Since our last Freshman of the Year race update in mid-January, we’ve seen some remarkable performances from the nation’s top contenders. Three freshmen — BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Houston’s Kingston Flemings — scored more than 40 points on the same day (Jan. 24), which hasn’t happened in at least 20 seasons. Duke’s Cameron Boozer and North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson have continued to light up the ACC (and will meet this weekend in the first edition of the legendary rivalry), while Kansas’ Darryn Peterson has been dominant when healthy.
There’s no question that we’re watching one of the best freshman classes in college basketball history. Below is a ranking of the top 10 rookies as of Feb. 6. This list will be updated every few weeks until March Madness, so stay tuned.
1. Cameroon Boozer, 6-foot-9 forward, Duke
Last installment: No. 1
23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.9 steals, 58.3 FG%, 37.5 3FG%
Boozer isn’t just the clear favorite for Freshman of the Year; he’s running away with the Wooden Award. The do-it-all big man has been as consistent as any rookie in college basketball history. He leads the No. 4-ranked Blue Devils in every major statistical category except blocks and has claimed ACC Rookie of the Week eight times. In Duke’s 67-49 win over Boston College on Tuesday, Boozer had 19 points, 12 rebounds and 5 steals — his 11th double-double of the season.
2. AJ Dybantsa, 6-foot-8 wing, BYU
Last installment: No. 2
23.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 53.6 FG%
The nation’s leading scorer, Dybantsa has somehow exceeded expectations at BYU. His double-digit scoring streak of 22 games is the third-longest to begin a career in Big 12 history, trailing just Trae Young and Kevin Durant. He broke the program’s single-game freshman scoring record with 43 points on 15 of 24 shooting in a victory over Utah on Jan. 24. The Cougars have struggled a bit recently, but they still rank in the top 10 in adjusted offensive efficiency thanks in large part to Dybantsa’s brilliance.
3. Keaton Wagler, 6-foot-6 guard, Illinois
Last installment: No. 7
17.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 48.0 FG%, 44.4 3FG%
A four-star prospect who was lightly recruited by high-major schools, Wagler has been one of the best stories in college basketball this year. He followed up a historic 46-point performance against Purdue at Mackey Arena — the most points ever by a Big Ten freshman and the most points scored by any player in a road win over a top-10 team in the AP poll era (since 1949) — by averaging 21.0 points, 6.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds over the Illini’s last three games. With his rise during Big Ten play, Wagler has jumped four spots in these rankings and is now in the conversation for the Wooden Award.
4. Caleb Wilson, 6-foot-10 forward, North Carolina
Last installment: No. 3
20.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.4 blocks, 58.9 FG%
This season has been a roller coaster for the Tar Heels, but Wilson has been steadily dominant. An explosive forward who’s projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Wilson already set the UNC freshman record for most 20-point performances in a season (16) and became the first rookie in program history to have four straight double-doubles. No North Carolina freshman has ever led the team in points, rebounds, blocks and steals for an entire campaign, which Wilson is currently on pace to do.
The Best Freshman Class Ever? Sure Looks That Way.
With Darryn Peterson back on the court, AJ Dybantsa logging triple-doubles and Ebuka Okorie setting records, Cameron Boozer finally has competition for Freshman of the Year
5. Kingston Flemings, 6-foot-4 guard, Houston
Last installment: No. 6
17.0 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 52.0 FG%, 38.0 3FG%
A lightning quick guard with elite handles, Flemings has been the engine of a loaded Houston team with national championship aspirations. The 19-year-old broke the Cougars’ freshman single-game scoring record with 42 points against Texas Tech on Jan. 24. He plays with the poise and confidence of an upperclassman, always stepping up in the biggest moments. In games against ranked opponents, Flemings is averaging a staggering 26.6 points on 55.7-percent shooting.
6. Darius Acuff Jr., 6-foot-3 guard, Arkansas
Last installment: No. 4
20.3 points, 6.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 49.1 FG%, 40.8 3FG%
The fact that a unique talent like Acuff didn’t crack the top five of these rankings speaks to how deep and star-studded this freshman class is. Arkansas’ floor general is one of just three players in the country averaging at least 18 points and 6 assists, along with Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson and SMU’s Boopie Miller. Acuff has received SEC Freshman of the Week honors a record-tying six times and was named to the Bob Cousy Award Midseason Top 10. He ranks fourth in the SEC in scoring and first in assists.
7. Darryn Peterson, 6-foot-6 guard, Kansas
Last installment: No. 10
21.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 49.4 FG%, 43.2 3FG%
Take away the injuries and the cramping issues and Peterson would almost certainly be in the top three on this list. When he’s been healthy and on the floor, the projected No. 1 overall pick has looked unstoppable. He scored 18 points on 6 of 8 shooting in the first half of the Jayhawks’ 90-82 victory over Dybantsa and BYU last Saturday, then sat out the final 17 minutes with cramps. On Tuesday, he was able to log a season-high 35 minutes against Texas Tech and buried two clutch three-pointers to lift Kansas to a 64-61 win.
8. Brayden Burries, 6-foot-4 guard, Arizona
Last installment: No. 9
15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 50.2 FG%, 37.1 3FG%
The undefeated, No. 1-ranked Wildcats have a pair of stellar freshmen in Burries and forward Koa Peat. Burries, a sharpshooting wing, has been red-hot lately, averaging 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 55.9 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from three over his last three outings. In a big-time 86-83 victory at BYU on Jan. 26, the 20-year-old scored a career-high 29 points and had the game-sealing block. With his strong frame and three-level scoring ability, Burries could be a lottery pick in June.
9. Hannes Steinbach, 6-foot-11 forward, Washington
Last installment: No. 8
17.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 53.7 FG%, 35.1 3FG%
A former pro in Germany, the 19-year-old Steinbach has been the most impressive of a talented crop of international freshmen. He leads all rookies in double-doubles with 15, scoring at least 20 points in eight of them, and ranks third in the country in rebounding. On Saturday, he put up 22 points and 14 boards in a win over Northwestern. If his current averages hold, Steinbach would become the first freshman in program history to average a double-double.
10. Nate Ament, 6-foot-10 forward, Tennessee
Last installment: N/A
17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 41.8 FG%
Welcome to the top 10, Nate Ament! After a lackluster December, the versatile forward has found his rhythm during conference play. Over the last six games, Ament has averaged 23.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three to lead the Vols to a 5-1 record. That stretch included an exceptional 29-point performance at Alabama in which the 19-year-old showcased the dynamic skill set that originally had him in the top five of most 2026 mock drafts.
Meet your guide
