The way-too-early Top 25 for 2025-26 is started to settle as the flow of transfer commitments begins to slow down and rosters continue to fill up. The next step is to watch for which borderline NBA Draft prospects who tested the water will withdraw before the May 28 deadline.
Before getting into the top contenders next season, there are some rules to the exercise which must be noted. Some teams, players and coaches still have decisions to make before the tip off, so the list is always in flux. Here are the guidelines you need to know:
- All NBA Draft decisions will not be made for the player. They are considered back unless they currently ranked inside the Top 25 of On3’s current NBA Draft Big Board. Any other decisions will be accounted for when the player announces their plan moving forward.
- There are still a number of players whose eligibility for next season remains in question. Waivers and senior decisions will shape the final roster. At the moment, those expected to run out of eligibility are out, but could return if granted another year.
- Teams without a full rotation of returning and incoming players at the time of ranking were not considered. They will be added into the mix after adding to the roster on the recruiting trail or through the transfer portal.
These rankings will continue to be updated as rosters shift throughout the offseason, with many roster changes already confirmed. Here is a way-too-early look at what the Top 25 rankings could look like in the 2025-26 season.
1. Houston
Key returns: Emanuel Sharp, JoJo Tugler, Milos Uzan
Key additions: Chris Cenac, Kingston Flemings, Isiah Harwell, Pop Isaacs*, Kalifa Sakho*
Key departures: Terrance Arceneaux, LJ Cryer, Ja’Vier Francis, J’Wan Roberts, Mylik Wilson
The key name to watch during the NBA Combine and other workouts this month is Milos Uzan. The Houston point guard is currently projected as a second-round pick if he remains in the draft.
2. Duke
Key returns: Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, Patick Ngongba
Key additions: Cameron Boozer, Cayden Boozer, Cedric Coward*, Nikolas Khamenia
Key departures: Cooper Flagg, Sion James, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Tyrese Proctor
Duke has already announced the return of Isaiah Evans for next season, but his name did appear on the list of early entrants for the NBA Draft and received an invite to the combine. Meanwhile, transfer commit Cedric Coward has a chance to impress teams and speed up his professional route.
3. Purdue
Key returns: CJ Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith
Key additions: Oscar Cluff*, Omer Meyer, Liam Murphy*
Key departures: Myles Colvin
Purdue got all its business taken care of with potential NBA Draft entries, bringing back Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn without seeing them test the water. The Boilermakers can now enjoy a relaxing month compared to others.
4. Kentucky
Key returns: Brandon Garrison, Otega Oweh
Key additions: Denzel Aberdeen*, Mo Dioubate*, Andrija Jelavic, Jasper Johnson, Jaland Lowe*, Malachi Moreno, Jayden Quaintance*, Kam Williams*
Key departures: Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson, Amari Williams
While Otega Oweh and Jaland Lowe are both getting feedback from the NBA this month, there remains optimism that Kentucky can make both a part of their 2025-26 rotation. Oweh is the one to watch closely, as he currently holds stock somewhere in the second round.
5. Auburn
Key returns: Tahaad Pettiford
Key additions: Abdul Bashir*, Elyjah Freeman*, Keyshawn Hall*, Kaden Magwood, KeShawn Murphy*, Kevin Overton*, Sebastian Williams-Adams
Key departures: Chad Baker-Mazara, Johni Broome, Chaney Johnson, Denver Jones, Miles Kelly
Auburn fans watch as point guard Tahaad Pettiford goes through the NBA Draft process as a projected second-round pick. While another college season makes sense, the potential for a first-round promise could always change the outlook.
6. St. John’s
Key returns: Zuby Ejiofor
Key additions: Dylan Darling*, Bryce Hopkins*, Ian Jackson*, Dillon Mitchell*, Joson Sanon*, Oziyah Sellers*
Key departures: Brady Dunlap, RJ Luis, Kadary Richmond, Aaron Scott, Deivon Smith, Simeon Wilcher
After committing to St. John’s, Joson Sanon is still part of the pre-draft process as he receives feedback. Meanwhile, RJ Luis will do the same while in the transfer portal waiting to address his future if the college route proves more appealing.
7. Iowa State
Key returns: Joshua Jefferson, Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic
Key additions: Jamarion Batemon, Blake Buchanan*, Eric Mulder*, Dominick Nelson*, Mason Williams*
Key departures: Keshon Gilbert, Nate Heise, Dishon Jackson, Curtis Jones,
Iowa State avoids concern that they could lose any key players to the NBA Draft after keeping the trio of returners out of the process. The Cyclones are another team comfortable with the position of the roster.
8. Michigan
Key returns: Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle, Will Tschetter
Key additions: Elliot Cadeau*, Morez Johnson*, Yaxel Lendeborg*, Aday Mara*, Trey McKenney
Key departures: Tre Donaldson, Vlad Goldin, Sam Walters, Danny Wolf
Michigan awaits the NBA feedback that transfer Yaxel Lendeborg receives before they can fully fill out the roster. The Wolverines will have a big swing either direction when they learn the plans of one of college basketball’s most productive big men.
9. Louisville
Key returns: J’Vonne Hadley, Aly Khalifa, Kobe Rodgers
Key additions: Mikel Brown, Ryan Conwell*, Sanandra Fru, Isaac McKneely*, Adrian Wooley*
Key departures: Terrence Edwards, Chucky Hepburn, , James Scott, Reyne Smith, Noah Waterman
Louisville is another team which avoided NBA Draft dread, getting its transfer commitments early and keeping the group from testing professional waters. The Cardinals have some transfer work left to do, but will not lose more players.
10. Florida
Key returns: Rueben Chinyelu, Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh
Key additions: AJ Brown*, CJ Ingram, Xaivian Lee*, Alex Lloyd
Key departures: Denzel Aberdeen, Walter Clayton, Alijah Martin, Will Richard
Florida has Reuben Chinyelu and Alex Condon testing the NBA Draft process throughout the month, and will await the decision of both before setting the rotation for next season. The two moves could be the difference in making a back-to-back title push in 2025-26.
Ranking 11-25
11. Alabama
Key returns: Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell
Key additions: Amari Allen, Jalil Bethea*, Taylor Bol Bowen*, Keitenn Bristow*, Davion Hannah, London Jemison, Noah Williamson*
Key departures: Mo Dioubate, Grant Nelson, Clifford Omoruyi, Labaron Philon, Derrion Reid, Mark Sears, Jarin Stevenson, Chris Youngblood
12. Tennessee
Key returns: Felix Okpara
Key additions: Amaree Abram*, Nate Ament, Jaylen Carey*, Ja’Kobi Gillespie*, Clarence Massamba
Key departures: Jordan Gainey, Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack, Igor Milicic, Zakai Zeigler
13. Kansas
Key returns: Flory Bidunga
Key additions: Melvin Council*, Jayden Dawson*, Darryn Peterson, Bryson Tiller, Tre White*
Key departures: KJ Adams, David Coit, Hunter Dickinson, Rylan Griffen, Dajuan Harris, Zeke Mayo, AJ Storr
14. Arkansas
Key returns: Trevon Brazile, Karter Knox, Billy Richmond, DJ Wagner
Key additions: Darius Acuff, Malique Ewin*, Nick Pringle*, Karim Rtail, Maleek Thomas
Key departures: Jonas Aidoo, Johnell Davis, Boogie Fland, Zvonimir Ivisic, Adou Thiero
15. Illinois
Key returns: Kylan Boswell, Tomislav Ivisic, Ty Rodgers
Key additions: Zvonimir Ivisic*, David Mirkovic, Mihailo Petrovic, Andrej Stojakovic*
Key departures: Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Ben Humrichous, Kasparas Jakucionis, Morez Johnson, Will Riley, Tre White
16. BYU
Key returns: Dawson Baker, Keba Keita, Richie Saunders
Key additions: Kennard Davis*, AJ Dybantsa, Tyler Mrus*, Xavion Staton, Rob Wright*
Key departures: Kanon Catchings, Egor Demin, Dallin Hall, Trevin Knell, Mawot Mag, Fousseyni Traore
17. UConn
Key returns: Solomon Ball, Alex Karaban, Tarris Reed, Jaylin Stewart
Key additions: Darius Adams, Silas Demary*, Dwayne Koroma*, Braylon Mullins, Eric Reibe, Malachi Smith*
Key departures: Hassan Diarra, Samson Johnson, Liam McNeeley
18. Creighton
Key returns: Jackson McAndrew
Key additions: Aleksa Dimitrijevic, Josh Dix*, Owen Freeman*, Nik Graves*, Hudson Greer, Blake Harper*, Austin Swartz*
Key departures: Steven Ashworth, Pop Isaacs, Jamiya Neal, Ryan Kalkbrenner
19. Texas Tech
Key returns: Christian Anderson, JT Toppin
Key additions: Donovan Atwell*, Tyeree Bryan*, LeJuan Watts*
Key departures: Devan Cambridge, Federiko Federiko, Elijah Hawkins, Chance McMillian, Kevin Overton, Kerwin Walton, Darrion Williams
20. Arizona
Key returns: Tobe Awaka, Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell’Orso, Motiejus Krivas
Key additions: Dwayne Aristode, Brayden Burries, Sidi Gueye, Evan Nelson*, Koa Peat
Key departures: Carter Bryant, KJ Lewis, Caleb Love, Trey Townsend, Henri Veesaar
21. Baylor
Key returns: N/A
Key additions: Obi Agim*, Juslin Bodo Bodo*, Cameron Carr*, Caden Powell*, Michael Rataj*, Dan Skillings*, JJ White*, Isaac Williams*, Tounde Yessoufou
Key departures: Jalen Celestine, VJ Edgecombe, Langston Love, Jayden Nunn, Josh Ojianwuna, Norchad Omier, Jeremy Roach, Rob Wright
22. Wisconsin
Key returns: John Blackwell, Nolan Winter
Key additions: Aleksas Bielauskas, Nick Boyd*, Braeden Carrington*, Austin Rapp*, Andrew Rohde*
Key departures: Steven Crowl, Max Klesmit, Kamari McGee, John Tonje
23. North Carolina
Key returns: Seth Trimble
Key additions: Derek Dixon, Kyan Evans*, Jonathan Powell*, Jarin Stevenson*, Henri Veesaar*, Caleb Wilson, Jaydon Young*
Key departures: Elliot Cadeau, RJ Davis, Ian Jackson, Ven-Allen Lubin, Drake Powell, Jalen Washington, Jae’lyn Withers
24. Michigan State
Key returns: Coen Carr, Carson Cooper, Jeremy Fears, Jaxson Kohler
Key additions: Trey Fort*, Kaleb Glenn*
Key departures: Jaden Akins, Frankie Fidler, Tre Holloman, Jase Richardson
25. UCLA
Key returns: Tyler Bilodeau, Skyy Clark, Eric Dailey
Key additions: Jamar Brown*, Donovan Dent*, Steven Jamerson*
Key departures: Dylan Andrews, Kobe Johnson, Sebastian Mack, Aday Mara
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