With college football preparing for the playoffs, many eyes are being drawn to the basketball court as college basketball kicks off for the 2025-26 season. Along with the beginning of the season, new talent arises among the freshman class, with three highlighted names showing why they could be number one on the NBA draft board.
With a 6’9”, 195lb frame that also includes a seven-foot wingspan, Brigham Young University freshman AJ Dybantsa presents pure athleticism with a deep bag. His fluid scoring ability allows him to get a bucket from anywhere on the court, averaging 19.4 points per game while shooting 54.4% from the field. Dybantsa is also a solid rebounder, averaging 6.3 per game. Although many pay attention to his decision-making abilities, based on his 2.1 turnovers per game, his decision to reclassify from the high school class of 2026 to the class of 2025 gives him more time to master his craft before arriving on the big stage, that is, the NBA.
When looking at a two-way potential guard with elite off-ball playmaking abilities, Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson is fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball. Averaging 20 points per game on 53% shooting from the field, Peterson is a natural shot creator, getting to his spots when he needs to. On the defensive side of the ball, Peterson is also a rim protector, averaging a block a game. He is also very handsy, averaging nearly two steals per game. His 6’6”, 205-pound build provides raw strength and athleticism. What draws attention to the downside of Peterson’s game is his ability to play within the offense, tending to go off track of the game plan. There is also, at times, a slightly uneven balance between athleticism and skill. But if Peterson learns to be more fluid within the offensive scheme, the NBA is looking at a one-of-one guard.
A key piece on the court is a dominant big man who has size, can finish, rebounds and protects the rim at a high level. Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer is a prime example of this, with the skill set of an NBA veteran. Taking up from his dad, former NBA player Carlos Boozer, Cameron has an elite inside scoring ability, ranked second in points per game with 23 a night. Outside of the paint, Cameron is a three-level scorer, coming with a crafty mid-range game and a developing three-point jumper. Boozer is also a great rebounder for his size, averaging 9.9 boards a game. Similar to Peterson’s weaknesses, Boozer can improve on his ability to create productive plays instead of relying solely on the pick and roll. As said before, Boozer’s shooting beyond the perimeter can be improved, as the big man competition in the NBA is rapidly developing consistent jump shots. In a program like Duke, which has produced many lottery picks, Boozer has all the resources to be a scary sight when he reaches the next level.
