Why UNC basketball center Henri Veesaar joined Hubert Davis, Tar Heels
UNC basketball center Henri Veesaar, an Arizona transfer, discussed why he joined the Tar Heels during his first interview with media members.
In just over a month, college basketball will be here. Preseason practices are underway and the ball will soon be tipped to start the 2025-26 season.
Coming off its historic season, which included a sweep of the ACC championships and a Final Four berth, Duke is again in reload mode following the departure of Cooper Flagg and two other top-10 NBA Draft picks.
The Blue Devils remain the favorites to win the 18-team league, but there are several programs trying to take that step from challenger to champion. Louisville is a popular preseason pick to threaten Duke’s place at the title table. The Blue Devils’ Tobacco Road rivals will also have a say in how the standings shake out.
UNC is trying to get back on track after sneaking into the NCAA Tournament, N.C. State is ready for a “red reckoning” with Will Wade and Wake Forest is still searching for its first March Madness bid with Steve Forbes.
With just over 30 days until a new season tips off on Nov. 3, here are 30 newcomers to watch in 2025-26.
Cameron Boozer, Duke basketball
The favorite to follow in Cooper Flagg’s footsteps as ACC Player of the Year, Boozer is a 6-foot-9 freshman with three-level skill and a projected top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. If he wins Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, he’ll be the fifth Blue Devil to do so.
Mikel Brown Jr, Louisville basketball
A 6-foot-5 freshman capable of taking the Cardinals from good to great, Brown is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. A ball-dominant guard and creator, Brown is expected to be one of the top players in the nation.
Darrion Williams, NC State basketball
Arguably the top player in the latest transfer portal cycle, Williams has the talent to be ACC Player of the Year as a Texas Tech transfer and the Wolfpack’s unquestioned alpha. If State is able to turn things around, the 6-foot-5 senior will be a big reason why.
Malik Reneau, Miami basketball
An Indiana transfer returning back home, Reneau should be one of the best bigs in the ACC. The 6-foot-9 forward led the Hoosiers in scoring last season and could do the same with the Hurricanes.
Caleb Wilson, UNC basketball
The Tar Heels’ top recruit in some time, Wilson is a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. As a 6-foot-10 forward with perimeter skills, Wilson provides the Tar Heels with a powerhouse presence in the post.
Nick Davidson, Clemson basketball
The Tigers needed bigs to replace Ian Schieffelin and Viktor Lakhin. They found one in Davidson, a 6-foot-10 Nevada transfer. He averaged nearly 16 points and 7 rebounds per game last season.
Tre Donaldson, Miami basketball
The lead guard for Jai Lucas as Miami begins a new era, Donaldson arrives in Florida as a Michigan transfer who helped the Wolverines win the Big Ten Tournament with his shooting and playmaking.
Ryan Conwell, Louisville basketball
An Xavier transfer, Conwell gives the Cardinals a reliable, veteran guard capable of guiding the younger players on the perimeter. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 16.5 points per game last season with the Musketeers.
Henri Veesaar, UNC basketball
The Tar Heels didn’t have a true center last season, which became a big problem. Veesaar, a 7-footer who transferred from Arizona, solves that problem for UNC with the expectation of being one of the top two-way bigs in the nation.
Malik Thomas, Virginia basketball
A San Francisco transfer who nearly averaged 20 points per game, Thomas gives the new-look Cavaliers some pop on the perimeter as a 6-foot-5 graduate guard.
Dame Sarr, Duke basketball
When Cedric Coward decided to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Blue Devils needed to fill the gap on the wing. They’ll try to do that with Sarr, a 6-foot-8 Italian wing expected to be a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Tre Holloman, NC State basketball
A captain for Tom Izzo at Michigan State, Holloman will be the culture guy as the Wolfpack’s new point guard. A menace with his on-ball defense at the point of attack, Holloman looks like he’ll be a perfect fit in Raleigh.
Cooper Schwieger, Wake Forest basketball
A 6-foot-10 Valparaiso transfer, Schwieger is positioned to be one of the top newcomers in the post after averaging nearly 16 points and 8 rebounds per game as an all-conference player in the Missouri Valley.
Kyan Evans, UNC basketball
With RJ Davis gone, the Tar Heels needed to find a reliable 3-point shooter. Evans fits as the piece to that puzzle, shooting nearly 45% from 3-point range at Colorado State before coming to UNC.
Nik Khamenia, Duke basketball
Another freshman getting a lot of buzz for the Blue Devils, Khamenia is a 6-foot-8 forward with playmaking skills and international experience. His shooting, versatility and passing will be key for Duke’s reloaded bunch.
Matt Able, NC State basketball
A 6-foot-6 guard and Will Wade’s top recruit this season, Able is a bucket-getter with the skills to become an instant force as a two-way threat for the Wolfpack.
Neoklis Avdolas, Virginia Tech basketball
A 6-foot-9 freshman from Greece, Avdolas could be the top international prospect in college hoops this season. He’s a versatile wing and three-level scorer who could make a major move up draft boards.
Adrian Wooley, Louisville basketball
The Kennesaw State transfer joined the Cards after being named the Conference USA Freshman of the Year as a freshman. He stuffed the stat sheet, averaging nearly 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Devin Tillis, Virginia basketball
Following a successful run with UC Irvine, the 6-foot-7 forward will be one of the Cavaliers’ top options on the interior as a player who averaged nearly 14 points and 8 rebounds last season.
Kiyan Anthony, Syracuse basketball
JJ Starling and Georgia Tech transfer Naithan George are the headliners for the Orange, but Kiyan Anthony will garner plenty of attention as the son of Carmelo Anthony. A 6-foot-5 freshman, Anthony has plenty of pieces around him to relieve the pressure this season.
Cayden Boozer, Duke basketball
The 6-foot-4 guard isn’t as polished as his brother, but he might be the Blue Devils’ best option at point this season. Boozer has a knack for knowing where the ball needs to go and how to get it there.
Luka Bogavac, UNC basketball
Arguably the Tar Heels’ most intriguing prospect this season, Bogavac is an international wing who will be asked to provide UNC with stability as a playmaker and scorer on the perimeter.
Terrance Arceneaux, NC State basketball
Often behind a loaded group of talented wings in Houston, Arceneaux will finally get his chance in the spotlight as a forward for the Wolfpack. He should be one of the top defenders in the league.
Sam Lewis, Virginia basketball
The Toledo transfer was another quality piece added by Ryan Odom via the portal. Lewis, a 6-foot-7 guard, averaged 16 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game as an all-conference player in the MAC.
Jaron Pierre, SMU basketball
A 6-foot-5 guard from Jacksonville State, Pierre led the CUSA in scoring last season at nearly 22 points per game. Throw in his rebounding and assist capabilities and he provides the Mustangs with a quality newcomer to join a solid group of returners.
Carson Towt, Notre Dame basketball
The Irish are set at guard with Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry, but they needed a post threat. Towt provides that as a Northern Arizona transfer who averaged a double-double last season.
Will Wade, NC State coach
Wade creates headlines with his candid approach, but his track record as a winner keeps him in the conversation. He’s led his teams to NCAA Tournament berths in seven of his 11 seasons. There’s no reason to believe he won’t do the same in Raleigh.
Ryan Odom, Virginia coach
Tony Bennett’s sudden departure put the Hoos in a bind before last season. Following its first losing season since Bennett’s debut year in 2009, Virginia is turning to Ryan Odom, who led UMBC to that historic win against the Cavaliers in the 2018 NCAA Tournament before a successful run at VCU.
Jai Lucas, Miami coach
Tasked with replacing Jim Larrañaga, Lucas is accustomed to the pressure as a former top assistant at Duke. Known as a relentless recruiter and defensive tactician, Lucas’ time with the Blue Devils and Kentucky should serve him well as he takes on his first head-coaching challenge.
Luke Loucks, Florida State coach
A two-time NBA champion as part of the coaching staff with the Golden State Warriors, Loucks is the man replacing Leonard Hamilton. With his NBA and international experience, Loucks will try to help the Seminoles get back on track. The program hasn’t won 20 games in a season since 2020.
Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
