Andy Katz breaks down his top 10 international players heading into the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season.
Here is a closer look at who they are and the impact they could make this year.
1. Alex Condon, Florida (Australia): Condon was one of the key figures in the Gators’ national title run. Expect him to be a double-double machine for Florida in its quest for another championship.
2. Tomislav Ivišić, Illinois (Croatia): Ivišić averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a year ago, but his importance to the Illini will only increase this season. He’ll be the team’s anchor.
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3. Chad Baker-Mazara, USC (Dominican Republic): Baker-Mazara was one of the main reasons Auburn reached the Final Four. Now off to his fourth school, he’s a highlight reel who makes things happen.
4. Xaivian Lee, Florida (Canada): Lee’s numbers continued to rise during his Princeton career, and now, with elite players alongside him, he should really flourish.
5. Dame Sarr, Duke (Italy): Sarr’s impact should be felt on the defensive end for the Blue Devils. He can score but won’t be relied upon as heavily in that department.
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6. Oscar Cluff, Purdue (Australia): Cluff was a stat-stuffer at South Dakota State, averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds last season. The Boilermakers need his front-court presence to balance their elite backcourt.
7. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona (Lithuania): Krivas was injured for most of last season, limited to eight games, but Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd has called him one of the team’s most talented players. He’s got a chance to shine this year.
8. Henri Veesaar, North Carolina (Estonia): Veesaar was a solid rotation player for Arizona last season. He should be featured even more with the Tar Heels.
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9. Zvonimir Ivišić, Illinois (Croatia): Ivišić started under John Calipari at Kentucky and followed him to Arkansas. Now he’ll join his brother in Champaign, where he’s anticipating his best season yet.
10. Omer Mayer, Purdue (Israel): Mayer was a scoring machine for Israel during FIBA competition last summer. He should fit in seamlessly with Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer on a potential title team.
Andy Katz is an NCAA.com correspondent. Katz worked at ESPN for 18 years as a college basketball reporter, host and anchor. He’s covered every Final Four since 1992, and the sport since 1986 as a freshman at Wisconsin. He is a former president of the United States Basketball Writers Association. Katz can also be seen covering college basketball on Big Ten Network during the regular season. Follow him on Twitter at @theandykatz.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
