Ranking top players in college basketball before conference tournaments

Before former Duke forward Cooper Flagg won the Wooden Award in 2025, an upperclassman had earned the honor in six consecutive seasons. Fellow Duke forward Zion Williamson was the last true freshman national player of the year before Flagg, which was in 2018-19.

The 2025-26 freshman class in college basketball has been dominant again this season and appears well on its way to producing another young Wooden Award winner. The 2026 NBA Draft class appears to be stacked as a result.

Many teams are relying on young players heading into conference championship week, where NCAA Tournament seeding is on the line.

Here’s a look at the top-10 ranked players in men’s college basketball heading into conference tournaments:

Ranking top 10 players in men’s college basketball

1. F AJ Dybantsa, BYU

Dybantsa is already a pro-level scorer, as he leads the country averaging 25.1 points per game on wild efficiency, shooting 53.2% from the field.

The 6-9 forward has taken his game to another level since Richie Saunders suffered a season-ending injury for BYU. Dybantsa has scored 29 or more points in his last three outings since Saunders went down, including a 35-point performance in BYU’s loss to Arizona and a near-triple double in a win over Iowa State.

Dybantsa is making a strong case to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and has faced tougher competition this season than Cameron Boozer in the Big 12, giving him the nod for now.

2. F Cameron Boozer, Duke

It was a close call between Duke forward Cameron Boozer and Dybantsa, but it doesn’t diminish Boozer’s chances of being the national player of the year this season.

Boozer is putting up similarly efficient numbers this season, averaging 22.7 points with 10.7 rebounds and four assists per game on 58.3% shooting. The 6-foot-9 forward is also shooting 40.8% from 3-point range and averaging 1.7 steals per contest, making him maybe the most well-rounded player nationally right now.

3. G Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas

John Calipari continues to churn out high-level true freshman guards, and Darius Acuff Jr. is the latest. The 6-foot-3 guard is averaging 22.2 points with 3.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game this season on 49.9% shooting and is leading an offense that ranks fourth nationally in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency.

Acuff Jr. had one of the best performances in recent memory – albeit in a loss – against Alabama, dropping 49 points with five rebounds and five assists on 16-of-27 shooting in the double-overtime game. He has scored 20 or more points in nine consecutive games and in 12 of the Razorbacks’ 15 SEC games.

4. G Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, among the favorites to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft along with Dybantsa, comes in at No. 4 only because of his availability at times this season.

While Peterson played 30 or more minutes in back-to-back games for only the third time this season in Kansas’ latest games against Cincinnati and Houston, he has missed 11 total games and a ton of minutes for the Jayhawks as he has dealt with a myriad of injuries and cramps. His talent is clear when he’s on the court, though.

The 6-6 guard is averaging 19.5 points per game this season despite playing limited minutes in numerous games. He scored 26 points in only 23 minutes against Baylor and dropped 32 on TCU in an overtime win despite playing 32 minutes.

5. F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg can do a bit of everything for Michigan, perhaps the national championship favorite.

The 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 14.2 points with 7.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season on 49.6% shooting, and also chips in 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest. He can also handle the ball and limits fouls and turnovers, averaging fewer than two each per game.

Lendeborg was one of the top available transfers in the offseason, and he has played like it for the Wolverines.

6. G Braden Smith, Purdue

Four-year Purdue starting guard Braden Smith might not be in contention for national player of the year anymore like he was entering the season, but he’s still among the best and most-experience players in college basketball.

Smith needs 72 assists to break Bobby Hurley’s all-time assists record of 1,076, which was set from 1990-93. He became the fifth player to ever reach 1,000 career assists in Purdue’s loss to Michigan State on Feb. 26.

Smith is averaging 14.8 points with 3.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game this season and is also shooting 40.5% from 3-point range on 4.3 attempts. He’ll be very important to Purdue’s chances at an NCAA Tournament run.

7. F Caleb Wilson, North Carolina

The fifth true freshman on this list, Caleb Wilson will also hear his name called early in the 2026 NBA Draft after a strong first college season. The 6-10 forward is averaging 19.8 points with 9.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season on 57.8% shooting.

Wilson had scored 20 or more points in five of his past six games before fracturing his wrist against Miami on Feb. 10, although he expects to return for North Carolina’s final regular season game against Duke on March 7.

If Wilson looks like himself upon returning, he’d give North Carolina a massive boost.

8. G Christian Anderson, Texas Tech

Christian Anderson scored 22 points in Texas Tech’s Sweet 16 win over Arkansas last season as a true freshman, offering a glimpse into his future. He has made a huge jump this season, averaging 19.6 points with 3.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game his season on 49% shooting and a 43.9% mark from 3-point range.

Unfortunately for Texas Tech, star forward JT Toppin suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the Red Raiders’ loss to Arizona State on Feb. 17. Anderson has picked up the slack since, though, scoring 21 points with 10 assists in a win over Kansas State before pouring in 21 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists in a win over Cincinnati.

Losing Toppin lowers Texas Tech’s ceiling in March Madness, unless Anderson has yet another level to his game.

9. Labaron Philon, Alabama

Like Anderson, Philon was a solid player at Alabama last season as a true freshman, but has taken his game up a notch in 2026.

The 6-3 sophomore became Alabama’s go-to scorer this season after Mark Sears left, averaging 21.6 points with 3.3 rebounds and five assists per game. The projected lottery pick also improved his 3-point percentage from 31.5% a year ago to 38.7% this season.

Alabama and coach Nate Oats run a high-tempo offense that keeps defenses on their heels. Philon is a hot streak away from leading the Crimson Tide on another run in March Madness.

10. F Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State

Joshua Jefferson started his career at St. Mary’s before transferring to Iowa State, where he has turned into one of the more underrated players in college basketball. The 6-9 senior does a bit of everything for national championship contender Iowa State, averaging 16.6 points with 7.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

The Cyclones’ offense runs through Jefferson, one of the best passing big men this season. He can also shoot, with a 36.1% mark from 3-point range on three attempts per game.

Jefferson sneaks into the top-10 rankings over a slew of other worthy players, thanks to his wide-ranging impact on one of the nation’s best teams this season.

• Just missed list: Bennett Stirtz (Iowa), Kingston Flemings (Houston), Keaton Wagler (Illinois), Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), Keyshawn Hall (Auburn), Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt)