Top College Basketball Stars Poised to Shine in 2025-26 Season

College basketball has been buzzing with excitement these past few days. With the new season on the horizon, fans are watching the shifts in power among the top programs, as high-profile roster returns and elite newcomers reshape the national landscape. According to ESPN, the conversation starts with BYU, where all eyes are on A.J. Dybantsa. This 6-foot-10 phenom, widely considered a frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft, brings versatility and athleticism to a Cougars team that’s coming off a Sweet 16 run, their best since the Jimmer Fredette era. The hype is so intense that even Hollywood producers are knocking, hoping to document the ride as Kevin Young and his staff look to capitalize on this momentum.

Meanwhile, the race to be the top pick in the 2026 NBA draft is already making headlines. ESPN reports that alongside Dybantsa, names like Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer, and Tennessee’s Nate Ament are in the early mix. Speaking of Tennessee, Chaz Lanier has been among the nation’s scoring leaders, posting a 24.5-point average during March Madness earlier this year, according to 247Sports.

Roster stability has become a premium in this new era of college hoops, with the transfer portal and NIL money keeping big names on campus. CBS Sports points out that this is especially true at Florida, where star coach Todd Golden brings back a frontcourt that is the envy of nearly every coach in the country. Alex Condon passed up the NBA draft for another run, and breakout star Tommy Haugh returns as well, fueling hope for a repeat run deep into March.

On the statistical front, Villanova’s Eric Dixon stands as the top scorer so far this season, averaging 23.3 points per game according to ESPN’s stat leaders. NAU’s Trent McLaughlin and Memphis’ PJ Haggerty are close behind, while GONZAGA’s guards dominate in assists, and NAU’s dominance on the boards continues.

With just over three months until tip-off for the 2025-26 season, there is no shortage of stories to track—rising stars, returning legends, and ambitious programs hungry for glory. Thanks for tuning in, and make sure to subscribe for all the latest. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.