Grading every 2025 5-Star Recruit in CBB going into conference play.
January 6, 2026. Written by Daniel Lindsey
The freshman class in college basketball this season has been something to behold. There is a generational three-headed monster destined for the top of the NBA draft, with all three being freshmen from the 2025 class. There are numerous freshman leaders for top teams outside of those top 3, including Caleb Wilson at UNC and Tounde Yessoufou at Baylor, and even ones at less successful schools like Ebuka Okorie at Stanford and Daniel Freitag at Buffalo. With this known, I thought it would be a great time to go back through the 247sports composite rankings, and grade every 5-star’s start to their freshman season.
*Keep in mind, these aren’t rankings for now; they are the rankings from when they were recruits, and grades are from now.*
*Stats as of January 5, 2026*
27. Darius Adams, Guard, Maryland
From: La Lumiere School (IN)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 12.5 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 31 FG%, 26 3P%
Adams projects as a great three-point shooter with a solid all-around game. So far this season, he has been a pretty dependable player for Maryland despite his horrendous shooting splits to start the young season. Scouting reports out of high school described him as a smooth scorer on all three levels with a great instinctive feel for the game. He was also described as someone who could become a great PnR creator with efficient scoring and good defense. He has shown flashes of creation, but has yet to be very efficient in scoring the basketball. Because of some good flashes and performances, and showing some great feel and instincts for the game, though, the grade is mostly positive.
Best Performance: 16 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 5/10 FG, 0/4 3P (@ Marquette)
Grade: C
26. Matt Able, Guard, NC State
From: Sagemont Prep (FL)
2025–26 Season Stats: 15 G, 8.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.0 ast, 40 FG%, 31 3P%
Able has seen somewhat of a limited role so far this season at NC State. NC State came into the season with high expectations that they have been failing to meet so far. With this, Able has also struggled to meet some lofty expectations so far, but has been a solid rotation piece for a talented Will Wade squad. He has impressed being a spark plug off the bench in some games, with some tough shot-making skills and good athleticism being on display. He was advertised as someone who could make threes in bunches, with flashes of self-creation brilliance. While there have been flashes of this, his three-point shooting efficiency has been lacking, along with his scoring production. Overall, though, Able has shown enough flashes to still warrant hope for the rest of his freshman season to turn out an overwhelming success.
Best Performance: 15 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 6/12 FG, 2/5 3P (N Seton Hall)
Grade: C+
25. Malachi Moreno, Big, Kentucky
From: Great Crossing (KY)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 8.7 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 63 FG%, 00 3P%
Moreno has seen somewhat of a limited role so far this season with an uber-talented Kentucky squad. While Kentucky hasn’t met its big expectations to start the year, Moreno has been a very solid backup big man to start his freshman season. With star transfer Jayden Quaintance out for the start of the year, Moreno knew he would have a more advanced role than expected early, but he has been productive in this role. He has shown great flashes of rebounding and protecting the rim, as well as serving as a good PnR complement, and dunker spot master. He has shown little flashes of the post creation and touch from high school, but he is helping Kentucky perform with his all-around defensive and complementary offensive game.
Best Performance: 18 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 8/14 FG, 0/0 3P (H Valparaiso)
Grade: B
24. Dwayne Aristode, Wing, Arizona
From: Brewster Academy (NH)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 6.4 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.9 ast, 53 FG%, 50 3P%
Aristode has seen a very limited role for the AP #1-ranked Arizona Wildcats so far this season. He came out of Brewster Academy advertised as an athletic wing who can threaten teams in transition, with a great defensive and developing offensive game. And while Arizona has yet to grant him a solid role in the rotation, with him rarely exceeding 5 minutes of playing time in bigger games, the flashes in some of the quad 2 and quad 3 games have shown a lot of upside for Aristode. He has shown flashes of that really exciting athletic ability, along with excellent shooting from deep, shooting 51% so far this season on limited volume. So, although his box score stats may not be the biggest or most impressive, he has shown out in his limited role both on the offensive and defensive end.
Best Performance: 18 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 6/10 FG, 6/9 3P (H NAU)
Grade: B
23. Shelton Henderson, Wing, Miami
From: Bellaire (TX)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 13.4 pts, 4.4 reb, 2.3 ast, 60 FG%, 25 3P%
Henderson has really shown out so far in a big role on a solid Miami Hurricanes squad. He has put up scoring numbers very consistently and efficiently, scoring effectively at the rim and showing flashes of creating shots for himself and his teammates inside the arc. Henderson was advertised as a physical wing who can get to the basket at will, with flashes and potential of defensive ability and shot creation. So far this season, he has lived up to and passed almost all of those lofty expectations. Henderson has shown out on the defensive end with great hands and physicality, and has great instincts in the passing lanes. He has been improving his draft stock all year and will look to keep proving his shot creation skills.
Best Performance: 18 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 7/12 FG, 0/1 3P (@ Ole Miss)
Grade: A-
22. Shon Abaev, Wing, Cincinnati
From: Calvary Christian Academy (FL)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 9.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 33 FG%, 24 3P%
Abaev has had mixed results so far this season at Cincinnati, similar to the team’s performance. He was expected to be a great shot creator, with potential to be a closer and efficient scorer for a competitive Cincinnati squad. While he has shown some flashes and good performances so far this year, he hasn’t been able to efficiently score at this level very consistently. As of late, especially, Abaev has had some bad shooting games, shooting 4/22 in his last three games and getting benched after Cincinnati’s game against Lipscomb (where he went 0/6). This scoring inefficiency, combined with the fact that he hasn’t shown talent in many other areas of the court, as he isn’t a great rebounder, defender, or playmaker on offense, has really tainted his draft stock and the expectations of him being a star in the college game. I still believe there is time for Abaev to bring back the dominant scoring and dynamic athleticism, but for now, it’s not there.
Best Performance: 20 pts, 8 reb, 3 ast, 6/13 FG, 4/11 3P (H NJIT)
Grade: D+
21. Jasper Johnson, Guard, Kentucky
From: Overtime Elite (GA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 7.1 pts, 1.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 42 FG%, 37 3P%
Johnson has played a bench/rotation role so far this season for Nick Pope and Kentucky. He has been an effective bench guard, doing well facilitating the second unit offense and knocking down shots off of catch-and-shoot opportunities. Jasper was advertised as a future offensive creator who can create on all 3 levels and playmake effectively for his teammates, and so far, he has been able to do that, albeit on a smaller scale. Kentucky’s immense depth coming into the year led many people to think that Johnson, along with his 2025 classmate Malachi Moreno, would get buried on Kentucky’s bench, but with injuries to top transfers Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance, they both have stepped up into big bench roles. While Johnson’s role has deteriorated as the season has gone on with Lowe coming back, he has still shown immense flashes of being a future star guard.
Best Performance: 22 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 6/10 FG, 2/4 3P (H NC Central)
Grade: B-
20. Cayden Boozer, Guard, Duke
From: Columbus (FL)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 6.8 pts, 2.2 reb, 3.4 ast, 46 FG%, 29 3P%
Boozer has played a rotation role for the Blue Devils this season, backing up point guard Caleb Foster. He has been a great playmaking guard with flashes of three-point shooting and driving strengths as well. Cayden entered the season advertised as a lead ball handler with elite playmaking and the ability to run an offense, with possible self-creation or shooting flashes. Boozer has somewhat lived up to the expectations, even in a relatively smaller role with Duke. He has been closing games lately instead of Dame Sarr or his classmate Nik Khamenia as well, showing immense trust from Duke coach Jon Scheyer. Overall, Cayden has been solid so far this year in the role asked of him, distributing well to his teammates and playing all-around team defense with some of the best on the team. Although he has shown little flashes of self-creation, his floor is enough to earn a solid grade.
Best Performance: 13 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 5/12 FG, 0/4 3P (H Georgia Tech)
Grade: B-
19. Nikolas Khamenia, Wing, Duke
From: Harvard Westlake (CA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 5.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 1.5 ast, 41 FG%, 34 3P%
Khamenia’s role for the Duke Blue Devils has accelerated as the season has carried on. He started the year as a bench role player, shooting threes from the corner and doing the dirty work on the defensive end. But with Dame Sarr’s struggles shooting the basketball, Khamenia has slowly worked himself into the starting lineup for Duke. He has been alright in his role so far, doing a lot defensively for the Blue Devils, but we have yet to see very many flashes of his self-creation upside that was promised coming out of Harvard Westlake. Even without that offensive side being shown, though, he has excelled, hitting some key shots and playing great defense in big games.
Best Performance: 10 pts, 9 reb, 0 ast, 3/7 FG, 3/6 3P (@ Michigan St.)
Grade: C+
18. Trey McKenney, Guard, Michigan
From: St. Mary’s (MI)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 10.8 pts, 2.9 reb, 1.3 ast, 47 FG%, 37 3P%
McKenney has entered this elite Michigan squad and stepped into a perfect role for him so far. Trey has acted as mostly a spark plug, scoring rotation piece for Michigan, and he’s excelling. He has demonstrated the shot creation skills that made him such a highly touted recruit, along with showcasing an all-around game that has Michigan fans salivating about what his future holds in Ann Arbor. Playing behind fellow guards Elliott Cadeau and Nimari Burnett in the starting lineup, along with guard Roddy Gayle and LJ Cason off the bench, the minutes were never guaranteed, but McKenney has done more than enough to earn them. Trey is also a good defender, who utilizes his good instincts, as well as underrated physicality, to stay with bigger opponents in the paint. Very positive grade for now, and excited for what his and this Michigan teams future holds.
Best Performance: 21 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast, 7/10 FG, 6/8 3P (H Oakland)
Grade: A-
17. Jalen Haralson, Wing, Notre Dame
From: La Lumiere School (IN)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 14.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 2.6 ast, 48 FG%, 15 3P%
Haralson entered this season hoping to make a name for himself, and alongside his teammates, Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry put Notre Dame basketball on the map. However, this season has been full of ups and downs for Haralson and this Notre Dame squad. Jalen has shown out with his impressive driving and finishing skills around the basket, tremendous defensive talent and upside, and an all-around game that has NBA potential. However, the three-point shooting has been a let-down, he’s been too inconsistent to become this Notre Dame team’s true #2 scorer, and Notre Dame hasn’t been able to keep their record as clean as they and Haralson would have wanted. The upside with Haralson is apparent, and he has shown flashes of excellence, just looking for a little more consistency and improvement on the three-point jumper.
Best Performance: 20 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 8/12 FG, 0/1 3P (@ TCU)
Grade: B
16. Kingston Flemings, Guard, Houston
From: Brennan (TX)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 15.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.0 ast, 54 FG%, 44 3P%
Flemings has emerged as an absolutely elite talent in this young season and has shot up draft boards because of it. Kingston entered the season as Houston’s projected sixth man, who could provide solid production for now, but was ultimately looked at like a future star rather than a current one. However, he has flipped this entire narrative on its head, coming out of the gates being Houston’s second leading scorer and arguably their best player. Flemings is a special offensive creator, finishing around the rim with the best of them, shooting the lights out from behind the arc, being able to create for himself, and using his handle to pull up in the mid-range. Flemings has the perfect blend of talent and upside, and will be a great pick no matter where he goes in the NBA draft.
Best Performance: 21 pts, 5 ast, 8 stl, 8/13 FG, 3/4 3P (N Florida St.)
Grade: A+
15. Braylon Mullins, Guard, UConn
From: Greenfield-Central (IN)
2025–26 Season Stats: 9 G, 9.9 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.2 ast, 46 FG%, 34 3P%
Mullins has been an elite complementary piece to UConn’s veteran-led squad. Braylon has been able to carve out an important role for the Huskies, being one of the team’s best shooters, and showcasing creation skills, which showed why scouts had him in the first round of mocks pre-season. Some wondered pre-season whether or not Mullins had the ability right now to go pro after his freshman season, or if he was going to be a long-term UConn star. He has showcased that he does have the ability to be a one-and-done and immediately make an impact in the pros, but has also played off the rest of this elite UConn squad flawlessly. The talent that Mullins has is apparent, and there’s only more to come when he fills out physically, whether in college or the pros.
Best Performance: 17 pts, 5 reb, 0 ast, 6/12 FG, 3/9 3P (@ Kansas)
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Grade: A-
14. Tounde Yessoufou, Wing, Baylor
From: St. Joseph (NY)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 18.6 pts, 5.8 reb, 2.1 ast, 50 FG%, 31 3P%
Yessoufou has emerged as a star so far this season for a talented Baylor squad. The talk around Baylor right now is pretty focused on James Nnaji, the first NBA draft pick to come back to college, but don’t let the noise distract you from what Tounde Yessoufou is doing right now. Tounde has showcased his elite scoring talent, the talent some were comparing to Anthony Edwards preseason, which is a little premature, but the praise was there. He pairs this elite scoring talent with a physicality that not many have at the collegiate level, bullying defenders in the lane with his elite power-finesse combo. He is also an effective rebounder, along with his fantastic defensive instincts. He can defend anyone and score on anyone at will. The only fallouts for him are his lack of a consistent three-point shot and his somewhat lacking ability as a lead ball handler and playmaker. However, being one of the best scorers and defenders in the country will make you sought out no matter your flaws.
Best Performance: 28 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast, 8/14 FG, 3/6 3P (H Southern)
Grade: A
13. Isiah Harwell, Guard, Houston
From: Wasatch Academy (UT)
2025–26 Season Stats: 11 G, 5.1 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.2 ast, 32 FG%, 31 3P%
Harwell entered the 2025–26 college basketball season expected to be an elite shot-creating guard for an elite Houston squad, and while I believe he can still be, his start to the year has been heavily disappointing. Harwell has shown flashes of being a big guard with an elite shot creation game, but the consistency just hasn’t been there to start the year. His expected pre-season role has been replaced by fellow freshman Kingston Flemings, and it doesn’t look like Flemings will be giving up that role anytime soon. Harwell needs to improve at attacking the rim and finishing around the basket, as well as improving his consistency from beyond the arc. I still believe the talent is there for Harwell, but he has yet to impact Houston the same way we expected from him this season.
Best Performance: 20 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, 8/14 FG, 4/9 3P (H Jackson State)
Grade: D+
12. Meleek Thomas, Guard, Arkansas
From: Overtime Elite (GA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 11 G, 15.2 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.9 ast, 39 FG%, 36 3P%
Thomas has been one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country so far this season for a talented Arkansas team. He has had multiple games where he has exploded for big offensive outbursts, creating his own shot and knocking down catch & shoot opportunities. Alongside his fellow freshman teammate Darius Acuff, they have formed one of the best backcourts, and possibly the best scoring backcourt in the country, along with underrated playmaking and all-around skills from Meleek. The efficiency hasn’t been the greatest, but he has been steadily improving all year and is really now just finding his footing in this Arkansas offense. I expect him to keep improving and impacting this Arkansas team and his draft stock.
Best Performance: 28 pts, 2 reb, 0 ast, 8/16 FG, 6/10 3P (H Jackson State)
Grade: B+
11. Darius Acuff Jr, Guard, Arkansas
From: IMG Academy (FL)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 18.8 pts, 3.1 reb, 6.2 ast, 49 FG%, 44 3P%
Acuff has come into this season and really asserted himself as the #1 option for this Arkansas squad. He has showcased his elite skill set, facilitating the offense with an elite pace and creating his own shot from both inside and outside the three-point arc. As mentioned with Meleek Thomas, Acuff, and he have formed one of the best backcourts in the country, and both of them can score no matter the circumstances. A big revelation for Acuff has been his three-point shot; scouts described it as good, but he has started the season shooting it at an elite clip (44%). Even being a smaller guard, Acuff has also impressed with his physicality on both ends, and his impressive defensive rebounding. Acuff has shot up into the top 10 of big boards and hopes to lead Arkansas to a final four this season.
Best Performance: 27 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 9/15 FG, 1/3 3P (N Houston)
Grade: A
10. Brayden Burries, Guard, Arizona
From: Eleanor Roosevelt (CA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 14.0 pts, 3.2 reb, 2.3 ast, 49 FG%, 36 3P%
Burries has been an elite shot-creating guard for the top team in the nation to start the season, and he’s still improving. It’s no secret that Burries started the season poorly, shooting inefficiently from the floor, and letting that tear down his overall game. But since the home game against Auburn, the whole narrative has flipped. He has had incredible scoring outbursts and games against Alabama, Utah, and Abilene Christian, and has shown off his underrated rebounding ability, defensive maturity, and defensive instincts. He has developed an elite backcourt partnership with his point guard, Jaden Bradley, that is getting better by the day. I expect Burries to keep improving and to help Arizona contend for a national championship.
Best Performance: 28 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 11/19 FG, 5/10 3P (N Alabama)
Grade: B+
9. Koa Peat, Forward, Arizona
From: Perry (AZ)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 14.4 pts, 5.4 reb, 2.9 ast, 56 FG%, 22 3P%
Peat has been the lead man for #1 Arizona this season and has exploded onto the scene on both draft boards and NPOY contention. He showed out in his collegiate debut against Florida, and since then, he has been steadily moving up boards and into talks nobody expected pre-season. Peat has an elite frame, with great physicality that allows him to force his way anywhere he needs to in the halfcourt, while also having an elite mid-range game and footwork. He is an excellent defender who can guard multiple positions, using his excellent physicality and sneaky good passing lane instincts to impact the game. He is a good rebounder and has shown tremendous flashes of being able to create and playmake for his teammates. His three-point shot is lacking, but he more than makes up for it with his all-around elite talent. Alongside Bradley and Burries, he hopes to contend for a national championship at Arizona.
Best Performance: 30 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 11/18 FG, 0/0 3P (N Florida)
Grade: A
8. Mikel Brown Jr, Guard, Louisville
From: DME Academy (FL)
2025–26 Season Stats: 10 G, 16.6 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.1 ast, 38 FG%, 27 3P%
Brown’s season so far has been very interesting. On one hand, Brown has shown everything that made him such a highly touted prospect at a high level. He has shown his elite handle, otherworldly passing ability, difficult finishing skills against contact, and elite shotmaking from beyond the arc. While he hasn’t done this at the most efficient level, he has been consistent with his playmaking and has come up in big moments. On the other hand, Louisville has taken a couple of rough losses in out-of-conference play, Brown has dealt with a back injury, sidelining him for the last couple of games, and, as mentioned before, the lack of efficiency, especially from deep. I still believe that Louisville is an elite squad and that Brown is an elite guard, but the difficulties have been there.
Best Performance: 29 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 8/16 FG, 3/10 3P (H Kentucky)
Grade: B
7. Alijah Arenas, Guard, USC
From: Chatsworth (CA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 0 G, 0.0 pts, 0.0 reb, 0.0 ast, 00 FG%, 00 3P%
Arenas has been sidelined all season so far, but he is expected to come back soon.
Best Performance: 0 pts, 0 reb, 0 ast, 0/0 FG, 0/0 3P (N/A)
Grade: N/A
6. Chris Cenac Jr, Big, Houston
From: Link Academy (MO)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 9.0 pts, 7.4 reb, 0.5 ast, 48 FG%, 36 3P%
Cenac has been an interesting case so far for Houston this year. He came into the season with expectations to be a top 3 scorer for Houston behind Uzan and Sharp, and as a top 6 recruit was expected to be up on draft boards. This just hasn’t been what’s happened this season for Cenac, though. He has shown flashes of what scouts thought he could be, with a good ability to stretch the floor from deep, and flashes of creating his own shots out of the post. But the dominant guy that most people thought he could be just isn’t there. He has struggled to score in the post, lacking strength. He hasn’t been very good defensively, at least for Houston’s standards, struggled with his lateral quickness and not being the best rim protector around the basket. The talent with Cenac is still apparent, but he has yet to put much of it together and has lost minutes because of it.
Best Performance: 18 pts, 9 reb, 0 ast, 8/10 FG, 2/3 3P (N Auburn)
Grade: C-
5. Caleb Wilson, Forward, North Carolina
From: Holy Innocents Episcopal School (GA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 15 G, 19.3 pts, 10.9 reb, 2.7 ast, 56 FG%, 25 3P%
Wilson has been the main option for UNC this year, showcasing his elite talent and NBA upside. At the start of the season, there were questions regarding Wilson’s motor, his shot creation ability off the dribble, and his inability to shoot from beyond the arc. Wilson has solved most of these problems and with good effect. He has showcased his ability to create his own shots at a high level and has shown some of the best motor and relentlessness in his freshman class. These improvements added to his already elite skill set have made him one of the best players in the country this season. That elite skillset includes his elite defensive length, instincts, athleticism, and rebounding ability. Wilson looks to lead this team to a final four and keep improving his draft stock to possibly enter the consensus top 3 in the near future.
Best Performance: 24 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 9/11 FG, 0/1 3P (H Kansas)
Grade: A+
4. Nate Ament, Forward, Tennessee
From: Highland School (VA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 13 G, 15.2 pts, 6.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 40 FG%, 28 3P%
Ament has had an interesting first year, seeing some of the biggest ups/flashes of excellence, and some of the biggest downs in the class. Scouts described him as the clear top guy outside of the “big 3” of the class, and while he started the season off looking very much like that guy, the season hasn’t moved in a great direction for Ament. He has had struggles efficiently scoring the ball and creating separation for himself off the dribble in the half-court. One of the things he was supposed to be best at coming out of high school, his three-point jumpshot, has also been underwhelming, with him shooting at a low clip on not huge volume. He has been good with his transition play, has showcased his athleticism, and has shown a lot of great flashes on the defensive end. He has had his ups and downs, but he has still been effective and still looks to lead this Tennessee team to a final four.
Best Performance: 23 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 6/12 FG, 2/4 3P (H Northern Ken.)
Grade: C+
3. Cameron Boozer, Forward, Duke
From: Columbus (FL)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 23.0 pts, 9.8 reb, 4.2 ast, 56 FG%, 35 3P%
Boozer has come into this season and absolutely dominated all college competition so far. He is in the firm lead for the national player of the year race heading into conference play, and he is still figuring certain things out. Boozer has an incredible post presence, utilizing footwork and power to finish with a great touch around the rim. He is also very good at stretching the court and knocking down three pointers at a high volume. Boozer has also shown flashes of being able to playmake and create for his teammates and has created a great partnership with big Pat Ngongba. While he isn’t the best vertical defender, he has good hands and positioning to stay a plus on that end. Boozer is my current pick for National Player of the Year, and unless he slows down, I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
Best Performance: 35 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 13/18 FG, 2/4 3P (N Arkansas)
Grade: A+
2. Darryn Peterson, Guard, Kansas
From: Prolific Prep (CA)
2025–26 Season Stats: 5 G, 20.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.4 ast, 51 FG%, 44 3P%
Peterson, talent-wise, has been one of the best players in college basketball this season. He is an elite shot creator, uses his athleticism to be an effective defensive player and rebounder, and has a killer mentality. The only issue with Peterson is that the injuries he’s been dealing with have kept him out most of out-of-conference play, so the grade will be skewed because he just can’t impact the team as much without playing the same amount of games. His offensive game has been elite so far this year for the Jayhawks, scoring inside and out with ease, playmaking for his teammates out of the pick and roll, and using his athleticism to finish over bigger defenders at the rim. Peterson has led Kansas scoring 20+ in multiple first halves already this year, and I’m excited to see what he can do with more games back from injury.
Best Performance: 22 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 8/14 FG, 3/5 3P (@ UNC)
Grade: B+
1. AJ Dybantsa, Wing, BYU
From: Utah Prep (UT)
2025–26 Season Stats: 14 G, 23.1 pts, 7.2 reb, 3.8 ast, 59 FG%, 34 3P%
Dybantsa has been one of the best players in the country already this year, along with his classmates Boozer and Peterson. He has accepted the role as the main ball-handler and playmaker at BYU and has excelled. He has been super efficient inside the arc, finishing over defenders at the rim and being able to pull up over any defender to hit a shot in the mid-range. His playmaking for his teammates has also been apparent, with his passing being elite so far this season. He has also been a plus defender, using his length and instincts to overwhelm and contest any shooter. I’m excited to see where Dybantsa can take his BYU team as the lead scorer, and how he can keep improving his draft stock as the season roars on.
Best Performance: 33 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast, 11/13 FG, 2/3 3P (H Eastern Wash.)
Grade: A
