Before the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season begins, Andy Katz breaks down the most impactful players from each class and the top transfers to watch.
Most impactful freshmen
1. Jordan Smith Jr., Arkansas
2. Tyran Stokes, Kansas
3. Bruce Branch III, BYU
4. Cameron Williams, Duke
5. Caleb Holt, Arizona
6. Anthony Thompson, Ohio State
7.Jason Crowe Jr., Missouri
8. Christian Collins, USC
9. Abdou Toure, Arkansas
10. Quentin Coleman, Illinois
Most impactful sophomores
1. Braylon Mullins, UConn
2. David Mirkovic, Illinois
3. Trey McKenney, Michigan
4. Thijs De Ridder, Virginia
5. Dame Sarr, Duke
6. Tounde Yessoufou, St. John’s
7. Shelton Henderson, Miami
8. Matt Able, North Carolina
9. Acaden Lewis, Miami
10. Nigel James Jr., Marquette
Most impactful juniors
1. Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt
2. Juke Harris, Tennessee
3. Ian Jackson, St. John’s
4. Flory Bidunga, Louisville
5. Robert Wright III, BYU
6. Matas Vokietaitis, Texas
7. John Mobley Jr., Ohio State
8. Boogie Fland, Florida
9. Billy Richmond III, Arkansas
10. Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
Most impactful seniors
1. Jeremy Fears Jr., Michigan State
2. Thomas Haugh, Florida
3. John Blackwell, Duke
4. Elliot Cadeau, Michigan
5. Alex Condon, Florida
6. Rueben Chinyelu, Florida
7. Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky
8. Pryce Sandfort, Nebraska
9. Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
10. Coen Carr, Michigan State
Most impactful transfers
1. John Blackwell, Duke (Wisconsin)
2. Milan Momcilovic, Kentucky (Iowa State)
3. Juke Harris, Tennessee (Wake Forest)
4. Flory Bidunga, Louisville (Kansas)
5. PJ Haggerty, Texas A&M (Kansas State)
6. Miles Byrd, Providence (San Diego State)
7. Tounde Yessoufou, St. John’s (Baylor)
8. Acaden Lewis, Miami (Villanova)
9. Stefan Vaaks, Illinois (Providence)
10. Matt Able, North Carolina (NC State)