Jeff BorzelloCloseJeff BorzelloBasketball recruiting insiderJeff Borzello is a basketball recruiting insider. He has joined ESPN in 2014.Follow on XPaul BiancardiClosePaul BiancardiBasketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of coaching experience at Division I level Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright StateFollow on XOct 20, 2025, 09:15 AM ET
play0:17Jayden Quaintance throws down a big dunkJayden Quaintance gets the ball and finishes with a two-handed slam
play1:56Ian Jackson’s best plays of the seasonTake a look at Ian Jackson’s top moments with UNC this past season after news of his transfer to St. John’s.
play1:58Xaivian Lee’s top plays of the 2024-25 seasonCheck out Xaivian Lee’s top plays of the 2024-25 season as the Princeton standout transfers to the University of Florida.
Hoop stars shine on Day 2 of 2026 SEC Tipoff (2:38)The second day of SEC Basketball Media Days brings big personalities and confident predictions as they compete for the top of the leaderboard at the SEC Network arcade. (2:38)
Jayden Quaintance throws down a big dunkJayden Quaintance gets the ball and finishes with a two-handed slam
Ian Jackson’s best plays of the seasonTake a look at Ian Jackson’s top moments with UNC this past season after news of his transfer to St. John’s.
Take a look at Ian Jackson’s top moments with UNC this past season after news of his transfer to St. John’s.
Xaivian Lee’s top plays of the 2024-25 seasonCheck out Xaivian Lee’s top plays of the 2024-25 season as the Princeton standout transfers to the University of Florida.
Check out Xaivian Lee’s top plays of the 2024-25 season as the Princeton standout transfers to the University of Florida.
play0:18Yaxel Lendeborg throws down the hammerYaxel Lendeborg throws down the hammer
Roman Siulepa, G/F (Intl.), and Omari Witherspoon, G (Fr.), Pittsburgh
Given the increasing lack of continuity in college basketball, projecting the first-year impact of newcomers is more difficult than ever. Freshmen have always been volatile, but that’s especially true now that they are four to five years younger than many of the upperclassmen they are up against. And though transfers are perceived to be more of a sure thing, there is no guarantee their production will carry over from one program to the next.
The following ranking of impact newcomers isn’t a mock draft, nor is it a rehash of the 2025 recruiting or transfer rankings. It is weighted almost entirely on expected impact during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
To come up with this list, we spoke with college coaches and NBA scouts, looked at box scores of exhibition games and “secret” scrimmages, and projected rotations and roles for hundreds of newcomers. Still, it very much remains an inexact science.
With that said, here are the top 50 newcomers we’re expecting to have the biggest impact over the next five months, plus 16 more to watch.
Note: Freshmen are marked “Fr.,” transfers are marked “T,” and international players are marked “Intl.”
Peterson’s poise and approach to the game are beyond his years. As a combination guard, his calling card is operating in ball screens and reading back-line defensive coverages. He has some similarities to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, like getting to his spots to score or make plays. Peterson will have an opportunity for huge on-ball usage in Lawrence and, along with AJ Dybantsa, is a front-runner to be the No. 1 NBA draft pick in 2026. — Paul Biancardi
The highest-ranked recruit to attend BYU, Dybantsa possesses athletic ability akin to Tracy McGrady and the potential of Paul George. Dybantsa is an eye-popping finisher, a high-level switchable defender and an underrated accurate — and willing — passer. He is in the conversation for the No. 1 pick in 2026. — Biancardi
One of the best NBA draft prospects in the portal last year, Lendeborg returned to college despite having first-round projections. He averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists at UAB last season, and all signs point to Dusty May deploying Lendeborg in creative ways on the offensive end. — Jeff Borzello
Yaxel Lendeborg throws down the hammerYaxel Lendeborg throws down the hammer
Dent should transform UCLA’s offense. One of college basketball’s elite point guards, he is impossible to keep out of the paint. He was inside the nation’s top 15 in scoring and assists last season, averaging 20.4 points and 6.4 assists while finishing the season on a tear for New Mexico with 21 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Marquette. — Borzello
Williams committing to NC State was a huge late portal splash, giving the Wolfpack a legitimate cornerstone to build Will Wade’s first roster in Raleigh around. Williams can do everything on the offensive end and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season at Texas Tech. — Borzello
Brown is one of the most skilled guards in the country, with perimeter shooting reminiscent of Trae Young when it comes to a quick release, deep range and accuracy. Pat Kelsey is going to put the ball in Brown’s hands and has surrounded him with shooters and scorers, allowing Brown to control the pace of the action and create scoring opportunities while putting points on the board. — Biancardi
Stirtz followed Ben McCollum to the coach’s third school after playing for McCollum at Northwest Missouri State and Drake. As a result, expect Stirtz to have the ball in his hands for long stretches every possession. It has worked incredibly well so far. He was Missouri Valley Player of the Year last season. — Borzello
At 6-foot-10 with advanced perimeter ball skills, Ament has one of the highest upsides in the incoming freshman class. He gives the Volunteers great versatility as a big wing or a skilled stretch forward. Ament is a fluid shooter whether he’s spotting up or on the move, and he’s the best candidate to break up the Dybantsa-Peterson-Boozer hegemony at the top of the 2026 draft. — Biancardi
After two significantly productive seasons at Tulsa then Memphis, Haggerty landed in a spot where he should be able to put up massive numbers. He was one of the best guards in the country last season, winning AAC Player of the Year and earning second-team All-America honors after averaging 21.7 points. — Borzello
Gillespie is at his third school, starting his career at Belmont before transferring to Maryland, where he solidified himself as one of the country’s premier point guards. He averaged 14.7 points and 4.8 assists last season while shooting nearly 41% from 3 and will immediately step in to replace Zakai Zeigler. — Borzello
Hopkins hasn’t played a full season since 2022-23 because of injuries, but a fully healthy Hopkins is a force in the Big East. He was a first-team All-Big East selection as a sophomore and averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in 14 games the last time we saw him at 100%. He and Zuby Ejiofor could be dominant for the Red Storm. — Borzello
Pat Kelsey needed scoring and shooting in the portal, and Conwell was among the premier players in those categories this past spring. He was a third-team All-Big East selection after averaging 16.5 points and shooting better than 41% from 3. He and Mikel Brown Jr. will form a truly elite backcourt for the Cardinals. — Borzello
Yessoufou has a combination of explosiveness and power to go with his developing skill set. He plays a downhill attacking game with consistent high energy. He draws fouls and his 3-point shot has made strides since the McDonald’s All American game. He has the highlight-reel potential of Anthony Edwards. — Biancardi
Fland didn’t take long to commit to the reigning national champion Gators after withdrawing from the NBA draft — a much-needed development for Todd Golden’s team. Fland suffered a hand injury midway through last season, but the former five-star prospect was having a terrific freshman campaign at Arkansas, averaging 15.1 points and 5.7 assists over the first 18 games. — Borzello
It won’t be long until both these players are wearing NBA jerseys. De Ridder is technically an undrafted free agent after going through the 2025 draft process. The 22-year-old averaged 9.3 points in Spain’s top division last season. The 7-foot Grunloh is a big-time shot blocker and has been productive at the club level in the Basketball Bundesliga and on the international circuit with Germany’s U16 and U18 age groups. — Borzello
Peat is physically imposing at 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds, defending rebounds, screens and scores with productivity. With a résumé that features four consecutive state championships in high school, he is a fierce competitor who will bring leadership, and he could emerge as the Wildcats’ top scorer. — Biancardi
Quaintance may have ranked even higher if he was fully healthy, but the Arizona State transfer tore his right ACL late last season and isn’t 100% yet. That said, he is a potential lottery pick due to his activity on the defensive end of the floor. He was also the youngest player in college basketball last season and is only 18 years old. — Borzello
Jayden Quaintance gets the ball and finishes with a two-handed slam
Wilson’s high-level athletic ability and versatile skill set will give Hubert Davis the ability to use different lineups throughout the season. The offseason buzz coming out of Chapel Hill is that Wilson has been looking extremely sharp in workouts and practices, while also bringing a level of personality not often seen from freshmen. — Biancardi
A scoring guard who is reminiscent of Damian Lillard at the same stage, Acuff will be relied upon heavily as a shot creator and playmaker. He has the talent to put up big numbers or be a crunch-time performer. He has been a high-usage player throughout his development and has the experience to handle pressure. — Biancardi
There is not a better jump shooter among the incoming freshman class than Mullins. He plays with intensity, reads the hard closeout and is adept at driving the ball straight to the basket. A high-percentage free throw shooter and a zone buster, he gives UConn a consistent perimeter threat. — Biancardi