Top Freshmen in College Basketball (2025-26)

The following post features the top freshmen in college basketball (2025-26).

In college basketball, certain freshmen players can have a huge impact. Tracking the top freshmen is key if your goal is to make smart wagers and have a winning NCAAB season.

Read: Best Power Forwards in College Basketball

Related: Best Shooting Guards in College Basketball

Some schools have a five-star recruit capable of singlehandedly turning around an entire program. These are the freshmen you need to know about when betting on college basketball.

So, who are the top freshmen in 2025-26? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

The 2024–25 college basketball season was defined by one of the most talented freshman classes in recent memory.

Headlining the group was Cooper Flagg, who lived up to the hype at Duke by sweeping national player of the year honors, leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four, and cementing himself as the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft.

Rutgers, meanwhile, became must-watch basketball thanks to the arrival of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. The duo gave the program a major jolt and both ended up as top-five picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.

VJ Edgecombe rounded out the class with a strong two-way showing at Baylor, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors and being drafted 3rd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.

How the Rankings Work

The rankings for top freshmen in college basketball are determined by evaluating each player’s skills, physical attributes, and potential impact on the college level. Key services like 247Sports, Rivals, ESPN, and On3 use their own unique criteria, including athleticism, basketball IQ, scoring ability, and versatility, to assign a star rating.

Players who are ranked as five-stars are considered future NBA prospects who are expected to make an immediate impact on their college teams. Each service conducts regular updates to their rankings based on performance in high school games, tournaments, and camps.

Top Freshmen in College Basketball (2025-26)

In order by rating, here are the top 20 freshmen in college basketball (according to 247Sports) for the 2025-26 season:

Conclusion

In conclusion, identifying the top freshmen is critical when betting on college basketball. Keeping tabs on these players (and their teams) will help you stay on the winning side.