As the college basketball season begins in November 2026, twelve standout players—ranging from fifth-year veterans using new NCAA eligibility rules to elite NBA draft prospects—will shape the national competition.
- Draft Stock Volatility: Tyran Stokes and Nikola Kusturica enter the season with high expectations as potential top selections.
- Usage Rate Spikes: Players such as Tyler Tanner and John Blackwell project as major focal points for their respective teams as prolific scorers.
The offseason featured relentless eligibility battles and lucrative NIL packages that kept top-tier talent anchored to campus rather than jumping straight to the professional ranks. According to sportingnews.com, Thomas Haugh bypassed the NBA draft to return as the centerpiece for Florida, anchoring the nation’s most talented frontcourt after averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season.
Vanderbilt secured a massive victory when third-year guard Tyler Tanner withdrew from the draft pool. Yahoo Sports reported that Tanner returns as one of the nation’s most prolific scorers, having previously posted 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on 48.5 percent shooting from the field.
Tom Izzo’s Michigan State squad continues to buck modern transfer portal trends by retaining veteran leadership. Sportingnews.com noted that fourth-year senior Jeremy Fears Jr. returned to run the Spartan offense after averaging 15.2 points and 9.4 assists per game last season.
John Blackwell made a major move to Duke after averaging 19.1 points per game at Wisconsin, giving the Blue Devils a reliable perimeter scorer, as reported by sportingnews.com.
Meanwhile, Milan Momcilovic brought elite floor-spacing to Kentucky following a stellar shooting campaign at Iowa State, where he connected on 48.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. In the Pac-12, Arizona relies heavily on its international frontcourt retention, where Lithuanian center Motiejus Krivas steps into an expanded role after anchoring the defense with 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last year.
| Player | Program | Previous Key Stat Line |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Haugh | Florida | 17.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG |
| Tyler Tanner | Vanderbilt | 19.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG |
| Jeremy Fears Jr. | Michigan State | 15.2 PPG, 9.4 APG |
| John Blackwell | Duke | 19.1 PPG (at Wisconsin) |
The freshman class brings high-ceiling upside, led remarkably by 17-year-old Nikola Kusturica. Born in April 2009, the Serbian forward showcased explosive potential by erupting for 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting against North Florida for UCLA, according to sportingnews.com.
Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes enters the college game carrying potential No. 1 overall pick buzz for the 2027 NBA Draft. Yahoo Sports documented that Stokes opened his Jayhawks career with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Elsewhere, Texas Tech awaits the return of JT Toppin as he works his way back from a torn ACL suffered in February. Sportingnews.com outlined that Toppin targets a December return to anchor an otherwise guard-heavy Red Raiders rotation.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
