After another chaotic college hoops offseason defined by player movement, eligibility cases and the Protect College Sports Act, it’s finally time to play some basketball.
The 2026-27 campaign officially kicks off on Nov. 1 with a historic matchup between Villanova and Notre Dame in Rome. To get you ready for all the action ahead, Hoops HQ has put together a comprehensive ranking of the top 100 players in the sport this season. Our staff assembled this list with help from our friends at The Portal Report, analytics expert Colin Hanley and other reliable ranking sites covering the game. In addition to individual metrics, a player’s projected impact on winning factored heavily into our decisions.
It’s important to note that this list excludes all fifth-year players, as eligibility questions continue to swirl. Players such as Tamin Lipsey, Donovan Dent, Darrion Williams, Mark Mitchell and more certainly would have made the cut.
We’ll be rolling out the rankings in five installments, beginning today with players 81 through 100. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
J.P. Estrella
Michigan Wolverines
6'11" / 241
Forward
100. J.P. Estrella, 6-foot-11 junior forward, Michigan
2025-26: 10.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 59.6 FG% (Tennessee)
One of the most efficient backup bigs in the country, J.P. Estrella adapted to power conference play over three seasons at Tennessee. As a junior in 2025-26, Estrella shot 59.6 percent from the field and logged a career-high 5.4 rebounds. Of his 13 starts last season, four came during the NCAA Tournament, including a dominant seven-rebound performance against Michigan. Estrella closed SEC play with back-to-back 20-point games off the bench. At Michigan, he’ll slot in nicely beside Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam.
Kwame Evans Jr.
Villanova Wildcats
6'9" / 200
Forward
99. Kwame Evans Jr., 6-foot-10 senior forward, Villanova
2025-26: 13.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, 45.4 FG% (Oregon)
Once an NBA hopeful, Evans Jr. is looking for a better fit at Villanova. The No. 17 transfer in Hoops HQ’s transfer ranking thrived on increased usage last season while maintaining efficiency. Evans also had a breakout year defensively, nearly doubling his blocks, steals and defensive rebounds. The former five-star recruit has elite positional size and versatility. He’s an All-Big East-caliber forward with all the tools to dominate at Villanova.
Mouhamed Dioubate
LSU Tigers
6'7" / 215
Forward
98. Mouhamed Dioubate, 6-foot-7 senior forward, LSU
2025-26: 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 54.2 FG% (Kentucky)
The first commit to Will Wade’s new-look LSU is also its most explosive. Dioubate was an awkward fit at Kentucky, but led the Wildcats in two-point accuracy (60.3 percent) and ranked second in offensive and total rebounds. Across tenures at Alabama and Kentucky, Dioubate earned a reputation for hounding defense and intense effort. The senior forward still struggles to score from midrange and beyond, but is otherwise an invaluable piece for a transitional LSU lineup.
Pharrel Payne
Maryland Terrapins
6'9" / 255
Forward
97. Pharrel Payne, 6-foot-9 senior forward, Maryland
2025-26 (10 games): 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 62.4 FG%
The first entry from last year’s Top 100, Payne suffered a season-ending leg injury versus Michigan in December. Before that, the Texas A&M transfer enjoyed a breakout fall at Maryland, leading the Terps in points (17.5), blocks (1.1) and field goal percentage (62.4) while averaging 7.2 rebounds. Payne is weighed down by questions about his physical health. If he can return to form, he will be the Terrapin to watch — and deserves a spot much higher on this list.
Jaden Toombs
SMU Mustangs
6'10" / 230
Forward
96. Jaden Toombs, 6-foot-10 sophomore forward, SMU
2025-26: 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 56.8 FG%
Toombs entered last season injured and exceeded expectations. Playing backup to Samet Yigitoglu, he logged a series of standout performances, including a 23-point, 7-rebound, 1-steal masterpiece versus Duke in January. Toombs is a competent rim protector and adept scorer (56.8 FG%) whose usage climbed over ACC play. Anticipate more starts and more field goal attempts this season for the projected 2027 NBA Draft pick.
Blake Buchanan
Iowa State Cyclones
6'11" / 215
Forward
95. Blake Buchanan, 6-foot-10 senior forward, Iowa State
2025-26: 8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 63.6 FG%
Last September, Hoops HQ forecasted a breakout season for Buchanan. The kid came through. In his first season at Iowa State, the former Cavalier started 36 games and averaged a career-high 5.7 rebounds while shooting a personal-best 63.6 percent from the field. Buchanan struggled a bit off-ball, failing to contest key rebounds and playing sluggish defense during conference play. After a grueling offseason which included underwater strength training with T.J. Otzelberger, Buchanan is primed for a defensive renaissance.
Jeremiah Wilkinson
Arkansas Razorbacks
6'1" / 185
Guard
94. Jeremiah Wilkinson, 6-foot-1 junior guard, Arkansas
2025-26: 17.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 steals, 35.7 3FG% (Georgia)
Wilkinson was one of the most prolific scorers in the transfer portal. The heartbeat of last year’s Georgia Bulldogs, Wilkinson led the team in points (17.4) and steals (1.6) while proving himself against SEC competition. At Arkansas, the true junior will work to deepen his bag. Despite serviceable defense and recurring starts at point guard, Wilkinson was a sub-par passer and rebounder. Expect guard mogul John Calipari to teach him unselfish basketball — and weaponize his superhuman scoring.
Kevin Overton
Auburn Tigers
6'5" / 180
Guard
93. Kevin Overton, 6-foot-5 senior guard, Auburn
2025-26: 14.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 44.6 FG%, 41.3 3FG%
Overton started his junior season as a third option and ended it as Auburn’s go-to guy. The former Texas Tech transfer had a game-high 26 points in the NIT final, and announced his return to Auburn just days later. Initially a streaky shooter, Overton gained confidence and developed into a premier three-and-D player. He will benefit from increased usage and the confidence boost of an NIT championship run.
Barrington Hargress
Colorado Buffaloes
6'0" / 195
Guard
92. Barrington Hargress, 6-foot-1 senior guard, Colorado
2025-26: 14.7 points, 4.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 53.2 FG%, 48.1 3FG%
The face of Colorado’s re-tuned backcourt, Hargress ranks among the most efficient scorers in the Big 12. After two seasons at UC Riverside, Hargress made the jump to power conference play without missing a step. In 33 starts, he led the Buffaloes in assists and logged impressive 53.2/83.5/48.1 shooting splits. After losing top scorer Isaiah Johnson to the transfer portal, Hargress will be expected to lead Colorado’s guards and create space for frontcourt bruisers like Justin Neely.
Mercy Miller
Houston Cougars
6'4" / 200
Guard
91. Mercy Miller, 6-foot-4 junior guard, Houston
2025-26: 5.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 48.2 FG%
Miller is the key to Houston’s success this season. With Kingston Flemings, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan lost to the NBA Draft, the Cougars have holes to fill in the backcourt. Master P’s youngest son had a solid year as a sophomore, doubling his field goal and three-point percentages on dramatically increased usage. Offseason highlights indicate Miller is working on his dunk package and ready to make a leap.
Mikey Lewis
Texas Longhorns
6'3" / 180
Guard
90. Mikey Lewis, 6-foot-3 junior guard, Texas
2025-26: 13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 36.8 3FG% (Saint Mary’s)
The former WCC Sixth Man of the Year went First-Team All-WCC as a sophomore starter. Lewis was engineered in a lab to make the SEC jump: He has great positional size, a high clip from three and improves every time his usage jumps. The Longhorns lineup he joins is stacked with transfer talent, including TCU forward David Punch and Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson. Lewis will miss the beginning of the season with a right foot fracture sustained in preseason. Upon return, he will be expected to mentor a cohort of young guards and end the shooting droughts that sometimes afflicted him at Saint Mary’s.
Dame Sarr
Duke Blue Devils
6'8" / 190
Guard
89. Dame Sarr, 6-foot-8 sophomore guard, Duke
2025-26: 6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 40.4 FG%
A product of Spain’s FC Barcelona system, Sarr ranks among the best imports in the ACC. The sophomore wing boasts impressive positional size, including a 7-foot wingspan that made him one of Duke’s top rebounders. Sarr played behind Cameron Boozer, but flexed elite guard skills and efficient shooting across 30 starts. While he’ll need to button up his handles and shot creation, Sarr has a clear NBA ceiling and the work ethic to reach it.
Eric Dailey Jr.
UCLA Bruins
6'8" / 230
Guard
88. Eric Dailey Jr., 6-foot-8 senior guard, UCLA
2025-26: 11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 48.6 FG%
Dailey Jr. is a unicorn: a 6-foot-8 power forward with guard skills and lockdown defense. His UCLA role has been confusing at times, vacillating between primary creation and low-attempt, rebound-focused games. Dailey is perhaps the most athletic Bruin, but struggles with inconsistency and passivity as a shooter. In his third year at UCLA, he’ll need to gain confidence.
Terrence Hill Jr.
Tennessee Volunteers
6'3" / 180
Guard
87. Terrence Hill Jr., 6-foot-3 junior guard, Tennessee
2025-26: 15.0 points, 2.8 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 46.6 FG%, 37.0 3FG% (VCU)
One of the crown jewels of a top portal class for Tennessee, Hill Jr. was the engine behind the VCU squad that knocked out North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Hill ranks among the top pick-and-roll specialists in the nation, and boasts a deep bag including crafty passing and midrange shooting. He joins a diverse transfer class, and will serve as Tennessee’s lead facilitator to start the season.
Neoklis Avdalas
North Carolina Tar Heels
6'9" / 215
Guard
86. Neoklis Avdalas, 6-foot-9 sophomore guard, North Carolina
2025-26: 12.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 38.6 FG% (Virginia Tech)
Avdalas had a monster start to the 2025-26 season, drawing comps to Luka Doncic for his court vision, positional size and freeform distribution. But as the season progressed, he struggled. By conference play, Avdalas was seen as a poor decision-maker lacking the guts to attack the basket or the finesse to score from the arc. His comeback (or lack thereof) will be one of the key storylines to watch this season. If Avdalas can toughen up and maintain his nonconference form, he will be an All-ACC level talent. If confidence issues persist, he will be a weak link on a solid UNC squad.
Markus Burton
Indiana Hoosiers
6'0" / 166
Guard
85. Markus Burton, 6-foot senior guard, Indiana
2025-26 (10 games): 18.5 points, 3.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 48.9 FG% (Notre Dame)
Burton led the ACC in scoring in 2024-25 with 21.3 points per game and looked poised to repeat until an ankle injury ended his junior season in December. The Hoosiers are hoping Burton will replace outbound guard Lamar Wilkerson as Indiana’s primary scorer. He will work with Darian DeVries to close holes in his defense and improve his distribution. A steady increase in Burton’s shooting splits bode well for Indiana’s new-look backcourt.
Zvonimir Ivisic
Illinois Fighting Illini
7'2" / 234
Center
84. Zvonimir Ivisic, 7-foot-2 senior center, Illinois
2025-26: 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 50.9 FG%
An overnight celebrity thanks to Illinois’ “Balkan Five” Final Four team, Ivisic is a capable rim protector and dunker. The Croatia native flashed three-point talent at Kentucky and Arkansas, but receded a bit with the Illini, dropping from a 37.6-percent clip with the Razorbacks. Ivisic’s biggest flaw is a lack of mobility — he occasionally lags and struggles to position himself for rebounds. If his conditioning improves this offseason, he will form one of the nation’s strongest frontcourts beside twin brother Tomislav.
Derrion Reid
Oklahoma Sooners
6'8" / 220
Forward
83. Derrion Reid, 6-foot-8 junior forward, Oklahoma
2025-26: 11.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 50.9 FG%, 35.8 3FG%
After a hamstring injury derailed his freshman season, Reid proved himself at Oklahoma. The 2025-26 Hoops HQ breakout candidate developed an impressive finish at the rim and thrived on increased minutes and good health. The former five-star recruit was Oklahoma’s primary option at times, and flexed a jumpshot and first step that was missing at Alabama. This year’s Sooners are built to complement his talents, so expect a true breakout for Reid.
Alijah Arenas
USC Trojans
6'6" / 199
Guard
82. Alijah Arenas, 6-foot-6 sophomore guard, USC
2025-26 (14 games): 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 34.1 FG%
Between his NBA father and a near-death experience last offseason, all eyes will be on Arenas. The rising sophomore was a prolific but inefficient scorer last season, and will lose his offensive carte blanche with the return of injured star Rodney Rice. Arena’s explosiveness, basketball IQ and bucket-getting make him an NBA talent. Whether he’ll increase his efficiency enough to impress at USC, though, remains to be seen.
Collin Chandler
BYU Cougars
6'5" / 202
Guard
81. Collin Chandler, 6-foot-5 junior guard, BYU
2025-26: 9.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 43.5 FG%, 41.0 3FG% (Kentucky)
Chandler is the ideal replacement for NBA-bound Richie Saunders. The Utah native is capable from the arc with a knack for off-catch and off-screen scoring. He improved as a defender at Kentucky, and now demonstrates good off-ball movement and defensive rebounding in addition to standard guard skills. Chandler eased into the background over nonconference play and was a non-factor in Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament stint. His performance this season will depend on him improving his efficiency from short and midrange.
