This list does not include incoming freshmen.
Projecting college basketball players is never easy, especially with so much movement through the transfer portal every offseason. Still, this is my prediction of who will be the top 40 returning players of the 2026-27 season.
40. Derrion Reid – Oklahoma
A former five-star recruit, Reid has the physical tools to become a versatile two-way forward and could thrive in a larger offensive role.
39. Ian Jackson – St. John’s
Jackson is one of the most explosive scorers in the country and has the athleticism to take over games when he gets hot.
38. Matas Vokietaitis – Texas
The skilled big man has excellent touch around the basket and could emerge as one of the Big 12’s most productive centers.
37. Matt Able – North Carolina
Able enters college with one of the highest ceilings in the freshman class thanks to his smooth scoring ability and defensive versatility.
36. Moustapha Thiam – Michigan
Few players impact the game defensively like Thiam, whose length and shot-blocking instantly change possessions.
35. Andrej Stojakovic – Illinois
A gifted scorer with NBA-level shot-making ability, Stojakovic should flourish with a featured offensive role.
34. Coen Carr – Michigan State
Carr’s elite athleticism makes him one of the nation’s most exciting players, and continued offensive growth could unlock another level.
33. Xavier Booker – UCLA
Booker’s combination of size, shooting, and skill has always been intriguing, and a fresh start could bring out his full potential.
32. Dame Sarr – Duke
Sarr has outstanding positional size for a wing and possesses the versatility to contribute on both ends of the floor.
31. Billy Richmond – Arkansas
Richmond is a powerful wing who continues to improve as a playmaker while bringing toughness every night.
30. Nikolas Khamenia – UConn
Khamenia’s feel for the game and all-around offensive skill set should make him a major piece for the Huskies.
29. Boogie Fland – Florida
One of the quickest guards in college basketball, Fland creates offense for both himself and his teammates.
28. Juke Harris – Tennessee
Harris is an aggressive scorer with excellent physical tools and the upside to become one of the SEC’s breakout stars.
27. Tounde Yessoufou – St. John’s
Yessoufou plays with relentless energy and brings a powerful downhill attacking style that is difficult to contain.
26. Elliot Cadeau – Michigan
One of the nation’s best passers, Cadeau controls tempo and consistently creates high-quality shots for teammates.
25. Cayden Boozer – Duke
Boozer’s poise, basketball IQ, and ability to run an offense make him one of the country’s most polished young guards.
24. Paul McNeil Jr. – NC State
McNeil is a natural scorer with deep shooting range and the confidence to deliver in big moments.
23. Braylon Mullins – UConn
One of the premier shooters in the country, Mullins stretches defenses and projects as an immediate impact player.
22. Johann Grunloh – Virginia
The talented German big man offers impressive rim protection while continuing to develop offensively.
21. Tomislav Ivisic – Illinois
Ivisic’s combination of size, passing, and perimeter shooting makes him one of the most unique frontcourt players in college basketball.
20. Miles Byrd – Providence
Byrd impacts winning on both ends with his perimeter defense, length, and improving offensive game.
19. Rueben Chinyelu – Florida
A relentless rebounder and interior defender, Chinyelu provides toughness and efficiency in the paint.
18. Malachi Moreno – Kentucky
Moreno has tremendous instincts as a shot blocker and rebounder while continuing to expand his offensive skill set.
17. Trey McKenney – Michigan
McKenney has the strength and scoring ability to become one of the Big Ten’s most difficult guards to defend.
16. Amari Allen – Alabama
Allen is an explosive athlete whose ability to score from multiple levels gives him enormous upside.
15. JT Toppin – Texas Tech
Already one of the nation’s most productive forwards, Toppin fills the stat sheet with scoring, rebounding, and physical defense.
14. Zvonimir Ivisic – Illinois
A rare seven-footer who can protect the rim and stretch the floor, Ivisic creates difficult matchup problems.
13. Ivan Kharchenkov – Arizona
Kharchenkov combines size, skill, and shot creation, giving Arizona another potential star on the wing.
12. JoJo Tugler – Houston
Tugler is arguably the country’s best defensive forward, capable of guarding multiple positions while dominating the glass.
11. David Mirkovic – Illinois
Mirkovic is an exceptionally skilled forward with advanced scoring instincts and the versatility to play inside or out.
10. Flory Bidunga – Louisville
One of college basketball’s premier defensive anchors, Bidunga changes games with elite rim protection and relentless energy.
9. Alex Condon – Florida
Condon does everything well, from defending multiple positions to passing, rebounding, and finishing efficiently.
8. Davis Fogle – Gonzaga
Fogle has developed into one of the nation’s most complete offensive players, capable of scoring in a variety of ways.
7. Motiejus Krivas – Arizona
If healthy, Krivas has All-American potential thanks to his size, touch, rebounding, and interior dominance.
6. Patrick Ngongba – Duke
Ngongba possesses elite two-way potential with the strength, mobility, and defensive instincts to anchor Duke’s frontcourt.
5. Thomas Haugh – Florida
Haugh’s versatility makes him one of the most valuable players in the country, contributing as a scorer, rebounder, defender, and playmaker.
4. Milan Momcilovic – Kentucky
Momcilovic is one of the nation’s best shooting forwards, and his expanding all-around game gives him legitimate All-American upside.
3. Jeremy Fears Jr. – Michigan State
Fears is the engine that makes Michigan State go, combining elite leadership, defense, and playmaking with improving offensive production.
2. Pryce Sandfort – Nebraska
Sandfort is one of college basketball’s most dangerous offensive weapons, capable of putting up points from anywhere on the floor while impacting the game as a rebounder and passer.
1. Tyler Tanner – Vanderbilt
Tanner earns the top spot because of his complete offensive package, high basketball IQ, and ability to influence every aspect of the game. He has the talent to emerge as one of the best players in the country and lead Vanderbilt to a special season.
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