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15 impact freshmen for the 2025-26 college basketball season

It’s never too early to start looking ahead!

Check below for our list of 25 impact freshmen for the 2025-26 college basketball season.

In no particular order:

AJ Dybantsa, BYU: The addition of the 6-9 Dybantsa is the primary reason why this is the most anticipated season in the history of the Cougars’ program. BYU has never been as nationally relevant as it is right now. That’s all because of Dybantsa, who’s firmly in the mix to be the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. 

Darryn Peterson, Kansas: The 6-6 Peterson is also in the mix to be the top overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but before that happens, he’s got some heavy lifting to do in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are coming off back-to-back double-digit loss seasons for the first time ever under Bill Self and it’s up to Peterson to get this program back to where it belongs nationally. Kansas needs Peterson to play like an All-American in 2025-26 if it’s going to return to being vintage Kansas. 

Cameron Boozer, Duke: The son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer, Cameron Boozer isn’t Cooper Flagg, but he’ll undoubtedly be one of the best players in America in 2025-26. A consistent winner throughout his basketball career, this 6-10 big man can hurt opponents both inside and out thanks to an absolutely lethal face-up game. He’s got all the requisites to have a special season in Durham. 

Nate Ament, Tennessee: Ament is one of the best long-term prospects in the 2026 class, but his short-team productivity is vital for the Vols. A 6-10 forward with a 6-11 wingspan, Ament looks like the type of basketball player that Norman Rockwell would have painted. His impact on Tennessee will ultimately determine the ceiling in Knoxville during the upcoming season.

Chris Cenac, Houston: A versatile big man who can score in a plethora of ways, Cenac will play a major role in whether or not the Cougars can get back to the Final Four for the second consecutive season. 6-10 and super skilled, Cenac can carve up defenses around the rim or by stepping away from the paint. He’s expected to be a starter up front for Houston alongside Joseph Tugler. 

Kingston Flemings, Houston: Could another freshmen be in the starting lineup for Kelvin Sampson? You better believe it. A tremendous point guard who can immediately run a team, Flemings’ arrival should allow the Cougars to use a dual floor general attack with both he and Milos Uzan. 

Caleb Wilson, North Carolina: The Tar Heels have tremendous potential up front this season and Wilson is a major reason why. A physical specimen at 6-9, Wilson’s physical attributes resemble that of an NBA power forward. Keep an eye on his rim protection, which was a major strength when he was on the AAU circuit. 

Mikel Brown, Louisville: A freak athlete with unreal size for a point guard at 6-3, Brown’s commitment was a signature addition for Pat Kelsey. He’ll be surrounded by four elite veteran shooters in Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Isaac McKneely (Virginia), Kobe Rodgers (Charleston), and Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State), which should open up plenty of driving lanes to the basket. Brown is a major reason why the Cards could challenge Duke for an ACC regular season title in 2025-26. 

Darius Acuff, Arkansas: Nobody has had more elite first-year guards than John Calipari and he’s got another one in Acuff. Expect this savvy floor general to have an immediate impact in Fayetteville thanks to his table setting ability. Acuff should greatly enhance Arkansas’ chances of competing for an SEC regular season title in its second season under Calipari. 

Koa Peat, Arizona: Bouncy and broad shouldered, the 6-8 Peat is physically ready to impact college basketball as a freshman. A legitimate double-double threat, Peat is the favorite to be the Wildcats’ starting power forward in 2025-26. He averaged 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds for Team USA in the FIBA U19 World Cup this past summer in Switzerland. 

Brayden Burries, Arizona: A walking bucket, the 6-4 Burries is a naturally gifted scorer. Armed with great physicality and a knack to do damage via penetration, Burries will add instant offense to a returning nucleus in Tucson that features Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell’Orso, and Tobe Awaka. 

Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor: Much like Keyonte George, Ja’Kobe Walter, and V.J. Edgecombe, the 6-6 Yessoufou will arrive in Waco with legitimate one-and-done potential. A physical wing with a tremendous motor, Scott Drew needs major mileage out of Yessoufou as the Bears don’t return a single player from last season’s team that lost to Duke in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Braylon Mullins, UConn: How will the Huskies replace Liam McNeeley on the perimeter? This guy! The 6-6 Mullins isn’t the same player as McNeeley, but he’s ready to be an instant starter in Storrs for Dan Hurley. A lethal shooter with intergalactic range, Mullins’ overall feel and basketball IQ are well beyond his years. 

Acaden Lewis, Villanova: Lewis was initially committed to Kentucky before opting to play on The Main Line. He’ll be a major part of Villanova’s first season under Kevin Willard as he’ll have the ball in his hands from the first day of practice. A big time offensive talent, this 6-2 lefty should be firmly in the mix to be the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2025-26. 

Daniel Jacobsen, Purdue (redshirt): Many people forget that the 7-4 Jacobsen tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in the one game he played in last year prior to suffering a season-ending injury. He’ll be a major part of the Boilers’ front court in 2025-26, which also features All-American big man Trey Kaufman-Renn (20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds) and South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff (17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds). 

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