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15 players who will become stars during the 2025-26 college basketball season

It’s never too early to start looking ahead!

Check below for our list of 15 players who will become stars during the 2025-26 college basketball season.

In no particular order:

Isaiah Evans, Duke: It will be a major surprise if Evans doesn’t explode like a volcano in 2025-26. With Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel no longer in Durham to command most of the minutes on the Blue Devils’ perimeter, the door is officially open for this 6-6 wing to prosper. Remember: Evans averaged 17.3 points over a four-game stretch last season in mid-February when his minutes were amplified. 

Eric Dailey, UCLA: The 6-8 Dailey was a major part of the Bruins’ revival a year ago. In 2025-26, expect him to boast All-Big Ten caliber ability. Tough, physical, and deceptively skilled, this versatile forward can punish opponents either inside or out. In five games last season where he logged 30 minutes or more, Dailey averaged 17.6 points and 5.4 rebounds. 

Christian Anderson, Texas Tech: Anderson was really good as a freshman, but he’s going to be even better as a sophomore. The 6-2 guard struggled in the NCAA Tournament, but had 22 points in the Red Raiders come from behind win over Arkansas in the Sweet 16. Don’t be shocked if Anderson is an All-Big 12 first-team player at the end of the 2025-26 season. 

Chase Ross, Marquette: The Golden Eagles are 27-5 over the past three seasons when Ross scores in double figures. That will have to be a common occurrence in 2025-26 if Marquette is going to return to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in five seasons under Shaka Smart. With Kam Jones, Stevie Mitchell, and David Joplin no longer in Milwaukee, the Golden Eagles need Ross to perform like an All-Big East caliber player. 

LaBaron Philon, Alabama: Philon’s decision to return to the Crimson Tide late in the NBA Draft process immediately changed the ceiling for the Crimson Tide in 2025-26. He’ll form a potent perimeter combo with Aden Holloway, who like Philon should be exponentially better in his second season under Nate Oats. Armed with great size at 6-4, Philon just needs to improve his consistency in an effort to be mentioned among the best guards in college basketball. 

Ian Jackson, St. John’s: The most talented player in the Big East? Quite possibly. Jackson averaged 18.0 points last season at North Carolina in games where he logged 25 minutes or more. Now a linchpin in Rick Pitino’s attack at St. John’s, this 6-4 guard will control the ceiling for the Red Storm in 2025-26. As Jackson goes, so will St. John’s.

Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn: The lone returnee of significance from last season’s run to the Final Four, Pettiford will have the keys to the Tigers’ car as a sophomore. A likely preseason All-American, the 5-11 lefty saves his best for the biggest stages, as evidenced by his performance during March Madness where he averaged 15.2 points in five games during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. 

Seth Trimble, North Carolina: The only returning starter from last season’s Tar Heels squad that reached the NCAA Tournament and lost to Ole Miss in the Round of 64, Trimble should boast All-ACC first-team ability this season. Strong, sturdy, and super talented, this 6-3 guard needs to perform at an all-conference level for North Carolina to remain at the top of the ACC standings. He averaged 11.6 points and 5.0 rebounds last season as a junior. 

Miles Byrd, San Diego State: Byrd’s decision to return to school after going through the NBA Draft process immediately put the Aztecs in the discussion to be one of the sport’s best non-power conference teams this season. He’ll instantly benefit from the return of a healthy Reese Waters, who missed all of last season due to injury after averaging 9.6 points in 2023-24. It says here that the 6-7 Byrd — who averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists last season — will be firmly in the mix for Mountain West Player of the Year honors in 2025-26. 

Josh Hubbard, Mississippi State: Is it an oversight or an insult? The 5-11 Hubbard has averaged 18.0 points through his first two seasons of college basketball, but is rarely mentioned when people discuss the best guards in the SEC. If the Bulldogs can find their way to the top tier of the conference standings, more respect for Hubbard will soon follow. Mississippi State has played in three NCAA Tournaments in three years under Chris Jans. 

Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State: The Spartans need someone to emerge as a go-to scoring option following the departures of both Jase Richardson and Jaden Akins. Kohler could be that guy. Things are very much aligned for this 6-9 senior to become an interior focal point for Michigan State, who won the Big Ten regular season title a year ago. Remember: Kohler had a double-double — 17 points and 11 rebounds — and was the Spartans’ best player in their Elite Eight loss to Auburn. 

Solo Ball, UConn: Dan Hurley predicted that Ball would make a major jump as a sophomore. As a junior, this 6-3 lefty should be firmly in the mix to be the Big East Player of the Year. Ball should also get more attention for his three-point shooting prowess. He made 99 three-point shots last season while shooting an astronomical 41.4 percent from long distance. 

John Mobley, Ohio State: There weren’t many freshmen in the sport last season as productive as the 6-4 Mobley, who averaged 13.0 points and made 77 three-point shots in his first year of college basketball. A sophomore jump would likely help the Buckeyes return to March Madness, a place they haven’t been since 2022. Look for Mobley, Bruce Thornton, and Devin Royal to form one of the more potent perimeters in the Big Ten. 

Donnie Freeman, Syracuse: Freeman’s production as a freshman essentially occurred in obscurity since he missed approximately half of last season due to a foot injury. If Syracuse returns to national relevance this season, the 6-9 Freeman will instantly become a national name. Blessed with gifts from God physically, Freeman tallied five games last season with at least 15 points and 10 rebounds in just 14 outings. Remember the name. 

John Blackwell, Wisconsin: John Tonje’s All-American season took some attention from Blackwell a year ago, but don’t expect that to happen again in 2025-26. After flirting with the NBA Draft process this past spring, the 6-4 Blackwell opted to return to school and is primed to have his best season yet. Remember: He averaged 20.0 points and five rebounds in two NCAA Tournament games last March. 

Leftovers