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20 breakout players for the 2025-26 college basketball season

It’s never too early to start looking ahead!

Check below for our list of 20 breakout players for the 2025-26 college basketball season.

Please note that players who averaged in double figures during the previous season are not eligible for this list.

In no particular order:

Jaxon Kohler, Michigan State: The Spartans need a go-to option on offense to emerge after the losses of both Jaden Akins and Jase Richardson. Kohler could be that guy. Remember: The 6-9 bruiser tallied a double-double — 17 points and 11 rebounds — in Michigan State’s Elite Eight loss to Auburn last March. 

Jeremy Fears, Michigan State: A forceful point guard in the Spartans’ traditional fast break, Fears now has to become a bonafide scoring threat for Michigan State to be near its potential apex. The 6-2 floor general only made 13 three-point shots last season as a freshman and that number has to go up as a sophomore. The Spartans need this guy to play with confidence on offense. 

Nolan Winter, Wisconsin: Greg Gard’s team was 14-3 last season in games where Winter scored in double figures. That will need to be more of a regular occurrence this season if the Badgers are going to remain in the Big Ten’s top tier. Winter’s numbers should spike in 2025-26. 

Flory Bidunga, Kansas: Bidunga averaged 11.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in four games last season where he played 25 minutes or more. That type of usage should be more of a regular occurrence this season. Like a volcano just waiting to explode, the 6-9 Bidunga should emerge into one of the Big 12’s top interior players this season as a sophomore. 

Isaiah Evans, Duke: Evans scored a combined 69 points during a four-game stretch from Feb. 17th to March 1st and fully displayed his offensive potential. With Tyrese Proctor and Kon Knueppel no longer in Durham, the 6-6 Evans should seamlessly step into the role of being the Blue Devils’ primary perimeter scoring option in 2025-26. 

Tarris Reed, UConn: Foul problems have regularly inhibited Dan Hurley’s ability to keep Reed on the floor for long stretches. If that can be rectified, the Huskies may have an All-Big East first-team caliber big man. The 6-10, 260 pound Reed averaged 14.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in games where he logged 25 minutes or more. 

Jaylin Stewart, UConn: Stewart has flirted with his breakout potential for the past two seasons, but it says here that he’ll finally become a consistent producer as a junior. Blessed with the versatility to play multiple spots on the floor, this 6-7 wing should play a plethora of different roles for the Huskies in 2025-26 as UConn eyes its third trip to the Final Four in the past four seasons. 

Jackson McAndrew, Creighton: The 6-10 McAndrew was really good last season as a freshman and he’ll be even better as a sophomore. 10 pounds heavier than he was a year ago, McAndrew should be more physically equipped to handle the rigors of college basketball in 2025-26. He averaged 11.5 points in two NCAA Tournament games last March. 

Royce Parham, Marquette: Shaka Smart is bullish on the potential of the 6-8 Parham, who averaged 5.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes last season as a freshman. The Golden Eagles’ program has had a habit over the past few years of organically developing players from within. Parham feels like he’s next in line. 

Anthony Robinson, Missouri: The unsung presence on the Tigers’ roster during last season’s run to the NCAA Tournament, Robinson’s composure, production, and efficiency are still a bit undervalued nationally. It won’t stay that way this season. The 6-3 Robinson — who averaged 9.0 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds last season while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range as a sophomore — should emerge into an All-SEC guard as a junior. 

Aiden Sherrell, Alabama: Sherrell only averaged 8.8 minutes as a freshman because the Crimson Tide had veterans up front like Cliff Omoruyi and Grant Nelson. With those players no longer in Tuscaloosa, the 6-10 Sherrell is ready to take full advantage of his expanded role in the pivot. Don’t be shocked if this guy becomes a national name by Christmas. 

Karter Knox, Arkansas: This 6-6 wing tallied a combined 35 points and 12 rebounds in the Razorbacks’ final two NCAA Tournament games last spring against St. John’s and Texas Tech respectively. Now a sophomore, Knox has all-conference caliber ability in a season where Arkansas is expected to challenge for an SEC regular season title in its second year under John Calipari. 

C.J. Cox, Purdue: The least appreciated member of the Boilers’ four returning starters could make the biggest jump in 2025-26. Cox was a steadying presence as a freshman on the perimeter last season alongside Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer as Purdue advanced to the Sweet 16. Now a sophomore, this 6-3 guard will play a key role in whether or not Purdue can reach the Final Four for the second time in the last three seasons. 

Thomas Haugh, Florida: After getting a taste of the Gators’ action over the past two seasons, Haugh is ready for a bigger bite as a junior. The 6-9 forward averaged 11.7 points and seven rebounds in six NCAA Tournament games last March as Florida won its third national title in program history. Don’t be shocked if Haugh emerges as the Gators go-to guy in 2025-26. 

Isaiah Brown, Florida: Todd Golden is bullish on Brown’s ability to make a major jump after the Gators lost their four primary guards — Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, Alijah Martin, and Denzel Aberdeen — from last season. Expect Brown to play a major role in Florida’s perimeter attack alongside both Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Princeton). 

Motiejus Krivas, Arizona: A foot injury sidelined the 7-2 Krivas after just eight games last season. Expect his return to be one of the biggest stories in the Big 12 in 2025-26. A massive physical specimen, Krivas can impact the game around the rim on both sides of the floor. A word to the wise: Don’t forget about this guy. 

Roddy Gayle, Michigan: After an inconsistent junior season, Gayle has things aligned to have the best year of his college career in 2025-26. With a trio of frontcourt transfers — Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Morez Johnson (Michigan), and Aday Mara (UCLA) — set to command a great deal of attention from each and every opponent, the 6-5 Gayle should be able to take full advantage. The Wolverines need this guy to be a consistent scorer if they’re going to challenge Purdue for a Big Ten regular season title. 

Trent Perry, UCLA: A former McDonald’s All-American, the 6-4 Perry averaged 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds last season as a freshman where he logged 15 minutes or more. His regular usage is expected to be higher this season. The Bruins need Perry to be a double-figure threat every time he takes the floor if they’re going to come close to hitting their ceiling. 

Kwame Evans, Oregon: Could the 6-10 Evans be the Ducks’ third All-Big Ten player this season along with Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle? Don’t rule it out of the realm of possibility. A physical talent with gifts from God, Evans averaged six points and 8.5 rebounds in two NCAA Tournament games last March. Flirting with a double-double on a nightly basis feels within this kid’s reach. 

Collin Chandler, Kentucky: Returning personnel is far more important than incoming personnel in college basketball and that’s why Chandler should have an excellent chance to carve out a role in the Wildcats’ deep rotation. The 6-5 guard already has a year under his belt in Mark Pope’s system and had nine points in 10 minutes in Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament win over Troy last March. Don’t be shocked if Chandler makes a jump during his second year in Lexington. 

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