{"id":935291,"date":"2026-10-20T19:40:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T19:40:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/935291\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T19:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T19:40:13","slug":"2027-nba-draft-data-says-these-are-college-basketballs-top-freshmen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/935291\/","title":{"rendered":"2027 NBA Draft: Data Says These Are College Basketball’s Top Freshmen"},"content":{"rendered":"

With college basketball just a few weeks away, Evan Miyakawa<\/a> has revealed his list of the top 30 incoming college basketball players entering the 2026-27 campaign.<\/p>\n

Unlike other analysts, Miyakawa’s rankings are largely determined by data and analytics. The data expert’s rankings of incoming college basketball players included a handful of the top prospects in the 2027 NBA Draft, but had a different order than many other outlets.<\/p>\n

Miyakawa holds doctorate in statistics and has had research featured in articles by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports and other outlets.<\/p>\n

Here’s a look at Miyakawa’s top five incoming players in the nation heading into the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n

Here are the top 30 incoming players to college basketball this season, according to the new projections model at https:\/\/t.co\/Zc0pvHlJ75<\/a>: pic.twitter.com\/a2j7mmSkPV<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) October 20, 2026<\/a>5. Miles Sadler, West Virginia<\/p>\n

A freshman guard, Sadler was productive on the grassroots circuit in high school and should make an instant impact for the Mountaineers.<\/p>\n

Even if the former five-star recruit turns in a prductive freshman season, though, NBA teams will likely be concerned about the West Virginia standout’s size. Listed at 6-feet tall and 170 pounds, Sadler could end up in a similar situation to Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner.<\/p>\n

Coming out of high school, Sadler was rated the No. 19 overall player and No. 2 point guard in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.<\/p>\n

4. Dylan Mingo, Baylor<\/p>\n

Mingo joins his brother, Kayden Mingo, at Baylor after Kayden transferred from Penn State over the offseason.<\/p>\n

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, Mingo has the chance to be the Bears’ next first-round guard with a strong freshman season in Waco.<\/p>\n

Coming out of high school, Mingo was rated the No. 15 overall player and No. 3 combo guard in the 2026 cycle by 247Sports.<\/p>\n

3. Caleb Holt, Arizona<\/p>\n

Holt joins what should be another strong Wildcats’ squad that could feature multiple first-round picks in the 2027 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n

Holt will likely be the first Arizona player off the board, and has the potential to be one of the top picks in the upcoming class.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound guard was rated the No. 3 overall player and No. 1 shooting guard in the 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports.<\/p>\n

Stokes appears to be the frontrunner for top pick in the 2027 draft entering the 2026-26 season.<\/p>\n

Listed at 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, Stokes has impressive physical traits that should set him apart in what is expected to be a weaker draft class.<\/p>\n

Stokes was rated the No. 1 overall player and No. 1 small forward in the 2026 cycle by 247Sports.<\/p>\n

1. Jordan Smith Jr., Arkansas<\/p>\n

Smith is in line to be the next John Calipari-coached guard prospect, following an impressive lineage of players that includes multiple NBA MVPs and a handful of All-Stars.<\/p>\n

Smith is the most highly touted of an impressive 2026 recruiting class for the Razorbacks, rated the No. 2 overall player and No. 1 combo guard in the nation.<\/p>\n

Derek Parker of NBA Draft on SI paired Smith with the Houston Rockets at No. 3 overall in his first projection of the 2027 NBA Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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