The 2026–27 college basketball season is almost here, and the race to become the nation’s best player looks wide open. Florida forward Thomas Haugh and Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. lead a crowded group of Player of the Year contenders. Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes brings enormous upside, while transfers such as Duke’s John Blackwell and Louisville’s Flory Bidunga will have a chance to make an immediate mark.
These rankings weigh projected production, all-around impact, role, team expectations and availability. They reflect the outlook entering the season, so injuries, eligibility decisions and changing roles could move the list quickly.
1. Thomas Haugh, Florida
Haugh has the combination of production, experience and team context that makes him the early choice for the top spot. He averaged 17.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season, and returns to a Florida team expected to contend for the national title. His energy, cutting and transition play give the Gators a steady source of offense. If his three-point shooting improves, Haugh could turn a strong season into a Wooden Award campaign.
2. Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
Fears is one of the country’s most effective floor generals. He led Division I with 9.4 assists per game last season while also averaging 15.2 points. His passing makes Michigan State’s offense go, and he can pressure defenses by getting into the lane. The next step is improving his shooting efficiency. If he does, Fears has a real chance to challenge Haugh for the top individual honors.
3. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
Tanner is coming off a record-setting season for Vanderbilt, where he led the team in scoring, assists and steals. His speed and ability to change direction put constant pressure on defenders, and he has shown he can create offense without wasting possessions. Vanderbilt will rely heavily on him again. If he can carry that workload and keep the Commodores in the postseason conversation, his national profile could rise fast.
4. Tyran Stokes, Kansas
Stokes arrives at Kansas with the talent and expectations to become one of the most exciting freshmen in the country. The 6-foot-7 forward combines size, strength and ball skills, giving him several ways to attack a defense. Kansas will ask him to take on a major role early. Adjusting to the college game and managing the pressure will be the challenge, but his ceiling is among the highest on this list.
5. John Blackwell, Duke
Blackwell brings proven scoring ability to a Duke team with major expectations. He averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists at Wisconsin last season, and should have opportunities to make plays in Duke’s offense. The question is how his production changes alongside other talented players. His experience and ability to score at all three levels give him a strong case as one of the nation’s top guards.
6. Flory Bidunga, Louisville
Bidunga gives Louisville a high-impact presence around the basket. After earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors at Kansas, he transferred to a program that can build its frontcourt around his rebounding, rim protection and finishing. He can also defend in space, which makes him useful in different matchups. If his offensive game continues to grow, Bidunga could become one of the season’s most influential transfers.
7. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Krivas is one of the country’s most reliable returning big men. He started every game for Arizona’s Final Four team last season and gives the Wildcats size, rebounding and protection at the rim. His offensive role may not be as broad as some players ranked above him, but Arizona needs his presence in the paint. Consistent interior defense could make him a difference-maker in the Big 12 and the NCAA Tournament.
8. JT Toppin, Texas Tech
When healthy, Toppin is among the most productive forwards in college basketball. Before a season-ending ACL injury last year, he averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. His strength and mobility make him a difficult matchup at either frontcourt position. His ranking comes with a significant availability question: he is expected to return during the season, so his recovery timeline will shape Texas Tech’s outlook and his place in this race.
9. David Mirkovic, Illinois
Mirkovic has the passing, rebounding and scoring touch to become the hub of Illinois’ offense. As a freshman, he averaged 13.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists. With important playmakers gone, Illinois could put more of the offense in his hands. He is working back from offseason foot surgery, so his health and readiness are worth watching. If he returns to form, he could finish higher than this.
10. Alex Condon, Florida
Condon is part of the experienced Florida frontcourt that gives the Gators championship-level depth. His size and versatility allow him to score inside, rebound and contribute away from the basket. With Haugh drawing attention from defenses, Condon should find opportunities to make an impact. Florida’s title hopes will depend in part on how effectively its returning bigs share the floor and control the paint.
11. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
Chinyelu is an elite rebounder and an important defensive anchor for Florida. He averaged 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds last season, giving the Gators reliable work on the glass and a physical presence inside. His offensive game is less polished than some players on this list, but his role does not require him to carry the scoring load. Florida’s frontcourt strength starts with his ability to win possessions.
12. Robert Wright III, BYU
Wright returns to BYU after averaging 18.1 points and 4.6 assists last season. With AJ Dybantsa no longer in the lineup, Wright should have more room to create and a larger share of the offense. He is a quick, confident guard who can score and set up teammates. His production will depend on how well BYU replaces its lost scoring, but the opportunity is there for a major year.
13. Juke Harris, Tennessee
Harris arrives at Tennessee after a breakout season at Wake Forest, where he averaged 21.4 points and 6.4 rebounds. He can score in bunches and gives the Volunteers an experienced wing who can attack off the dribble. Tennessee has other scoring options, so Harris may not need the same volume of shots he had last season. If he stays efficient in a deeper lineup, he can help make the Volunteers a serious contender.
14. Jordan Smith Jr., Arkansas
Smith is one of the most anticipated freshmen in the country. The highly regarded guard joins Arkansas with a reputation as a dynamic scorer and competitor. He will need to adjust to college defenses and the speed of the game, but his talent gives him a chance to contribute early. His ranking reflects potential as well as opportunity: Arkansas will be counting on its new players to help shape the team’s identity.
15. Caleb Holt, Arizona
Holt brings two-way potential to Arizona’s lineup. The freshman wing has the size and athleticism to defend multiple positions, rebound and create offense. His summer performances showed a willingness to contribute across the stat sheet, though college shooting consistency will be an early test. If he adapts quickly, Holt could become a key player for a Wildcats team with national ambitions.
16. Thijs De Ridder, Virginia
De Ridder is an experienced forward who averaged 15.6 points and 6.2 rebounds last season. He gives Virginia a skilled scorer with international experience and a versatile offensive game. The Cavaliers will need him to remain productive as opponents focus more of their defensive attention on him. His ability to score efficiently while helping Virginia control the glass makes him one of the ACC’s leading players to watch.
17. Silas Demary Jr., UConn
Demary is a steady point guard whose value goes beyond his scoring average. He led the Big East with 5.9 assists per game last season and gives UConn a strong perimeter defender with good size for the position. The Huskies will look to him to organize the offense and keep the ball moving. If he adds more scoring while maintaining his playmaking, UConn will have one of the country’s most dependable backcourts.
18. Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
Cadeau returns to Michigan after earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. He averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 assists last season, and his experience will be especially valuable after a major coaching change. Cadeau’s ability to control tempo and create for teammates gives the Wolverines a foundation in the backcourt. Michigan will need him to lead while adjusting to a reworked roster.
19. Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky
Momcilovic joins Kentucky after an exceptional shooting season at Iowa State. He made 136 three-pointers and shot 48.7% from beyond the arc, giving the Wildcats a proven floor-spacer. His shooting can change how defenses guard Kentucky’s other players. He will also need to show he can contribute when opponents run him off the line and make him attack closeouts.
20. PJ Haggerty, Texas A&M
Haggerty is a proven scorer who should give Texas A&M an immediate offensive option. He can create his own shot and put pressure on defenders, qualities that are especially valuable when a possession breaks down. The key will be translating his scoring into efficient offense within a new team structure. If the Aggies find the right balance around him, Haggerty can become one of the SEC’s most productive guards.
21. Braden Huff, Gonzaga
Huff gives Gonzaga a polished interior scorer with the potential to anchor its frontcourt. He has shown a good touch around the basket and can make defenses account for him inside. Gonzaga will need him to stay consistent as teams focus on limiting his opportunities. His production and chemistry with the team’s guards could help keep the Bulldogs near the top of the West Coast race.
22. JoJo Tugler, Houston
Tugler brings physical defense and energy to Houston. He can protect the rim, switch onto different types of players and create extra possessions with his activity. His offensive role may be more focused on finishing and opportunistic scoring, but those contributions matter on a team built around toughness and execution. A step forward as a consistent scorer would make him even more valuable.
23. Paulius Murauskas, Arizona State
Murauskas followed coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State after averaging 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds at Saint Mary’s. He is a versatile scorer who can work inside and stretch the floor. The move puts him in the Big 12, where the size and pace of the competition will test him. If he carries over his scoring and rebounding, he could quickly become one of the conference’s standout newcomers.
24. Chance Mallory, Virginia
Mallory is a player to watch as Virginia reshapes its backcourt. His quickness and ability to handle the ball give the Cavaliers another option to create offense and push the pace. He will have to earn a larger role against experienced college defenders, but the opportunity is there in a team looking for dependable guard play. A strong start could move him up this list.
25. David Punch, Texas
Punch is a versatile forward who can fill up a box score. At TCU, he averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals, showing his value on both ends of the floor. He joins Texas with a chance to complement the team’s frontcourt and bring defensive activity. If he adapts quickly to his new role, he can help the Longhorns in a competitive SEC.
Players just outside the top 25
The next group includes more players who could force their way into the national conversation, including Braden Frager of Nebraska, Jake Hall of New Mexico, Tyler Perkins of Villanova, and Moustapha Thiam of Michigan. The first few weeks of the season will reveal which players are ready to turn preseason expectations into consistent production.
The Hoop Post’s take
The top of this ranking favors proven production and a clear role, which is why Haugh and Fears lead the way. Tanner has the individual talent to challenge them, while Stokes has the highest freshman ceiling. The biggest swing factor is availability: Toppin’s return from injury and Mirkovic’s recovery from foot surgery could reshape both their seasons and the national picture.
Who belongs higher or lower? Share your picks with The Hoop Post as the season gets underway.
