentucky
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
A Detroit native with some real juice to his game, Blyden forced his way into the Toledo starting lineup in the Rockets’ third game and never gave up the slot. He is an excellent shooter (77 made 3s on 40.7 percent shooting), and he was particularly lethal on catch-and-shoot chances. He is also a terrific playmaker, ranking in the 82nd percentile in ball screen efficiency (including passes), per Synergy. He is a feisty defender who can rack up steals, and he was the best player on the court in a season-ending near-upset of powerhouse Akron in the MAC championship.
Blyden’s shortcomings are rather obvious. Despite his toughness, he is small and slight, which could make his transition up to higher-level competition challenging. He played just one power conference opponent in 2025-26, and Michigan State bottled him up to just 10 points and two assists on 4-of-10 shooting. He was also a target defensively at times despite quick hands. He finishes fairly well at the rim given his stature, but that could change against bigger, more athletic foes.
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 170
A Detroit native with some real juice to his game, Blyden forced his way into the Toledo starting lineup in the Rockets’ third game and never gave up the slot. He is an excellent shooter (77 made 3s on 40.7 percent shooting), and he was particularly lethal on catch-and-shoot chances. He is also a terrific playmaker, ranking in the 82nd percentile in ball screen efficiency (including passes), per Synergy. He is a feisty defender who can rack up steals, and he was the best player on the court in a season-ending near-upset of powerhouse Akron in the MAC championship.
Blyden’s shortcomings are rather obvious. Despite his toughness, he is small and slight, which could make his transition up to higher-level competition challenging. He played just one power conference opponent in 2025-26, and Michigan State bottled him up to just 10 points and two assists on 4-of-10 shooting. He was also a target defensively at times despite quick hands. He finishes fairly well at the rim given his stature, but that could change against bigger, more athletic foes.
Guard
Committed
Toledo
Kansas
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 230
The 2025 Horizon League Player of the Year is back in the portal after one season at Iowa, where he was a nice fit offensively but came off the bench because of his defense. Folgueiras plays the game with a lot of flair and is incredibly fun when he gets it going. He’s an elite passer for a big man who sometimes goes a little too far with his risk-taking. But his confidence is his super power. Down two in the final seconds against Florida? Folgueiras will make the 3 without any hesitation. He can be the hub of an offense. The key is just making sure he’s surrounded by the right guys to protect him on the defensive end. He’s great in pick-and-pop situations because he can make shots or make the extra pass. He’s streaky from the perimeter. He shot 28.6 percent as a freshman from 3, 41.3 percent as a sophomore and percentage dropped to 33.3 percent this year, really struggling in Big Ten play (23.2 percent).
Ht: 6-10 Wt: 230
The 2025 Horizon League Player of the Year is back in the portal after one season at Iowa, where he was a nice fit offensively but came off the bench because of his defense. Folgueiras plays the game with a lot of flair and is incredibly fun when he gets it going. He’s an elite passer for a big man who sometimes goes a little too far with his risk-taking. But his confidence is his super power. Down two in the final seconds against Florida? Folgueiras will make the 3 without any hesitation. He can be the hub of an offense. The key is just making sure he’s surrounded by the right guys to protect him on the defensive end. He’s great in pick-and-pop situations because he can make shots or make the extra pass. He’s streaky from the perimeter. He shot 28.6 percent as a freshman from 3, 41.3 percent as a sophomore and percentage dropped to 33.3 percent this year, really struggling in Big Ten play (23.2 percent).
Forward
Committed
Iowa
Louisville
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 175
Robinson was an extremely popular breakout pick ahead of his junior season. He was an analytics darling as a sophomore due to his elite steal rate and his astronomical free-throw rate. The breakout never fully materialized, though, and he could be a strong post-hype buy-low candidate as a result.
He’s a rangy lead guard with terrific change-of-pace ability with the ball in his hands, and he uses that well to consistently draw contact. His shooting stroke is smooth, though he can be streaky, and he’s not a high-volume threat from deep yet. He also had a strange case of the free-throw yips while at Missouri, especially late in games, which embodied his overall crisis of confidence during what was supposed to be a huge junior campaign. He remains wildly pesky as a defender, generating a bevy of deflections and steals, but he has also struggled with fouling issues throughout his career. Case in point: He fouled out of three of Missouri’s final four games this season.
He is from Tallahassee and has a strong relationship with former Missouri assistant CY Young, who is now on staff at Miami (Fla.). That said, he could be a useful two-way point guard at any power conference school looking for a high-upside reclamation project.
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 175
Robinson was an extremely popular breakout pick ahead of his junior season. He was an analytics darling as a sophomore due to his elite steal rate and his astronomical free-throw rate. The breakout never fully materialized, though, and he could be a strong post-hype buy-low candidate as a result.
He’s a rangy lead guard with terrific change-of-pace ability with the ball in his hands, and he uses that well to consistently draw contact. His shooting stroke is smooth, though he can be streaky, and he’s not a high-volume threat from deep yet. He also had a strange case of the free-throw yips while at Missouri, especially late in games, which embodied his overall crisis of confidence during what was supposed to be a huge junior campaign. He remains wildly pesky as a defender, generating a bevy of deflections and steals, but he has also struggled with fouling issues throughout his career. Case in point: He fouled out of three of Missouri’s final four games this season.
He is from Tallahassee and has a strong relationship with former Missouri assistant CY Young, who is now on staff at Miami (Fla.). That said, he could be a useful two-way point guard at any power conference school looking for a high-upside reclamation project.
Guard
Committed
Missouri
Florida State
Ht: 6-9Wt: 220
While some had NBA hopes for Evans coming off his freshman season at Oregon, he has never actualized his shooting potential that his free-throw percentages would indicate. Even though he’s made 77.6 percent of his free throws, he’s only been able to hit 28.4 percent of his 3s. This year, he took a nice leap forward on offense as a slasher and doubled his scoring from his first two seasons. He’s definitely limited as a passer, but he’s a long athlete who defends his position well and is active both in passing lanes and in rim rotations coming across the weak side. He’s also a good rebounder who can be trusted to play the 4 position and end possessions.
Given how difficult it is to find versatile 4s, I’d expect Evans to be a bit more expensive than his numbers would indicate. The Baltimore native will return to the East Coast at Villanova.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 220
While some had NBA hopes for Evans coming off his freshman season at Oregon, he has never actualized his shooting potential that his free-throw percentages would indicate. Even though he’s made 77.6 percent of his free throws, he’s only been able to hit 28.4 percent of his 3s. This year, he took a nice leap forward on offense as a slasher and doubled his scoring from his first two seasons. He’s definitely limited as a passer, but he’s a long athlete who defends his position well and is active both in passing lanes and in rim rotations coming across the weak side. He’s also a good rebounder who can be trusted to play the 4 position and end possessions.
Given how difficult it is to find versatile 4s, I’d expect Evans to be a bit more expensive than his numbers would indicate. The Baltimore native will return to the East Coast at Villanova.
Forward
Committed
Oregon
Villanova
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
There may not have been a more anonymous high-major all-conference player than Bizjack last season at Butler, but he was a third-team All-Big East selection following a terrific scoring campaign where shot 35 percent from 3 on over six attempts per game. His low release point is unique but he gets the ball out of his hands lightning quick. He’s also a tough driver who got to the line 5.2 times per game while converting at a strong 85 percent clip. He uses the threat of his shot incredibly well, attacking closeouts to get downhill when he gets his chances.
But beyond that, Bizjack is just an incredibly fun player to watch. With flowing long, curly hair flying in the wind while he attacks, finding creative angles to score from, Bizjack is sure to be a fan favorite wherever he ends up. You’d love to see him guard just a little bit better, but if you can put him next to a high-level, creative guard, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
There may not have been a more anonymous high-major all-conference player than Bizjack last season at Butler, but he was a third-team All-Big East selection following a terrific scoring campaign where shot 35 percent from 3 on over six attempts per game. His low release point is unique but he gets the ball out of his hands lightning quick. He’s also a tough driver who got to the line 5.2 times per game while converting at a strong 85 percent clip. He uses the threat of his shot incredibly well, attacking closeouts to get downhill when he gets his chances.
But beyond that, Bizjack is just an incredibly fun player to watch. With flowing long, curly hair flying in the wind while he attacks, finding creative angles to score from, Bizjack is sure to be a fan favorite wherever he ends up. You’d love to see him guard just a little bit better, but if you can put him next to a high-level, creative guard, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Guard
Committed
Butler
West Virginia
Ht: 7-2Wt: 270
The 22-year-old Turkish center is a mountain of a man. He’s an old-school post player, who does his best work sealing deep. He can score over either shoulder and knows how to use his big body to create easy passing angles for his teammates. He is heavy-footed and has to play in drop coverage in pick-and-roll. When he does get the ball down low, sometimes it takes him a tick to gather himself and go up.
He does have good hands and is an excellent offensive rebounder. He can also pass out of the post and plays to his strengths. He is a mostly efficient scorer, making 63 percent of his 2s, although he’s just a career 53.1 percent free-throw shooter. The top comparison at KenPom is Oumar Ballo and that’s a good one. He’ll be a double-digit scorer in most systems, provide some rim protection and offensive rebounding. It has to be the right fit defensively, but his combination of size and low-post scoring is intriguing.
Ht: 7-2Wt: 270
The 22-year-old Turkish center is a mountain of a man. He’s an old-school post player, who does his best work sealing deep. He can score over either shoulder and knows how to use his big body to create easy passing angles for his teammates. He is heavy-footed and has to play in drop coverage in pick-and-roll. When he does get the ball down low, sometimes it takes him a tick to gather himself and go up.
He does have good hands and is an excellent offensive rebounder. He can also pass out of the post and plays to his strengths. He is a mostly efficient scorer, making 63 percent of his 2s, although he’s just a career 53.1 percent free-throw shooter. The top comparison at KenPom is Oumar Ballo and that’s a good one. He’ll be a double-digit scorer in most systems, provide some rim protection and offensive rebounding. It has to be the right fit defensively, but his combination of size and low-post scoring is intriguing.
Center
Committed
SMU
Indiana
Ht: 7-0Wt: 190
Gwath had an injury-riddled sophomore campaign and was unfortunately unable to build on a freshman season that showed immense promise. He won the 2025 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award while blocking 2.6 shots per game and playing 25 minutes per night as a freshman. I don’t know that Gwath was quite as impactful defensively as all of that sounds as he’s not the best defensive rebounder at the center position and many of his blocks tend to come from weak-side rotations, but he is a real impediment on the interior. On top of that, Gwath is also one of the rare 7-footers who can knock down 3s, as he drilled 40.7 percent of his attempts in his two seasons of collegiate play. He represents an exceedingly rare archetype of player that is difficult to find and highly valued.
However, teams investing in Gwath will need to understand his health situation, as he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in April of 2025 and was not cleared to start the year. On top of that, he suffered a hip flexor injury that held him out for about a month midway through the year. He ended up only playing 19 minutes per game this past year. Having said that, I thought his two best games of the year were probably his final two games of the season in the Mountain West Tournament, and the further he got from the injuries, the better he played. Teams will just need to feel confident that he can get through the full season intact.
Ht: 7-0Wt: 190
Gwath had an injury-riddled sophomore campaign and was unfortunately unable to build on a freshman season that showed immense promise. He won the 2025 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award while blocking 2.6 shots per game and playing 25 minutes per night as a freshman. I don’t know that Gwath was quite as impactful defensively as all of that sounds as he’s not the best defensive rebounder at the center position and many of his blocks tend to come from weak-side rotations, but he is a real impediment on the interior. On top of that, Gwath is also one of the rare 7-footers who can knock down 3s, as he drilled 40.7 percent of his attempts in his two seasons of collegiate play. He represents an exceedingly rare archetype of player that is difficult to find and highly valued.
However, teams investing in Gwath will need to understand his health situation, as he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in April of 2025 and was not cleared to start the year. On top of that, he suffered a hip flexor injury that held him out for about a month midway through the year. He ended up only playing 19 minutes per game this past year. Having said that, I thought his two best games of the year were probably his final two games of the season in the Mountain West Tournament, and the further he got from the injuries, the better he played. Teams will just need to feel confident that he can get through the full season intact.
Forward
Committed
San Diego State
DePaul
Ht: 5-11Wt: 195
Johnson is built like a running back and has been one of the best thieves in college basketball, ranking 10th in steals rate the past two seasons. He was the Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year, and he’s headed to Iowa State, giving the Cyclones another bully at point guard on the defensive end following the graduation of Tamin Lipsey.
Offensively, Johnson is a bowling ball that gets rolling downhill, sometimes a little out of control. On the plus side, he gets to the free-throw line often; shooting 78.4 percent at the line and 38.3 from deep helped his efficiency. His size hurts him trying to finish at the rim once he gets there. He’s listed at 5-11, but that might be generous. But his physicality and speed helps make up for his height. Missouri Valley players usually have success transferring up — it’s consistently one of the best mid-major leagues — and he should be a good fit in Iowa State’s system.
Ht: 5-11Wt: 195
Johnson is built like a running back and has been one of the best thieves in college basketball, ranking 10th in steals rate the past two seasons. He was the Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year, and he’s headed to Iowa State, giving the Cyclones another bully at point guard on the defensive end following the graduation of Tamin Lipsey.
Offensively, Johnson is a bowling ball that gets rolling downhill, sometimes a little out of control. On the plus side, he gets to the free-throw line often; shooting 78.4 percent at the line and 38.3 from deep helped his efficiency. His size hurts him trying to finish at the rim once he gets there. He’s listed at 5-11, but that might be generous. But his physicality and speed helps make up for his height. Missouri Valley players usually have success transferring up — it’s consistently one of the best mid-major leagues — and he should be a good fit in Iowa State’s system.
Guard
Committed
Bradley
Iowa State
Ht: 6-3Wt: 170
Davis is one of the fastest guards in the country. The lefty can score at all three levels and shot an impressive 40 percent from 3 on 5.9 attempts per game and 38.1 percent from 3 off the bounce, per Synergy. He shot 39.5 percent from 3 in two years at Hofstra and 78.9 percent at the line, so the shot is well-proven. He worked a lot out of ball screens for Hofstra. He’s usually looking to score but can make the right pick-and-roll reads when it calls for him to pass. There are a lot of stops and starts when he has the ball. He keeps defenders on their heels because of his speed. He has the type of game, size and quickness that should level up.
He started his career for Rick Pitino at Iona and followed Pitino to St. John’s, where he took a medical redshirt as a sophomore after playing only four games. He’s spent the last two years at Hofstra and led the Pride to a NCAA Tournament berth this year, winning CAA Player of the Year.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 170
Davis is one of the fastest guards in the country. The lefty can score at all three levels and shot an impressive 40 percent from 3 on 5.9 attempts per game and 38.1 percent from 3 off the bounce, per Synergy. He shot 39.5 percent from 3 in two years at Hofstra and 78.9 percent at the line, so the shot is well-proven. He worked a lot out of ball screens for Hofstra. He’s usually looking to score but can make the right pick-and-roll reads when it calls for him to pass. There are a lot of stops and starts when he has the ball. He keeps defenders on their heels because of his speed. He has the type of game, size and quickness that should level up.
He started his career for Rick Pitino at Iona and followed Pitino to St. John’s, where he took a medical redshirt as a sophomore after playing only four games. He’s spent the last two years at Hofstra and led the Pride to a NCAA Tournament berth this year, winning CAA Player of the Year.
Guard
Committed
Hofstra
Texas Tech
Ht: 6-6Wt: 225
Watts was brought to Texas Tech to play the Darrion Williams role and wasn’t as effective as Williams had been. He’d shot 42.2 percent from 3 as a sophomore at Washington State on 64 attempts and he shot just 32.1 percent on 78 attempts at Texas Tech. He was at his best backing down smaller defenders and scoring himself, getting fouled or drawing two defenders and setting up a teammate. He’s been more turnover prone than preferable for a wing who has the ball in his hands a lot. He can play both the 3 and the 4, and he is a tricky cover in space. An offense like Texas Tech that tries to create and then pick on mismatches was best for his skillset.
Ht: 6-6Wt: 225
Watts was brought to Texas Tech to play the Darrion Williams role and wasn’t as effective as Williams had been. He’d shot 42.2 percent from 3 as a sophomore at Washington State on 64 attempts and he shot just 32.1 percent on 78 attempts at Texas Tech. He was at his best backing down smaller defenders and scoring himself, getting fouled or drawing two defenders and setting up a teammate. He’s been more turnover prone than preferable for a wing who has the ball in his hands a lot. He can play both the 3 and the 4, and he is a tricky cover in space. An offense like Texas Tech that tries to create and then pick on mismatches was best for his skillset.
Wing
Committed
Texas Tech
Washington
Ht: 6-1Wt: 185
Gibbs-Lawhorn thrived in his one year at UNLV as a high-usage scorer after two seasons coming off the bench at Illinois. He was solid as a sophomore at Illinois, averaging 5.9 points in 14.9 minutes per game, but he seems more comfortable in a high-usage role. Gibbs-Lawhorn is built to score, able to make shots at all three levels. The ball comes off his hand smoothly no matter where he’s shooting. Proof? He made 56.8 percent of his runners, per Synergy, 13th-best nationally among players who shot at least one per game. He also shot 60.4 percent at the rim, per Synergy, which is an impressive number for a player his size.
The number that really pops, of course, is his 3-point shooting. He shot 41.4 percent on 7.0 attempts per game. He’s more of a shooting guard than a point guard, so it’s ideal if he can find a destination with a bigger point guard to play alongside. But Gibbs-Lawhorn’s shot making should get him another chance at the high-major level.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 185
Gibbs-Lawhorn thrived in his one year at UNLV as a high-usage scorer after two seasons coming off the bench at Illinois. He was solid as a sophomore at Illinois, averaging 5.9 points in 14.9 minutes per game, but he seems more comfortable in a high-usage role. Gibbs-Lawhorn is built to score, able to make shots at all three levels. The ball comes off his hand smoothly no matter where he’s shooting. Proof? He made 56.8 percent of his runners, per Synergy, 13th-best nationally among players who shot at least one per game. He also shot 60.4 percent at the rim, per Synergy, which is an impressive number for a player his size.
The number that really pops, of course, is his 3-point shooting. He shot 41.4 percent on 7.0 attempts per game. He’s more of a shooting guard than a point guard, so it’s ideal if he can find a destination with a bigger point guard to play alongside. But Gibbs-Lawhorn’s shot making should get him another chance at the high-major level.
Guard
Committed
UNLV
Texas Tech
Ht: 6-9Wt: 250
Buljan is one of the most physically imposing bigs in the country. He is an elite rebounder and knows where to position himself for boards and can move bodies. He’s headed to Maryland to play for Buzz Williams, who really values rebounding. He ranked fifth nationally in offensive rebounding rate and 15th in defensive rebounding rate. He’ll be 24 in November and plays like a grown man. He handles the ball well for a big and is comfortable distributing from the perimeter and work out of dribble handoffs. He has a good understanding of space and angles and is an easy guy for guards to play with.
He’s not a great vertical athlete and sometimes that makes it hard for him to finish over length, but he does a good job playing to angles by the basket and using his strength to wedge himself into spots where he can score.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 250
Buljan is one of the most physically imposing bigs in the country. He is an elite rebounder and knows where to position himself for boards and can move bodies. He’s headed to Maryland to play for Buzz Williams, who really values rebounding. He ranked fifth nationally in offensive rebounding rate and 15th in defensive rebounding rate. He’ll be 24 in November and plays like a grown man. He handles the ball well for a big and is comfortable distributing from the perimeter and work out of dribble handoffs. He has a good understanding of space and angles and is an easy guy for guards to play with.
He’s not a great vertical athlete and sometimes that makes it hard for him to finish over length, but he does a good job playing to angles by the basket and using his strength to wedge himself into spots where he can score.
Forward
Committed
New Mexico
Maryland
Ht: 6-3Wt: 170
Lowe’s stock has probably never been lower after playing only nine games this past season because of a shoulder injury. Even if he had been healthy, it was a weird fit for a ball-dominant guard in a system that isn’t set up for that. Lowe’s sophomore season at Pitt, when he averaged 16.8 points and 5.5 assists per game, is more in line with what he’s capable of when healthy. Lowe doesn’t have blow-by speed but he is a slithery lefty, who likes to play in ball-screens. The issue with Lowe is his efficiency as a scorer. For his career, he’s made only 28.9 percent of his 3s and 42.7 percent of his 2s. He has shot 85.9 percent at the line and he’s crafty at drawing fouls. If Lowe can stay healthy, he’s capable of being an all-conference type performer if he can improve his shot.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 170
Lowe’s stock has probably never been lower after playing only nine games this past season because of a shoulder injury. Even if he had been healthy, it was a weird fit for a ball-dominant guard in a system that isn’t set up for that. Lowe’s sophomore season at Pitt, when he averaged 16.8 points and 5.5 assists per game, is more in line with what he’s capable of when healthy. Lowe doesn’t have blow-by speed but he is a slithery lefty, who likes to play in ball-screens. The issue with Lowe is his efficiency as a scorer. For his career, he’s made only 28.9 percent of his 3s and 42.7 percent of his 2s. He has shot 85.9 percent at the line and he’s crafty at drawing fouls. If Lowe can stay healthy, he’s capable of being an all-conference type performer if he can improve his shot.
Guard
Committed
Kentucky
Georgetown
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
Back into the portal after stops at two SEC schools (Alabama and Kentucky), Dioubate should be a highly sought-after piece. The pitch with Dioubate is based mostly on one end of the court: at 6-7, 220 pounds, with plenty of length and strength, he is one of the best and most versatile defenders in the country. He possesses fantastic instincts, and he generates both steals and blocks at high rates. He’s a force on the ball, as he can move well laterally while also walling off drives with his chest, and he is one of the rare players in the country who can truly defend all five positions.
Offensively, though, Dioubate is limited. He cannot shoot (just 19-of-65, 29.2 percent, from deep in 101 career games), he cannot really create for himself, and he is not an overly intuitive passer. Fortunately, he mostly knows his own limitations and stays within himself. He does use his tremendous physical tools and effort to be a force on the offensive glass, and he can be a killer as a cutter and finisher. Unsurprisingly, he is also excellent in transition. He would be best served as a defensive destroyer while not asked to do much on the offensive end, insulated by a great scheme and/or scoring talent around him.
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 220
Back into the portal after stops at two SEC schools (Alabama and Kentucky), Dioubate should be a highly sought-after piece. The pitch with Dioubate is based mostly on one end of the court: at 6-7, 220 pounds, with plenty of length and strength, he is one of the best and most versatile defenders in the country. He possesses fantastic instincts, and he generates both steals and blocks at high rates. He’s a force on the ball, as he can move well laterally while also walling off drives with his chest, and he is one of the rare players in the country who can truly defend all five positions.
Offensively, though, Dioubate is limited. He cannot shoot (just 19-of-65, 29.2 percent, from deep in 101 career games), he cannot really create for himself, and he is not an overly intuitive passer. Fortunately, he mostly knows his own limitations and stays within himself. He does use his tremendous physical tools and effort to be a force on the offensive glass, and he can be a killer as a cutter and finisher. Unsurprisingly, he is also excellent in transition. He would be best served as a defensive destroyer while not asked to do much on the offensive end, insulated by a great scheme and/or scoring talent around him.
Forward
Committed
Kentucky
LSU
Ht: 6-3Wt: 175
Brown played this past year at Utah after two seasons at Fairleigh Dickinson. He’s never played on a winning team before, but he is a bucket. Brown is one of the fastest players with the ball. He’s been a high-usage player the last two seasons. He struggles to finish, but is clever at drawing fouls. He’s also a really good mid-range shooter — 47.5 percent inside 17 feet, per Synergy — but he’s average from 3 (32.7 percent this season after two years in the 20s at FDU).
Brown added weight, going from 158 pounds at FDU to 175 at Utah, but he can get bodied. He would benefit from playing with bigger frontlines that would protect him. Can he be a lower-usage guy on a winning team? That’s the question. But in terms of straight bucket getters, he’s one of the best in the portal.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 175
Brown played this past year at Utah after two seasons at Fairleigh Dickinson. He’s never played on a winning team before, but he is a bucket. Brown is one of the fastest players with the ball. He’s been a high-usage player the last two seasons. He struggles to finish, but is clever at drawing fouls. He’s also a really good mid-range shooter — 47.5 percent inside 17 feet, per Synergy — but he’s average from 3 (32.7 percent this season after two years in the 20s at FDU).
Brown added weight, going from 158 pounds at FDU to 175 at Utah, but he can get bodied. He would benefit from playing with bigger frontlines that would protect him. Can he be a lower-usage guy on a winning team? That’s the question. But in terms of straight bucket getters, he’s one of the best in the portal.
Guard
Committed
Utah
North Carolina
Ht: 6-6Wt: 230
A two-year starter at Ohio State, Royal will hit the portal after back-to-back years of averaging 13.7 points as a power wing/forward hybrid at 6-6 who can play the undersized four role for just about any team in the country. A rugged, physical competitor, Royal is all about his ability to initiate and play through contact. He plays bigger than his listed size because of that willingness to play with power. He has some pretty fun moves that he’ll bust out regularly, spinning off of his bumps to try to create that little bit of extra separation to get loose from his man. He operates well in the mid-post, getting there off curls and screens or when facing up in the post. Then, he’ll also play well in the dunker spot, and can even play as a ballhandler on occasion if you need someone to act as a secondary ball-screen player.
Royal can be a bit too midrange-dependent because his hips aren’t all that fluid, and he doesn’t have a ton of explosive burst — meaning he doesn’t always get all the way to the rim against stronger opponents. But in the right scheme that has strong spacing around him, Royal can be useful.
He’s a good get for Villanova and has a chance to make an all-conference team as a senior, but more than likely will settle in as a good starter.
Ht: 6-6Wt: 230
A two-year starter at Ohio State, Royal will hit the portal after back-to-back years of averaging 13.7 points as a power wing/forward hybrid at 6-6 who can play the undersized four role for just about any team in the country. A rugged, physical competitor, Royal is all about his ability to initiate and play through contact. He plays bigger than his listed size because of that willingness to play with power. He has some pretty fun moves that he’ll bust out regularly, spinning off of his bumps to try to create that little bit of extra separation to get loose from his man. He operates well in the mid-post, getting there off curls and screens or when facing up in the post. Then, he’ll also play well in the dunker spot, and can even play as a ballhandler on occasion if you need someone to act as a secondary ball-screen player.
Royal can be a bit too midrange-dependent because his hips aren’t all that fluid, and he doesn’t have a ton of explosive burst — meaning he doesn’t always get all the way to the rim against stronger opponents. But in the right scheme that has strong spacing around him, Royal can be useful.
He’s a good get for Villanova and has a chance to make an all-conference team as a senior, but more than likely will settle in as a good starter.
Forward
Committed
Ohio State
Villanova
Ht: 6-9Wt: 215
Ndongo is one of the most athletic bigs in the portal, a true leaper who can finish around the basket and rebound at a high level. Almost everything comes around the rim for Ndongo, where he made about 64 percent of his attempts in half-court settings, per Synergy. He’s also a threat to run out on the break and get an easy bucket. You want to use him in ball screens and utilize his athleticism to beat opposing players to the rim or his quick jumping ability to crash the offensive glass, as he’s averaged nearly three offensive rebounds per game in his career.
Positionally, Ndongo is a bit caught between being a five who isn’t quite big or strong enough, or a four who isn’t quite skilled enough on offense. Even though he’s been a top-two scorer on the Yellow Jackets each of the last three seasons, the team was actually worse with him on the court this year. He can be an effective player, but you need to construct your roster around him intelligently.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 215
Ndongo is one of the most athletic bigs in the portal, a true leaper who can finish around the basket and rebound at a high level. Almost everything comes around the rim for Ndongo, where he made about 64 percent of his attempts in half-court settings, per Synergy. He’s also a threat to run out on the break and get an easy bucket. You want to use him in ball screens and utilize his athleticism to beat opposing players to the rim or his quick jumping ability to crash the offensive glass, as he’s averaged nearly three offensive rebounds per game in his career.
Positionally, Ndongo is a bit caught between being a five who isn’t quite big or strong enough, or a four who isn’t quite skilled enough on offense. Even though he’s been a top-two scorer on the Yellow Jackets each of the last three seasons, the team was actually worse with him on the court this year. He can be an effective player, but you need to construct your roster around him intelligently.
Forward
Committed
Georgia Tech
Pittsburgh
Ht: 6-4Wt: 195
Santa Clara’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996 came largely due to the Broncos’ terrific balance, but Hammond’s steady presence as an off-ball scoring threat and secondary playmaker was a crucial ingredient. The guard from Denver led the team in scoring, an impressive surge after playing a tiny role as a freshman in 2023-24 and then redshirting in 2024-25.
He has a quick release and can hit from deep, but he truly excels at navigating his way into the paint, where he ranked in the 96th percentile in paint 2-pointer frequency per CBB Analytics, and he has one of the best floaters in the sport. He’s especially adept in ball screens, though again, he is not a primary lead guard.
He is tough defensively and not too thin, so he should be able to sustain the jump up to NC State in a complementary role on offense. He struggled in the Broncos’ first-round loss to Kentucky, but his numbers against top competition were generally solid, and he torched Gonzaga for 24 points in the WCC tournament championship.
Ht: 6-4Wt: 195
Santa Clara’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996 came largely due to the Broncos’ terrific balance, but Hammond’s steady presence as an off-ball scoring threat and secondary playmaker was a crucial ingredient. The guard from Denver led the team in scoring, an impressive surge after playing a tiny role as a freshman in 2023-24 and then redshirting in 2024-25.
He has a quick release and can hit from deep, but he truly excels at navigating his way into the paint, where he ranked in the 96th percentile in paint 2-pointer frequency per CBB Analytics, and he has one of the best floaters in the sport. He’s especially adept in ball screens, though again, he is not a primary lead guard.
He is tough defensively and not too thin, so he should be able to sustain the jump up to NC State in a complementary role on offense. He struggled in the Broncos’ first-round loss to Kentucky, but his numbers against top competition were generally solid, and he torched Gonzaga for 24 points in the WCC tournament championship.
Guard
Committed
Santa Clara
NC State
Ht: 6-3Wt: 180
Lewis was a first-team All-WCC player this past season. A former four-star recruit, Lewis is a scoring guard who can really fill it up from distance. He’s more of a combo guard as opposed to a true lead guard, and the Gaels were better off this season when he had Joshua Dent next to him on the court. Dent was the guy among the two of them who tended to drive winning the most. Lewis needs to get better as a driver and finisher on the interior, and his defensive consistency needs to continue to improve. Still, he’s a reliable guard with size and strength who can knock down shots while playing both backcourt positions, and those guys aren’t in massive quantity.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 180
Lewis was a first-team All-WCC player this past season. A former four-star recruit, Lewis is a scoring guard who can really fill it up from distance. He’s more of a combo guard as opposed to a true lead guard, and the Gaels were better off this season when he had Joshua Dent next to him on the court. Dent was the guy among the two of them who tended to drive winning the most. Lewis needs to get better as a driver and finisher on the interior, and his defensive consistency needs to continue to improve. Still, he’s a reliable guard with size and strength who can knock down shots while playing both backcourt positions, and those guys aren’t in massive quantity.
Guard
Committed
Saint Mary’s
Texas
Ht: 6-8Wt: 200
A highly skilled wing who flourished in Mike DeGeorge’s dazzling offensive scheme at Cal Poly, Mousa showed off why he was an intriguing prospect out of the NBA’s Global Academy Australia. The first Division-I player from Qatar, Mousa is an outstanding shot maker, and not just for someone with his size. If opponents try to take away his lethal jumper, he is adept at attacking closeouts to get in the paint or draw contact at the rim. He took over 200 free throws this season, using the threat of his jumper and his length to get to the stripe. Mousa also excelled as a pick-and-roll operator (90th percentile in efficiency, per Synergy), a highly impressive number at his stature.
The defense is another story. Mousa is thin and lacks great positional awareness. Plus, he’s more “smooth” than “explosive” as an athlete and struggles to handle powerful or quick opponents. He can start the transition game with his defensive rebounding, but he was a net negative defensively in the Big West. Moving up a level would make him an easy target. He might also lack the burst to get all the way to the rim against better athletes/defenders.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 200
A highly skilled wing who flourished in Mike DeGeorge’s dazzling offensive scheme at Cal Poly, Mousa showed off why he was an intriguing prospect out of the NBA’s Global Academy Australia. The first Division-I player from Qatar, Mousa is an outstanding shot maker, and not just for someone with his size. If opponents try to take away his lethal jumper, he is adept at attacking closeouts to get in the paint or draw contact at the rim. He took over 200 free throws this season, using the threat of his jumper and his length to get to the stripe. Mousa also excelled as a pick-and-roll operator (90th percentile in efficiency, per Synergy), a highly impressive number at his stature.
The defense is another story. Mousa is thin and lacks great positional awareness. Plus, he’s more “smooth” than “explosive” as an athlete and struggles to handle powerful or quick opponents. He can start the transition game with his defensive rebounding, but he was a net negative defensively in the Big West. Moving up a level would make him an easy target. He might also lack the burst to get all the way to the rim against better athletes/defenders.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 190
Decker was one of the best shooters in college basketball, so respected that he’d often receive face-guarding treatment. He’s elite both on the catch and off the bounce and is continually moving looking for shots. Liberty ran him off a ton of screening actions, gets and dribble-handoffs to get him shots and he shot it well no matter the situation, making 47.1 percent of his 3s on 7.1 attempts per game. Decker also knew how to use his shooting gravity to generate easy drives to the basket and is solid finishing in the paint.
Decker is headed to Baylor, where Scott Drew will likely run a lot of sets to try to get him shots, similar to how he used Brady Heslip in the mid-2010s. Heslip made 118 3s in his senior season; Decker made 114 this year.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 190
Decker was one of the best shooters in college basketball, so respected that he’d often receive face-guarding treatment. He’s elite both on the catch and off the bounce and is continually moving looking for shots. Liberty ran him off a ton of screening actions, gets and dribble-handoffs to get him shots and he shot it well no matter the situation, making 47.1 percent of his 3s on 7.1 attempts per game. Decker also knew how to use his shooting gravity to generate easy drives to the basket and is solid finishing in the paint.
Decker is headed to Baylor, where Scott Drew will likely run a lot of sets to try to get him shots, similar to how he used Brady Heslip in the mid-2010s. Heslip made 118 3s in his senior season; Decker made 114 this year.
Guard
Committed
Liberty
Baylor
Ht: 6-6Wt: 180
Riley is a complicated evaluation but a good player with some serious upside. A young sophomore, Riley was an All-WCC player who excelled as an off-ball wing. He’s a dynamic slasher who can find his way to the rim and finish at a 61 percent clip, a strong number, per Synergy. Then, he’s also a sharp cutter off the ball, and he actually made over 40 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s this season. That’s an attractive skillset for a player who won’t need the ball in his hands as much to make an impact.
Having said that, Riley is not a particularly good passer, and his defense can be a bit up and down. San Francisco’s basketball IQ this year wasn’t always on point, and he didn’t particularly add to the equation. He looks like a solid starting wing at the high-major level — and he’ll get a chance to be that with Oregon.
Ht: 6-6Wt: 180
Riley is a complicated evaluation but a good player with some serious upside. A young sophomore, Riley was an All-WCC player who excelled as an off-ball wing. He’s a dynamic slasher who can find his way to the rim and finish at a 61 percent clip, a strong number, per Synergy. Then, he’s also a sharp cutter off the ball, and he actually made over 40 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s this season. That’s an attractive skillset for a player who won’t need the ball in his hands as much to make an impact.
Having said that, Riley is not a particularly good passer, and his defense can be a bit up and down. San Francisco’s basketball IQ this year wasn’t always on point, and he didn’t particularly add to the equation. He looks like a solid starting wing at the high-major level — and he’ll get a chance to be that with Oregon.
Wing
Committed
San Francisco
Oregon
Ht: 6-8Wt: 185
Freeman started his career at Division II Lincoln Memorial and was on the radar of NBA scouts as a freshman. He transferred up last offseason to Auburn and showed flashes of why Bruce Pearl said he believed he was a future NBA wing. Steven Pearl said this year that Freeman “can be one of the best defenders in college basketball when he applies himself.”
Freeman has the positional size and athleticism of an NBA wing. The way he moves and the ease at which he gets to the basket is different. He still needs to refinine his jump shot and his finishing around the rim. He shot 34.3 percent from 3 on 102 attempts. He made only 42 percent of his layups, per Synergy. He did get to the line often for a low-usage player, attempting nearly three free throws per game and shooting 69.9 percent at the line.
It’s easy to dream what he could become. Ideally, he’ll turn into an efficient 3-and-D wing who would fit in any system. At the very least, he’s a plus defender and will get buckets in transition, by cutting, through the occasional spot-up jumper and by attacking closeouts.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 185
Freeman started his career at Division II Lincoln Memorial and was on the radar of NBA scouts as a freshman. He transferred up last offseason to Auburn and showed flashes of why Bruce Pearl said he believed he was a future NBA wing. Steven Pearl said this year that Freeman “can be one of the best defenders in college basketball when he applies himself.”
Freeman has the positional size and athleticism of an NBA wing. The way he moves and the ease at which he gets to the basket is different. He still needs to refinine his jump shot and his finishing around the rim. He shot 34.3 percent from 3 on 102 attempts. He made only 42 percent of his layups, per Synergy. He did get to the line often for a low-usage player, attempting nearly three free throws per game and shooting 69.9 percent at the line.
It’s easy to dream what he could become. Ideally, he’ll turn into an efficient 3-and-D wing who would fit in any system. At the very least, he’s a plus defender and will get buckets in transition, by cutting, through the occasional spot-up jumper and by attacking closeouts.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 230
Tyler Lundblade was the primary perimeter weapon for Belmont’s MVC regular-season title team, but Scharnowski was the high-usage interior force that fueled the Bruins’ No. 4-ranked 2-point percentage offense. He is an incredibly productive per-minute player as both a scorer and rebounder, and he knows how to use his body to create finishing angles around the rim. He was effective as both a post-up option and a roll man in ball screens, and he has elite touch in the paint. Per CBB Analytics, he shot 58.4 percent on non-rim paint 2s, putting him in the 91st percentile nationally. Add in excellent passing for a big man, and the appeal as a short roller or occasion post up hub is clear.
Defensively, he posted an impressive block rate, and Belmont’s defense was 3.5 points better in conference play when he was on the court. That helped him earn all-defense honors in the MVC. However, he probably cannot anchor a power-conference defense as a center, and he is a total non-shooter offensively, so he has some limitations as a 4-man, as well. He has made just one 3 in two seasons, and he is a career 46.8 percent free throw shooter (particularly troubling considering how frequently he gets there). Duke will need to use his mobility on offense to max effect.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 230
Tyler Lundblade was the primary perimeter weapon for Belmont’s MVC regular-season title team, but Scharnowski was the high-usage interior force that fueled the Bruins’ No. 4-ranked 2-point percentage offense. He is an incredibly productive per-minute player as both a scorer and rebounder, and he knows how to use his body to create finishing angles around the rim. He was effective as both a post-up option and a roll man in ball screens, and he has elite touch in the paint. Per CBB Analytics, he shot 58.4 percent on non-rim paint 2s, putting him in the 91st percentile nationally. Add in excellent passing for a big man, and the appeal as a short roller or occasion post up hub is clear.
Defensively, he posted an impressive block rate, and Belmont’s defense was 3.5 points better in conference play when he was on the court. That helped him earn all-defense honors in the MVC. However, he probably cannot anchor a power-conference defense as a center, and he is a total non-shooter offensively, so he has some limitations as a 4-man, as well. He has made just one 3 in two seasons, and he is a career 46.8 percent free throw shooter (particularly troubling considering how frequently he gets there). Duke will need to use his mobility on offense to max effect.
Forward
Committed
Belmont
Duke
Ht: 6-8Wt: 225
Dowd is intriguing because of his skill, size and athleticism. He might be the best rebounding wing in the portal. Ideally, he’d be more reliable as a 3-point shooter — he shot 33.3 percent on 5.7 attempts per game — but the stroke looks good. He has a good feel for getting himself opportunities around the basket. He’s a smart cutter and effective slasher. He’s also an effective offensive rebounder. He handles the ball and passes really well for a guy his size. He’s a natural wing but can play a small-ball 4, which is where he spent a majority of his minutes with Troy.
At Auburn, he’ll likely play more at the 3. Dowd struggled in Troy’s NCAA Tournament loss to Nebraska, scoring only 4 points on 1-of-11 shooting. His shot was off and his confidence was clearly shaken. He also struggled in last year’s tourney, going scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting against Kentucky. (He did have 20 rebounds in those two games.) There is at least a small sample size of him succeeding against a high-major; he went for 19 points and 12 boards in a triple-overtime loss at USC in November.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 225
Dowd is intriguing because of his skill, size and athleticism. He might be the best rebounding wing in the portal. Ideally, he’d be more reliable as a 3-point shooter — he shot 33.3 percent on 5.7 attempts per game — but the stroke looks good. He has a good feel for getting himself opportunities around the basket. He’s a smart cutter and effective slasher. He’s also an effective offensive rebounder. He handles the ball and passes really well for a guy his size. He’s a natural wing but can play a small-ball 4, which is where he spent a majority of his minutes with Troy.
At Auburn, he’ll likely play more at the 3. Dowd struggled in Troy’s NCAA Tournament loss to Nebraska, scoring only 4 points on 1-of-11 shooting. His shot was off and his confidence was clearly shaken. He also struggled in last year’s tourney, going scoreless on 0-of-7 shooting against Kentucky. (He did have 20 rebounds in those two games.) There is at least a small sample size of him succeeding against a high-major; he went for 19 points and 12 boards in a triple-overtime loss at USC in November.
Ht: 6-11Wt: 240
Tiller has all of the tools to be an all-conference player; he’s just lacking the confidence and motor. When he plays with confidence, he can score from all three levels. He had a solid freshman year but often left you wanting more and occasionally ended up in Bill Self’s doghouse. For instance, he got benched in the second half of KU’s loss in the Big 12 tournament to Houston. Self was always battling him to play with more physicality.
When he was on, he produced against big-time opponents, including 21 points and seven rebounds against BYU and 18 points and eight rebounds in an upset win over Arizona. He shot just 26.9 percent from 3, but the stroke looks good. He has a nice back-to-the-basket game, but that’s where he needs to be more physical and get to his spots. Defensively, he also has the tools and length, but needs to mature. It felt like he was a year away from being a really good player at Kansas. He started the year coming off the bench but his talent (and injuries to Darryn Peterson) quickly earned him a spot in the starting lineup.
Ht: 6-11Wt: 240
Tiller has all of the tools to be an all-conference player; he’s just lacking the confidence and motor. When he plays with confidence, he can score from all three levels. He had a solid freshman year but often left you wanting more and occasionally ended up in Bill Self’s doghouse. For instance, he got benched in the second half of KU’s loss in the Big 12 tournament to Houston. Self was always battling him to play with more physicality.
When he was on, he produced against big-time opponents, including 21 points and seven rebounds against BYU and 18 points and eight rebounds in an upset win over Arizona. He shot just 26.9 percent from 3, but the stroke looks good. He has a nice back-to-the-basket game, but that’s where he needs to be more physical and get to his spots. Defensively, he also has the tools and length, but needs to mature. It felt like he was a year away from being a really good player at Kansas. He started the year coming off the bench but his talent (and injuries to Darryn Peterson) quickly earned him a spot in the starting lineup.
Forward
Committed
Kansas
Missouri
Ht: 6-4Wt: 185
A ballyhooed recruit out of high school, Brumbaugh redshirted at Texas in 2022-23 and then struggled through a season at Georgetown. He finally blossomed during a two-season stint at Tulane, realizing his potential as an on-ball maestro in Ron Hunter’s ball screen-heavy attack. He can score off the bounce at all three levels, and his craft around the basket allows him to rack up easy points at the charity stripe.
He tilted more towards scoring than facilitating as a junior, but his sophomore season brought his playmaking ability to the forefront (4.8 assists per game, top-150 assist rate nationally). He was not overly effective as a ball screen scorer this past season, but he bolstered his efficiency with his terrific numbers in dribble handoffs and in transition. Defense will be a concern as he moves back up a level at SMU, but he’s a capable scorer and distributor at the power-conference level.
Ht: 6-4Wt: 185
A ballyhooed recruit out of high school, Brumbaugh redshirted at Texas in 2022-23 and then struggled through a season at Georgetown. He finally blossomed during a two-season stint at Tulane, realizing his potential as an on-ball maestro in Ron Hunter’s ball screen-heavy attack. He can score off the bounce at all three levels, and his craft around the basket allows him to rack up easy points at the charity stripe.
He tilted more towards scoring than facilitating as a junior, but his sophomore season brought his playmaking ability to the forefront (4.8 assists per game, top-150 assist rate nationally). He was not overly effective as a ball screen scorer this past season, but he bolstered his efficiency with his terrific numbers in dribble handoffs and in transition. Defense will be a concern as he moves back up a level at SMU, but he’s a capable scorer and distributor at the power-conference level.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 185
Wilkinson is a high-usage scorer who is going to shoot when he sees daylight. He’s had a 30 percent-plus shot rate in both his college seasons at Cal and Georgia. He thrived in Georgia’s up-tempo system, making 79 3s at a 35.7 percent clip. He’s got some wiggle and gets to the paint frequently, but forces some tough shots around the basket. He made just 50 percent of his shots at the rim, per Synergy. Not only is he undersized on defense, but he gets beat off the bounce too often. Georgia was 9.6 points per 100 possessions better defensively when he went to bench, per CBB Analytics.
Wilkinson is the size of a point guard but needs to be playing shooting guard. Georgia was small in the backcourt and that limited how good its defense could be. The Bulldogs went from ranking 32nd in adjusted defense last year to 89th this year. But if you’re looking for a bucket getter, Wilkinson is capable and plays with a ton of confidence.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 185
Wilkinson is a high-usage scorer who is going to shoot when he sees daylight. He’s had a 30 percent-plus shot rate in both his college seasons at Cal and Georgia. He thrived in Georgia’s up-tempo system, making 79 3s at a 35.7 percent clip. He’s got some wiggle and gets to the paint frequently, but forces some tough shots around the basket. He made just 50 percent of his shots at the rim, per Synergy. Not only is he undersized on defense, but he gets beat off the bounce too often. Georgia was 9.6 points per 100 possessions better defensively when he went to bench, per CBB Analytics.
Wilkinson is the size of a point guard but needs to be playing shooting guard. Georgia was small in the backcourt and that limited how good its defense could be. The Bulldogs went from ranking 32nd in adjusted defense last year to 89th this year. But if you’re looking for a bucket getter, Wilkinson is capable and plays with a ton of confidence.
Guard
Committed
Georgia
Arkansas
Ht: 6-2Wt: 190
Ames is headed to his fourth school in four years — from K-State to Virginia to Cal and now Tennessee. He averaged double figures for the first time this past season, making third-team All-ACC in a high-usage role for the Bears.
Ames is one of the better off-the-dribble shooters in the portal and the lefty has a lot of shimmy off the bounce. He shot 38.1 percent from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game, and that’s an impressive number considering 60 of those attempts were off the bounce, per Synergy. Cal also had him on the move constantly, trying to generate scoring opportunities. Ames has been a combo guard throughout his career but is ideally suited to be more of a scoring guard than a creator. It’ll be interesting to see if the Vols try to play Ames at point guard, which is where he slots as the roster is currently constructed.
Ht: 6-2Wt: 190
Ames is headed to his fourth school in four years — from K-State to Virginia to Cal and now Tennessee. He averaged double figures for the first time this past season, making third-team All-ACC in a high-usage role for the Bears.
Ames is one of the better off-the-dribble shooters in the portal and the lefty has a lot of shimmy off the bounce. He shot 38.1 percent from 3 on 4.4 attempts per game, and that’s an impressive number considering 60 of those attempts were off the bounce, per Synergy. Cal also had him on the move constantly, trying to generate scoring opportunities. Ames has been a combo guard throughout his career but is ideally suited to be more of a scoring guard than a creator. It’ll be interesting to see if the Vols try to play Ames at point guard, which is where he slots as the roster is currently constructed.
Guard
Committed
Cal
Tennessee
Ht: 5-10Wt: 165
Clark is The Flash with the ball in his hands, jetting to wherever he wants to be on the court. Seton Hall completely collapsed on both ends this year when he sat: Per CBB Analytics, the Pirates were 17.9 points better per 100 with him on the floor, a differential that ranked in the 94th percentile nationally. Part of that impact is defensively, where he has ranked in the top 51 nationally in steal rate in three straight seasons. He knows how to weaponize his quickness while staying in front of his man.
He is not a three-point shooter whatsoever, but he is an assassin in the midrange, where over 45 percent of his field goal attempts came from (99th percentile in frequency). He has the elbow fadeaway jumper down to a science. He has yet to play with any semblance of offensive talent around him (two years at Merrimack before heading to Seton Hall), but he has still managed to post a top-50 assist rate nationally the past two seasons. Put him in a pick-and-roll offense with real scoring threats around him, and he could emerge into a Braden Smith Lite as an on-ball maestro.
Ht: 5-10Wt: 165
Clark is The Flash with the ball in his hands, jetting to wherever he wants to be on the court. Seton Hall completely collapsed on both ends this year when he sat: Per CBB Analytics, the Pirates were 17.9 points better per 100 with him on the floor, a differential that ranked in the 94th percentile nationally. Part of that impact is defensively, where he has ranked in the top 51 nationally in steal rate in three straight seasons. He knows how to weaponize his quickness while staying in front of his man.
He is not a three-point shooter whatsoever, but he is an assassin in the midrange, where over 45 percent of his field goal attempts came from (99th percentile in frequency). He has the elbow fadeaway jumper down to a science. He has yet to play with any semblance of offensive talent around him (two years at Merrimack before heading to Seton Hall), but he has still managed to post a top-50 assist rate nationally the past two seasons. Put him in a pick-and-roll offense with real scoring threats around him, and he could emerge into a Braden Smith Lite as an on-ball maestro.
Guard
Committed
Seton Hall
Ole Miss
Ht: 6-6Wt: 220
Seen as a potential one-and-done player entering the season, Harwell had a rough year as he was still getting back to full strength following a knee injury in high school that forced him to miss time. In high school, he looked like a future NBA 3-and-D wing who could do more than that with the ball. He struggled with his shot at Houston, making just 28 percent from field and 27 percent from 3, with two-thirds of his shots coming from 3. He showed some ability to be an effective defender, but he lost his rotation spot by the end of the year and was not valuable for a Houston team that could have used him.
The bet on Harwell is that getting him into a new situation and another year removed from his injury will give him a new lease on basketball life. But obviously, it’s a bit more of a gamble given that he did not look like a high-major player this year.
Ht: 6-6Wt: 220
Seen as a potential one-and-done player entering the season, Harwell had a rough year as he was still getting back to full strength following a knee injury in high school that forced him to miss time. In high school, he looked like a future NBA 3-and-D wing who could do more than that with the ball. He struggled with his shot at Houston, making just 28 percent from field and 27 percent from 3, with two-thirds of his shots coming from 3. He showed some ability to be an effective defender, but he lost his rotation spot by the end of the year and was not valuable for a Houston team that could have used him.
The bet on Harwell is that getting him into a new situation and another year removed from his injury will give him a new lease on basketball life. But obviously, it’s a bit more of a gamble given that he did not look like a high-major player this year.
Wing
Committed
Houston
Gonzaga
Ht: 6-5Wt: 200
Minessale is built more like a wing, but he played point guard for St. Thomas, a top-two team in the Summit League this year. That combination of size and ball skills makes him an obvious up-transfer candidate, though his bricky jumper complicates the translation. St. Thomas did not play a single power-conference opponent this year, but he was excellent in two games against Saint Mary’s and Washington State (22 points, four assists, four rebounds per game).
Even with a work-in-progress jumper, Minessale can be an impactful presence at a higher level at Marquette. He is an excellent downhill scorer, living at the rim (92nd percentile rim rate per CBB Analytics) and the free-throw line. He also has one of the best runners in the sport and competes well defensively. Whether all that works against bigger and better athletes than the Summit is debatable, but the Brookfield, Wis., native can follow in Andrew Rohde’s footsteps as a St. Thomas transfer who made a positive impact in a power conference.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 200
Minessale is built more like a wing, but he played point guard for St. Thomas, a top-two team in the Summit League this year. That combination of size and ball skills makes him an obvious up-transfer candidate, though his bricky jumper complicates the translation. St. Thomas did not play a single power-conference opponent this year, but he was excellent in two games against Saint Mary’s and Washington State (22 points, four assists, four rebounds per game).
Even with a work-in-progress jumper, Minessale can be an impactful presence at a higher level at Marquette. He is an excellent downhill scorer, living at the rim (92nd percentile rim rate per CBB Analytics) and the free-throw line. He also has one of the best runners in the sport and competes well defensively. Whether all that works against bigger and better athletes than the Summit is debatable, but the Brookfield, Wis., native can follow in Andrew Rohde’s footsteps as a St. Thomas transfer who made a positive impact in a power conference.
Guard
Committed
St. Thomas
Marquette
Ht: 6-5Wt: 185
Doty put himself on the map with 21 points in a close loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament, and the sophomore is following his coach to Syracuse. He has the type of game that should level up.
He can score from all three levels. He shot only 32.6 percent from 3 but the stroke looks better than that percentage. He had to take some tough ones and one reason to believe his 3-point shooting will get better is he shot 85.8 percent from the free throw line on 5.2 attempts per game. His slashing ability pops on film, in particular his ability to spin off defenders and get on balance quickly. He has good size for a shooting guard. Doty was very consistent scoring the ball throughout the year, finishing in double figures in Siena’s final 24 games.
Ht: 6-5Wt: 185
Doty put himself on the map with 21 points in a close loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament, and the sophomore is following his coach to Syracuse. He has the type of game that should level up.
He can score from all three levels. He shot only 32.6 percent from 3 but the stroke looks better than that percentage. He had to take some tough ones and one reason to believe his 3-point shooting will get better is he shot 85.8 percent from the free throw line on 5.2 attempts per game. His slashing ability pops on film, in particular his ability to spin off defenders and get on balance quickly. He has good size for a shooting guard. Doty was very consistent scoring the ball throughout the year, finishing in double figures in Siena’s final 24 games.
Guard
Committed
Siena
Syracuse
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Foxwell earned first-team All-WCC honors this year as a freshman due to how dynamic he is with the ball in the open court and in ball-screens. The Australian guard orchestrated Portland’s up-tempo offense under Shantay Legans. His speed and ability to blow by defenders were critical, and allowed him to buzz in and out of the paint. His best game came against Gonzaga, where he dominated the Bulldogs to the tune of 27 points and eight assists while leading the Pilots to an upset win.
Much like his brother Owen, who will come over and join Wisconsin this year from the Australian NBL, Joel is also an aggressive point of attack defender. He’s a potential three-year starter for Arizona State and first-year coach Randy Bennett.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Foxwell earned first-team All-WCC honors this year as a freshman due to how dynamic he is with the ball in the open court and in ball-screens. The Australian guard orchestrated Portland’s up-tempo offense under Shantay Legans. His speed and ability to blow by defenders were critical, and allowed him to buzz in and out of the paint. His best game came against Gonzaga, where he dominated the Bulldogs to the tune of 27 points and eight assists while leading the Pilots to an upset win.
Much like his brother Owen, who will come over and join Wisconsin this year from the Australian NBL, Joel is also an aggressive point of attack defender. He’s a potential three-year starter for Arizona State and first-year coach Randy Bennett.
Guard
Committed
Portland
Arizona State
Ht: 6-3Wt: 190
Lindsay is a smaller scoring guard who was very reliable knocking down shots over the last two years at Nova and James Madison. In that stretch, he drilled 38.2 percent of his 3s on nearly seven 3-point attempts per game. He can play a bit as a combo guard but you want Lindsay on the court with another ballhandler as he’s wired much more to score. He’s much more effective playing off of the catch and attacking out of a triple-threat than he is in ball-screen situations.
He’s a starting guard on a high-major team that can make the NCAA Tournament, but you probably want him to be more your fourth- or fifth-best player if you’re contending beyond that, as his vision isn’t quite what you want from a smaller guard as a passer.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 190
Lindsay is a smaller scoring guard who was very reliable knocking down shots over the last two years at Nova and James Madison. In that stretch, he drilled 38.2 percent of his 3s on nearly seven 3-point attempts per game. He can play a bit as a combo guard but you want Lindsay on the court with another ballhandler as he’s wired much more to score. He’s much more effective playing off of the catch and attacking out of a triple-threat than he is in ball-screen situations.
He’s a starting guard on a high-major team that can make the NCAA Tournament, but you probably want him to be more your fourth- or fifth-best player if you’re contending beyond that, as his vision isn’t quite what you want from a smaller guard as a passer.
Guard
Committed
Villanova
Indiana
Ht: 6-9Wt: 185
Look, this one is a pure flier on our part. Elamin was a freshman starter on a terrific Utah State team that went to the Round of 32, and he played just 19.5 minutes per game and averaged 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds. So why is he here? Upside. It is hard to overestimate how difficult it is to find players who are 6-9 and this fluid and coordinated athletically, while also being as explosive as Elamin is. He’s still incredibly skinny, but as he develops into his frame, he simply looks the part of a future NBA player. It might not even be this season that his talent comes fully to fruition, but as a longer-term piece, there’s so much to be enthusiastic about.
He is comfortable stepping away and knocking down 3s, having drilled nearly 30 of them this season. His touch is terrific, having hit 83 percent of his foul shots. His cutting is terrific and sharply timed already. He is an active, energetic defender whose length and athleticism makes him the kind of help defender that covers a ton of ground on the court. I’d bet on him developing into a serious player at some point, and he followed his coach, Jerrod Calhoun, to Cincinnati to continue his progression.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 185
Look, this one is a pure flier on our part. Elamin was a freshman starter on a terrific Utah State team that went to the Round of 32, and he played just 19.5 minutes per game and averaged 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds. So why is he here? Upside. It is hard to overestimate how difficult it is to find players who are 6-9 and this fluid and coordinated athletically, while also being as explosive as Elamin is. He’s still incredibly skinny, but as he develops into his frame, he simply looks the part of a future NBA player. It might not even be this season that his talent comes fully to fruition, but as a longer-term piece, there’s so much to be enthusiastic about.
He is comfortable stepping away and knocking down 3s, having drilled nearly 30 of them this season. His touch is terrific, having hit 83 percent of his foul shots. His cutting is terrific and sharply timed already. He is an active, energetic defender whose length and athleticism makes him the kind of help defender that covers a ton of ground on the court. I’d bet on him developing into a serious player at some point, and he followed his coach, Jerrod Calhoun, to Cincinnati to continue his progression.
Forward
Committed
Utah State
Cincinnati
Ht: 6-4Wt: 190
Vanterpool is an outstanding two-way wing who should immediately impact winning in Bryan Hodgson’s new Providence era. Vanterpool was originally a Dusty May recruit; essentially, all of May’s FAU transfers went on to immense success at the power-conference level. Even without May these last two years, Vanterpool blossomed into a tenacious defender and rebounder, and he should immediately form a terrifying tag team on the wing with Miles Byrd. He also added a jumper and became a real spot up threat this season (87th percentile on spot-up efficiency, per Synergy), plus he is a smart ball mover who will find the open man. FAU was 9.2 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court, per CBB Analytics, and that matches the eye test of his contributions on both ends of the court.
Ht: 6-4Wt: 190
Vanterpool is an outstanding two-way wing who should immediately impact winning in Bryan Hodgson’s new Providence era. Vanterpool was originally a Dusty May recruit; essentially, all of May’s FAU transfers went on to immense success at the power-conference level. Even without May these last two years, Vanterpool blossomed into a tenacious defender and rebounder, and he should immediately form a terrifying tag team on the wing with Miles Byrd. He also added a jumper and became a real spot up threat this season (87th percentile on spot-up efficiency, per Synergy), plus he is a smart ball mover who will find the open man. FAU was 9.2 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court, per CBB Analytics, and that matches the eye test of his contributions on both ends of the court.
Wing
Committed
Florida Atlantic
Providence
Ht: 6-10Wt: 210
After starting his career at Colorado State, Evans flourished in 2025-26, leading the country in blocks and blocks per game. He is also an excellent defensive rebounder. UC Irvine consistently has elite rim protection, but Evans anchored the No. 1 2-point percentage defense. Opponents shot a dismal 45.5 percent at the rim with Evans on the floor.
On offense, Evans knows his role and excels as a finisher, especially on second-shot opportunities. He ranked in the 95th percentile in post scoring efficiency. Per CBB Analytics, the Anteaters were 22.1 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor, and a lot of that impact was on offense.
Admittedly, Evans is thin and not an overwhelming athlete. Irvine also did not play against a single power-conference foe. But in a market that wants size and rim protection, he is an under-the-radar name.
Ht: 6-10Wt: 210
After starting his career at Colorado State, Evans flourished in 2025-26, leading the country in blocks and blocks per game. He is also an excellent defensive rebounder. UC Irvine consistently has elite rim protection, but Evans anchored the No. 1 2-point percentage defense. Opponents shot a dismal 45.5 percent at the rim with Evans on the floor.
On offense, Evans knows his role and excels as a finisher, especially on second-shot opportunities. He ranked in the 95th percentile in post scoring efficiency. Per CBB Analytics, the Anteaters were 22.1 points better per 100 possessions with him on the floor, and a lot of that impact was on offense.
Admittedly, Evans is thin and not an overwhelming athlete. Irvine also did not play against a single power-conference foe. But in a market that wants size and rim protection, he is an under-the-radar name.
Forward
Committed
UC Irvine
NC State
Ht: 6-10Wt: 244
Buyuktuncel might get overlooked because of his per-game averages, but he was a key starter on a Sweet 16 team and there’s value in knowing how to win. Buyuktuncel started his career at UCLA and arrived from Turkey with NBA Draft buzz. Injuries derailed his freshman season and then he landed at Nebraska, where he was a great fit the last two seasons as a defensive star who was a connector offensively. It was surprising that he reentered the portal because he had so much success playing his role at Nebraska.
Buyuktuncel was perfect in Nebraska’s no-middle scheme as a big, physically imposing body who could guard away from the bucket and also be a rim protector inside. Offensively, he was used mostly as a ball mover and screener. He’ a capable ball handler and passer for his size. The big lefty does most of his damage in the paint scoring, but he can step out and make the occasional 3. He made 47 in three seasons at a 27 percent clip. He played mostly at the 4 for the Huskers next to Rienk Mast, but he’s capable of playing either spot in the interior.
Ht: 6-10Wt: 244
Buyuktuncel might get overlooked because of his per-game averages, but he was a key starter on a Sweet 16 team and there’s value in knowing how to win. Buyuktuncel started his career at UCLA and arrived from Turkey with NBA Draft buzz. Injuries derailed his freshman season and then he landed at Nebraska, where he was a great fit the last two seasons as a defensive star who was a connector offensively. It was surprising that he reentered the portal because he had so much success playing his role at Nebraska.
Buyuktuncel was perfect in Nebraska’s no-middle scheme as a big, physically imposing body who could guard away from the bucket and also be a rim protector inside. Offensively, he was used mostly as a ball mover and screener. He’ a capable ball handler and passer for his size. The big lefty does most of his damage in the paint scoring, but he can step out and make the occasional 3. He made 47 in three seasons at a 27 percent clip. He played mostly at the 4 for the Huskers next to Rienk Mast, but he’s capable of playing either spot in the interior.
Forward
Committed
Nebraska
Vanderbilt
Ht: 6-9Wt: 221
Phillips is something of a forgotten man after injuries ruined his junior season (fortunately, that should allow him to possibly play two more collegiate campaigns, if he can take a medical redshirt). He was limited by a shoulder issue in the 10 games he did manage to play, which hampered his production and effectiveness, but he has a lot of appealing traits. He’s a springy athlete with some real physical juice, and he was an integral rotation player for the Vols’ Elite Eight team in 2025. He’s hyperactive on the glass and an outstanding cutter and finisher, and he provides legitimate rim protection from the power forward spot.
That would make him a great fit alongside any team with a more perimeter-tethered 5 man. If his shoulder is fully healthy, he will be a steal for Texas A&M as an undervalued frontcourt piece who does not need the ball to impact the game.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 221
Phillips is something of a forgotten man after injuries ruined his junior season (fortunately, that should allow him to possibly play two more collegiate campaigns, if he can take a medical redshirt). He was limited by a shoulder issue in the 10 games he did manage to play, which hampered his production and effectiveness, but he has a lot of appealing traits. He’s a springy athlete with some real physical juice, and he was an integral rotation player for the Vols’ Elite Eight team in 2025. He’s hyperactive on the glass and an outstanding cutter and finisher, and he provides legitimate rim protection from the power forward spot.
That would make him a great fit alongside any team with a more perimeter-tethered 5 man. If his shoulder is fully healthy, he will be a steal for Texas A&M as an undervalued frontcourt piece who does not need the ball to impact the game.
Forward
Committed
Tennessee
Texas A&M
Ht: 7-3Wt: 285
An absolute mountain of a man, McKeever’s size will tantalize suitors after watching Aday Mara and Motiejus Krivas lead the line for two of the sport’s best teams. McKeever is not those guys, though: He had just a 4 percent block rate, 285th nationally, and did not really impact opponents’ rim finishing per the on/off numbers. He somehow managed only 10 dunks despite a shot diet that concentrated right around the rim, and he was not an especially great finisher on layups. Put more simply, he lacks any vertical explosion and is not quite as long as Mara and Krivas.
What McKeever, is, though, remains quite useful. He gobbles up rebounds on both ends of the floor like Pac-Man devouring dots, and he exhibits impressive playmaking when he has the ball in his hands as a short roller or in the post. He has legitimate mobility for a man of his staggering stature. Given the demand for big men, the mammoth McKeever will command a hefty payday for his rebounding alone.
Ht: 7-3Wt: 285
An absolute mountain of a man, McKeever’s size will tantalize suitors after watching Aday Mara and Motiejus Krivas lead the line for two of the sport’s best teams. McKeever is not those guys, though: He had just a 4 percent block rate, 285th nationally, and did not really impact opponents’ rim finishing per the on/off numbers. He somehow managed only 10 dunks despite a shot diet that concentrated right around the rim, and he was not an especially great finisher on layups. Put more simply, he lacks any vertical explosion and is not quite as long as Mara and Krivas.
What McKeever, is, though, remains quite useful. He gobbles up rebounds on both ends of the floor like Pac-Man devouring dots, and he exhibits impressive playmaking when he has the ball in his hands as a short roller or in the post. He has legitimate mobility for a man of his staggering stature. Given the demand for big men, the mammoth McKeever will command a hefty payday for his rebounding alone.
Center
Committed
Saint Mary’s
Iowa
Ht: 6-0Wt: 190
Garland was immensely productive in the Mountain West, albeit for a nine-win team. He managed impressive efficiency (58.0 percent true shooting, 2.2 assist/turnover ratio) as the clear primary option for a team with few supporting weapons. He was lethal in ball screens and dribble handoffs, scoring efficiently in both actions on high volume, and he was also one of the most prolific midrange scorers in the country. Per Bart Torvik, only 16 players took 200 or more “far 2s” last season; Garland led all of them in field goal percentage on those attempts at 49.8 percent.
He will not provide a ton of rim pressure, but he is a deadly scorer and very capable playmaker who performed quite well against top competition.
Context matters quite a bit here. San Jose State was one of the most injury-riddled teams in the country, losing four full-time starters to season-ending injuries among other nagging maladies, so Garland should hardly be punished for SJSU’s win/loss record. To the contrary, maintaining such impressive individual numbers against stiff competition despite little consistent support should speak to his abilities.
Ht: 6-0Wt: 190
Garland was immensely productive in the Mountain West, albeit for a nine-win team. He managed impressive efficiency (58.0 percent true shooting, 2.2 assist/turnover ratio) as the clear primary option for a team with few supporting weapons. He was lethal in ball screens and dribble handoffs, scoring efficiently in both actions on high volume, and he was also one of the most prolific midrange scorers in the country. Per Bart Torvik, only 16 players took 200 or more “far 2s” last season; Garland led all of them in field goal percentage on those attempts at 49.8 percent.
He will not provide a ton of rim pressure, but he is a deadly scorer and very capable playmaker who performed quite well against top competition.
Context matters quite a bit here. San Jose State was one of the most injury-riddled teams in the country, losing four full-time starters to season-ending injuries among other nagging maladies, so Garland should hardly be punished for SJSU’s win/loss record. To the contrary, maintaining such impressive individual numbers against stiff competition despite little consistent support should speak to his abilities.
Guard
Committed
San Jose State
Georgia Tech
Ht: 6-7Wt: 215
Holcombe is not going to frighten you when he gets off the bus, nor is he going to wow you with highlight reel hops. But he is good at nearly everything you can do on a basketball court. He rebounds on both ends of the court, he is an excellent passer in the frontcourt, he can get his own shot in isolation (96th percentile in iso efficiency, per Synergy), and he is incredibly disruptive on the defensive end (No. 4 block rate and No. 1 steal rate in the WAC, per KenPom). He fits the “jack of all trades, master of none” descriptor, helping him earn all-WAC first team and all-defensive team honors for the conference’s regular-season champions.
His lack of a 3-point jumper combined with his pedestrian measurables could limit him somewhat at the power-conference level, but considering all of the areas in which Holcombe makes his presence felt, he could be a perfect connector and complementary player.
Ht: 6-7Wt: 215
Holcombe is not going to frighten you when he gets off the bus, nor is he going to wow you with highlight reel hops. But he is good at nearly everything you can do on a basketball court. He rebounds on both ends of the court, he is an excellent passer in the frontcourt, he can get his own shot in isolation (96th percentile in iso efficiency, per Synergy), and he is incredibly disruptive on the defensive end (No. 4 block rate and No. 1 steal rate in the WAC, per KenPom). He fits the “jack of all trades, master of none” descriptor, helping him earn all-WAC first team and all-defensive team honors for the conference’s regular-season champions.
His lack of a 3-point jumper combined with his pedestrian measurables could limit him somewhat at the power-conference level, but considering all of the areas in which Holcombe makes his presence felt, he could be a perfect connector and complementary player.
Forward
Committed
Utah Valley
Utah
Ht: 6-6Wt: 220
Knox is a 3-and-D wing with a picturesque jumper. He’s shot 36.1 percent from 3 in two seasons at Arkansas and was used mostly as a spot-up shooter. He’s also a strong finisher at the rim in transition and off cuts. He has solid rebounding numbers for a wing.
His role has been pretty simple and he’s been effective in it. He started 42 of 58 games for the Hogs and missed the back half of this past season after season-ending surgery to repair a left meniscus injury. He’s committed to Louisville, where he should get a heavier dose of spot-up 3s in Pat Kelsey’s system. The former four-star recruit is the brother of former Kentucky wing Kevin Knox.
Ht: 6-6Wt: 220
Knox is a 3-and-D wing with a picturesque jumper. He’s shot 36.1 percent from 3 in two seasons at Arkansas and was used mostly as a spot-up shooter. He’s also a strong finisher at the rim in transition and off cuts. He has solid rebounding numbers for a wing.
His role has been pretty simple and he’s been effective in it. He started 42 of 58 games for the Hogs and missed the back half of this past season after season-ending surgery to repair a left meniscus injury. He’s committed to Louisville, where he should get a heavier dose of spot-up 3s in Pat Kelsey’s system. The former four-star recruit is the brother of former Kentucky wing Kevin Knox.
Wing
Committed
Arkansas
Louisville
Ht: 6-8Wt: 230
Goode was a highly productive frontcourt piece for the Colonials, nearly logging a double-double on a nightly basis while also being a ludicrously efficient scorer. He led the entire country in true shooting percentage, helped quite a bit by scalding 36-of-63 (57.1%) conversion rate from beyond the arc. That efficiency made him pop in a major way in statistical models, and earned him a level up to Miami. He also ranked in the 99th percentile nationally in net on/off differential, per CBB Analytics.
His defense could be an issue. He is not a standout athlete and grades out poorly guarding the post and shadowing roll men, per Synergy. To his credit, he does fight for position and is stout on the glass. Like Alvaro Folguieras a year ago, Goode is an analytical darling from the RMU frontcourt that should wind up as a key player at an NCAA Tournament-level team.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 230
Goode was a highly productive frontcourt piece for the Colonials, nearly logging a double-double on a nightly basis while also being a ludicrously efficient scorer. He led the entire country in true shooting percentage, helped quite a bit by scalding 36-of-63 (57.1%) conversion rate from beyond the arc. That efficiency made him pop in a major way in statistical models, and earned him a level up to Miami. He also ranked in the 99th percentile nationally in net on/off differential, per CBB Analytics.
His defense could be an issue. He is not a standout athlete and grades out poorly guarding the post and shadowing roll men, per Synergy. To his credit, he does fight for position and is stout on the glass. Like Alvaro Folguieras a year ago, Goode is an analytical darling from the RMU frontcourt that should wind up as a key player at an NCAA Tournament-level team.
Forward
Committed
Robert Morris
Miami
Ht: 6-9Wt: 220
Belmont has long been a quasi-farm team for power-conference squads. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Cade Tyson, Malik Dia and Isaiah Walker have all gone that route in the past two years. Orme — plus two of his teammates, Tyler Lundblade and Drew Scharnowski — join them after the Bruins shredded the Missouri Valley during the regular season.
Orme is an ideal connector and complementary scorer. He was efficient from everywhere on the court in the high-powered Belmont offense, and his ability to space the floor will be a welcome attribute in Fred Hoiberg’s five-out Nebraska offense. He’s also a savvy ball mover and smart cutter (90th percentile in cut efficiency, per Synergy), more attributes that make him a great fit in Lincoln. He should be a solid fit on defense, as well, thanks to his length and intelligence. Orme will not be a star, but he is a superb secondary piece to slot in next to Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager.
Ht: 6-9Wt: 220
Belmont has long been a quasi-farm team for power-conference squads. Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Cade Tyson, Malik Dia and Isaiah Walker have all gone that route in the past two years. Orme — plus two of his teammates, Tyler Lundblade and Drew Scharnowski — join them after the Bruins shredded the Missouri Valley during the regular season.
Orme is an ideal connector and complementary scorer. He was efficient from everywhere on the court in the high-powered Belmont offense, and his ability to space the floor will be a welcome attribute in Fred Hoiberg’s five-out Nebraska offense. He’s also a savvy ball mover and smart cutter (90th percentile in cut efficiency, per Synergy), more attributes that make him a great fit in Lincoln. He should be a solid fit on defense, as well, thanks to his length and intelligence. Orme will not be a star, but he is a superb secondary piece to slot in next to Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager.
Forward
Committed
Belmont
Nebraska
Ht: 6-3Wt: 185
Glass started his freshman season coming off the bench, but he flashed the upside to break into the starting lineup. He immediately rewarded that decision, exploding for 40 points in a scintillating 100-94 loss to Arizona State at the Maui Invitational. Like any rookie guard, he had some ups and downs after that, but Glass’ upside as a shot maker and secondary playmaker was evident all year. He can light it up from deep, but he’s at his most deadly off the bounce in the midrange: per CBB Analytics, he shot 50.7 percent from mid territory, placing him in the 91st percentile nationally. That contributed to his elite efficiency in pick-and-roll actions, and he also knows how to patiently navigate the screen and use his body to keep his defender on his hip.
Glass is not huge for a combo guard in the SEC, but he finished fairly well at the rim against WCC competition and has the frame to add more strength. He should form a terrifying on-ball combo with Tyler Tanner as he steps into the departed Duke Miles’ role in Nashville.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 185
Glass started his freshman season coming off the bench, but he flashed the upside to break into the starting lineup. He immediately rewarded that decision, exploding for 40 points in a scintillating 100-94 loss to Arizona State at the Maui Invitational. Like any rookie guard, he had some ups and downs after that, but Glass’ upside as a shot maker and secondary playmaker was evident all year. He can light it up from deep, but he’s at his most deadly off the bounce in the midrange: per CBB Analytics, he shot 50.7 percent from mid territory, placing him in the 91st percentile nationally. That contributed to his elite efficiency in pick-and-roll actions, and he also knows how to patiently navigate the screen and use his body to keep his defender on his hip.
Glass is not huge for a combo guard in the SEC, but he finished fairly well at the rim against WCC competition and has the frame to add more strength. He should form a terrifying on-ball combo with Tyler Tanner as he steps into the departed Duke Miles’ role in Nashville.
Guard
Committed
Washington State
Vanderbilt
Ht: 6-8Wt: 215
Aristode is a big-bodied wing with a lethal perimeter stroke. The numbers tell the story (46.2 percent from beyond the arc), and the eye test agrees, as the ball comes out of his hand smoothly with a high release. Perhaps his 50 percent shooting from the free-throw line is a harbinger of some regression, but given the emphasis on size across the sport, Aristode will remain immensely valuable as a jumbo wing that can stretch the court.
The real question for Aristode is how much upside remains beneath the surface. He is an outstanding vertical athlete and oozes defensive potential; he could be a four- or five-position stopper given his strength and tools. Cracking the rotation for an elite Arizona squad despite missing most of his senior year of high school due to injury is quite impressive. The Dutch native could be a breakout star at Oregon if given more usage and opportunity.
Ht: 6-8Wt: 215
Aristode is a big-bodied wing with a lethal perimeter stroke. The numbers tell the story (46.2 percent from beyond the arc), and the eye test agrees, as the ball comes out of his hand smoothly with a high release. Perhaps his 50 percent shooting from the free-throw line is a harbinger of some regression, but given the emphasis on size across the sport, Aristode will remain immensely valuable as a jumbo wing that can stretch the court.
The real question for Aristode is how much upside remains beneath the surface. He is an outstanding vertical athlete and oozes defensive potential; he could be a four- or five-position stopper given his strength and tools. Cracking the rotation for an elite Arizona squad despite missing most of his senior year of high school due to injury is quite impressive. The Dutch native could be a breakout star at Oregon if given more usage and opportunity.
Wing
Committed
Arizona
Oregon
Ht: 6-1Wt: 190
Mandaquit is a consummate point guard who excels as a distributor when he has talent around him. His pure passing shined on the FIBA stage playing with the United States’ brightest young stars (5.4 assists in just 16.9 minutes per game at the U19 World Cup in 2025), and he does not need to shoot much to impact the game. His environment at Washington lacked the same kind of weaponry around him, and as a result, his decision-making and shaky shooting limited him before injury ended his season. He’s tough on the ball defensively, though, and he can be an excellent creator in ball screens. He still needs to add more to his offensive game to avoid opponents sagging way off him, and new teammate Derek Dixon’s shooting could relegate Mandaquit to a reserve role.
A bonus note given Mandaquit’s commitment to Arizona: he is close with Koa Peat, the Wildcats’ star freshman forward who is generally expected to enter the NBA Draft. Would a season with Mandaquit and a hefty NIL check entice Peat to play a second year in Tucson?
Ht: 6-1Wt: 190
Mandaquit is a consummate point guard who excels as a distributor when he has talent around him. His pure passing shined on the FIBA stage playing with the United States’ brightest young stars (5.4 assists in just 16.9 minutes per game at the U19 World Cup in 2025), and he does not need to shoot much to impact the game. His environment at Washington lacked the same kind of weaponry around him, and as a result, his decision-making and shaky shooting limited him before injury ended his season. He’s tough on the ball defensively, though, and he can be an excellent creator in ball screens. He still needs to add more to his offensive game to avoid opponents sagging way off him, and new teammate Derek Dixon’s shooting could relegate Mandaquit to a reserve role.
A bonus note given Mandaquit’s commitment to Arizona: he is close with Koa Peat, the Wildcats’ star freshman forward who is generally expected to enter the NBA Draft. Would a season with Mandaquit and a hefty NIL check entice Peat to play a second year in Tucson?
Guard
Committed
Washington
Arizona
Ht: 6-10Wt: 240
Sylla is an upside inclusion on this list. He ranked as the 17th-best recruit at 247Sports in the loaded 2025 class. Sylla played in only 16 games and his freshman season was cut short by an ankle injury. He is a vertical lob threat who has the athleticism to be an elite rim protector and rebounder. He had a 25.5 defensive rebounding rate, which would have ranked top 30 nationally. He made a couple face-up jumpers but most of his points were scored about the rim, and he shot only 42.9 percent at the line.
His offensive game is raw right now, but the defensive upside is high. Sylla is headed to West Virginia, where coach Ross Hodge had success developing a similar player in Moulaye Sissoko at North Texas.
Ht: 6-10Wt: 240
Sylla is an upside inclusion on this list. He ranked as the 17th-best recruit at 247Sports in the loaded 2025 class. Sylla played in only 16 games and his freshman season was cut short by an ankle injury. He is a vertical lob threat who has the athleticism to be an elite rim protector and rebounder. He had a 25.5 defensive rebounding rate, which would have ranked top 30 nationally. He made a couple face-up jumpers but most of his points were scored about the rim, and he shot only 42.9 percent at the line.
His offensive game is raw right now, but the defensive upside is high. Sylla is headed to West Virginia, where coach Ross Hodge had success developing a similar player in Moulaye Sissoko at North Texas.
Center
Committed
Georgia Tech
West Virginia
Ht: 6-11Wt: 225
It’s not easy to find a legit big with a jump shot and real skill, and Fielder has both. He broke out this season at Boise State after two years as a role player at Georgetown, leading the Broncos in scoring and making second-team All-Mountain West. He shot 40.9 percent from 3. He can score from the post as well and has great touch.
He slides his feet well for a big man but doesn’t block many shots and doesn’t offer much in the way of rim protection. The three teams he’s played on have all ranked outside the top 100 in 2-point defense and Boise State ranked 246th this season. He’ll now level back up at Alabama.
Ht: 6-11Wt: 225
It’s not easy to find a legit big with a jump shot and real skill, and Fielder has both. He broke out this season at Boise State after two years as a role player at Georgetown, leading the Broncos in scoring and making second-team All-Mountain West. He shot 40.9 percent from 3. He can score from the post as well and has great touch.
He slides his feet well for a big man but doesn’t block many shots and doesn’t offer much in the way of rim protection. The three teams he’s played on have all ranked outside the top 100 in 2-point defense and Boise State ranked 246th this season. He’ll now level back up at Alabama.
Center
Committed
Boise State
Alabama
Ht: 6-3Wt: 190
Riley’s rise was sudden and surprising. Riley spent two years at Cal Baptist and was a fringe rotation player as a freshman and then averaged 7.5 points in 19.1 minutes per game as a sophomore. He broke out this past season as the star on a 30-win Tulsa team that made it to the NIT championship game. Riley has great size and strength for a point guard. He gets to the paint often and embraces contact. He had a 61.2 free-throw rate, which was 11th-highest nationally among players 6-3 or shorter. He shoots 86.6 percent at the line.
While Riley wasn’t the most efficient at the rim — 51.8 percent, per Synergy — he often drew a help defender, which generated a lot of putbacks, and a lot of his drives put him at the free-throw line. Riley also made a solid 38.6 percent of his 3s on just 1.9 attempts per game. He had never been reliable before — 23 percent his first two seasons — but he got to the point where he could make defenses pay for going under ball screens or leaving him alone. Riley also has a good feel for running a team and finding shots for his teammates. He helped Tulsa go from 13 wins to 30 and from 270th to 43rd in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Ht: 6-3Wt: 190
Riley’s rise was sudden and surprising. Riley spent two years at Cal Baptist and was a fringe rotation player as a freshman and then averaged 7.5 points in 19.1 minutes per game as a sophomore. He broke out this past season as the star on a 30-win Tulsa team that made it to the NIT championship game. Riley has great size and strength for a point guard. He gets to the paint often and embraces contact. He had a 61.2 free-throw rate, which was 11th-highest nationally among players 6-3 or shorter. He shoots 86.6 percent at the line.
While Riley wasn’t the most efficient at the rim — 51.8 percent, per Synergy — he often drew a help defender, which generated a lot of putbacks, and a lot of his drives put him at the free-throw line. Riley also made a solid 38.6 percent of his 3s on just 1.9 attempts per game. He had never been reliable before — 23 percent his first two seasons — but he got to the point where he could make defenses pay for going under ball screens or leaving him alone. Riley also has a good feel for running a team and finding shots for his teammates. He helped Tulsa go from 13 wins to 30 and from 270th to 43rd in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Guard
Committed
Tulsa
Cincinnati
Ht: 6-10Wt: 230
The 23-year-old is headed to Notre Dame for his sixth year of college. Duncomb had a surprising rise this past year, winning Big South Player of the Year after being Winthrop’s 10th man the year before. He started his career at Indiana, barely playing two years and then transferring back home to Cincinnati to play for Xavier. He never played for the Musketeers, opting to quit the team. This season he finally got his shot and was one of the most productive low-post scorers in the country.
Duncomb was the fourth-most efficient post-up scorer among those who averaged at least four post-ups per game, per Synergy. He also drew 9.5 fouls per 40 minutes, which led college basketball. Duncomb may struggle to score as efficiently against bigger and stronger defenders at the high-major level, but his jump hook and footwork around the basket will give him a chance. He also is effective rolling out of ball screens.
Ht: 6-10Wt: 230
The 23-year-old is headed to Notre Dame for his sixth year of college. Duncomb had a surprising rise this past year, winning Big South Player of the Year after being Winthrop’s 10th man the year before. He started his career at Indiana, barely playing two years and then transferring back home to Cincinnati to play for Xavier. He never played for the Musketeers, opting to quit the team. This season he finally got his shot and was one of the most productive low-post scorers in the country.
Duncomb was the fourth-most efficient post-up scorer among those who averaged at least four post-ups per game, per Synergy. He also drew 9.5 fouls per 40 minutes, which led college basketball. Duncomb may struggle to score as efficiently against bigger and stronger defenders at the high-major level, but his jump hook and footwork around the basket will give him a chance. He also is effective rolling out of ball screens.
Center
Committed
Winthrop
Notre Dame
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Edmead is fearless. He scored 24 points on 25 shots in a NCAA Tournament loss against Alabama and went for 26 points in the CAA championship to earn the Pride a tourney berth. Edmead and Cruz Davis dominated the ball for Hofstra and were allowed to take just about any shot they wanted. So there’s some shot selection questions with Edmead, but he is capable of scoring at a higher level.
He made 96 3s at a 38.7 percent clip. He can get shots off so rapidly because of his speed and handle. He knows how to generate space for himself off the bounce or out of ball screens. He generated 14.4 points per game in pick-and-rolls, including passes, which tied for 23rd-most nationally, per Synergy. His size makes it tough for him around the basket, but he does get to the line. He fits well in any system that gives its guards freedom and sets a lot of ball screens.
Ht: 6-1Wt: 170
Edmead is fearless. He scored 24 points on 25 shots in a NCAA Tournament loss against Alabama and went for 26 points in the CAA championship to earn the Pride a tourney berth. Edmead and Cruz Davis dominated the ball for Hofstra and were allowed to take just about any shot they wanted. So there’s some shot selection questions with Edmead, but he is capable of scoring at a higher level.
He made 96 3s at a 38.7 percent clip. He can get shots off so rapidly because of his speed and handle. He knows how to generate space for himself off the bounce or out of ball screens. He generated 14.4 points per game in pick-and-rolls, including passes, which tied for 23rd-most nationally, per Synergy. His size makes it tough for him around the basket, but he does get to the line. He fits well in any system that gives its guards freedom and sets a lot of ball screens.
Guard
Committed
Hofstra
NC State
Ht: 6-6Wt: 220
Pick your analogy: Siulepa is a tank, or a freight train, or a linebacker. They are all applicable for this bulldozing slasher, an Aussie who very clearly still possesses an affinity for contact from his days playing rugby. Unsurprisingly, he was an outstanding rugby player, as well. He’s powerful and extremely difficult to stop when he gets a head of steam, and he is a terror on the offensive glass through sheer strength and force of will. Siulepa possesses tremendous defensive upside given his frame and mobility combination, though the positional awareness is still catching up to the speed of the college game.
The skill part of things still lags behind the rest of his game. He is an awful free throw shooter (50 percent as a freshman), which limits the benefit of the consistent contact he can draw on his domineering drives. He is a willing 3-point shooter if left open, but foes are happy to let him launch until he proves he can make more jumpers. To his credit, he took just five midrange jumpers all season, so he keeps an analytically sound shot distribution. If he can add a jumper, he has all-conference potential in the SEC.
Ht: 6-6Wt: 220
Pick your analogy: Siulepa is a tank, or a freight train, or a linebacker. They are all applicable for this bulldozing slasher, an Aussie who very clearly still possesses an affinity for contact from his days playing rugby. Unsurprisingly, he was an outstanding rugby player, as well. He’s powerful and extremely difficult to stop when he gets a head of steam, and he is a terror on the offensive glass through sheer strength and force of will. Siulepa possesses tremendous defensive upside given his frame and mobility combination, though the positional awareness is still catching up to the speed of the college game.
The skill part of things still lags behind the rest of his game. He is an awful free throw shooter (50 percent as a freshman), which limits the benefit of the consistent contact he can draw on his domineering drives. He is a willing 3-point shooter if left open, but foes are happy to let him launch until he proves he can make more jumpers. To his credit, he took just five midrange jumpers all season, so he keeps an analytically sound shot distribution. If he can add a jumper, he has all-conference potential in the SEC.
Forward
Committed
Pittsburgh
Ole Miss
May 18, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle
