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, continuing today with players 21 through 40. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Moustapha Thiam
Michigan Wolverines
7'2" / 250
Center
40. Moustapha Thiam, 7-foot-2 junior center, Michigan
2025-26: 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 52.5 FG% (Cincinnati)
Originally a Dusty May signing, Thiam stuck around for Michigan’s Mike Boynton era. The former Cincinnati center ranked second among big men in the transfer portal and brings an elite frontcourt skillset to the reigning national champions. Like outbound center Aday Mara, Thiam is a legit rim protector with great mobility for his 7-foot-2 frame (7-foot-6 wingspan). At Cincinnati, he developed a three-point shot and is now capable of opening lanes and stretching defenses at the high-major level.
David Punch
Texas Longhorns
6'7" / 246
Forward
39. David Punch, 6-foot-7 junior forward, Texas
2025-26: 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.3 steals, 50.3 FG% (TCU)
Punch is a one-man loaded box score. The junior transfer averaged 1.3 steals, 1.9 blocks and 2 assists while leading the Horned Frogs in points and rebounds. At TCU, Punch drew comparisons to Draymond Green for his lateral mobility, paint finishing and ability to play as an undersized center. At Texas, he’ll slot in nicely beside Matas Vokietaitis, a high-gravity center capable of opening his lanes. Sean Miller called them his “one-two Punch.” Get it?
Nolan Winter
Wisconsin Badgers
7'0" / 235
Forward
38. Nolan Winter, 7-foot senior forward, Wisconsin
2025-26: 13.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 56.9 FG%
Thanks to a nine-inch growth spurt ahead of his freshman season, Winter has one of the best guard packages among NCAA big men. The three-year Badgers veteran led the team in rebounding last season (8.5 rebounds per game) while logging one of the highest two-point clips in the NCAA (69.9 percent). Winter has seen a gradual uptick in usage, and could play north of 32 minutes per night next season. With co-stars John Blackwell and Nick Boyd out, he’ll take over as Wisconsin’s offensive centerpiece and gun for all-conference honors.
Paulius Murauskas
Arizona State Sun Devils
6'8" / 235
Forward
27. Paulius Murauskas, 6-foot-8 senior forward, Arizona State
2025-26: 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 48.2 FG%, 33.3 3FG% (Saint Mary’s)
After a breakout junior season, Murauskas followed Randy Bennett from Saint Mary’s to Arizona State. The double-double machine led the Gaels in points last year while averaging 7.6 rebounds per game. After a lackluster freshman season at Arizona, Murauskas improved his defense in the WCC and returns to the Big 12 with a newfound ability to block shots and grab rebounds. He remains a legit three-level scorer and looks poised to run ASU’s reconstituted frontcourt.
Aiden Sherrell
Indiana Hoosiers
6'10" / 255
Forward
36. Aiden Sherrell, 6-foot-10 junior forward, Indiana
2025-26: 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 53.9 FG% (Alabama)
Sherrell is a candidate for a breakout season at Indiana. As a sophomore, he emerged as one of the best shot blockers in college basketball while oscillating between roles as a power forward and stretch five. The former five-star recruit is excellent in transition and brings great court vision, distribution and perimeter shooting to Indiana. Sherell is somewhat lumbering and lacks the explosiveness to be an elite finisher at the rim. If he can improve his conditioning, he’ll be a nightmare match-up — and an NBA first-rounder.
Malachi Moreno
Kentucky Wildcats
7'0" / 250
Center
35. Malachi Moreno, 7-foot sophomore center, Kentucky
2025-26: 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 58.2 FG%
Moreno is all upside. Coming out of high school, he was considered a long-term project, but exceeded expectations as he racked up double-doubles and became one of the best passing bigs in the nation. Moreno is a solid rebounder and midrange shooter, but truly excels in basketball IQ, touch and intangibles. If he can add strength and improve his lateral footwork, Moreno could go All-SEC two years ahead of schedule.
Tomislav Ivišić
Illinois Fighting Illini
7'1" / 255
Center
34. Tomislav Ivišić, 7-foot-1 senior center, Illinois
2025-26: 10.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 48.3 FG%, 31.3 3FG%
The other half of Illinois’ “Balkan 5” frontcourt (twin brother Zvonomir ranked No. 84), Ivišić is a bona fide unicorn. The 7-foot-1 center is a strong rebounder and defender, and can operate as a primary creator as needed. Ivišić was paramount for Illinois in the NCAA Tournament, where he shot 52.3 percent from the field and 100 percent (11 of 11) from the line. He struggled a bit through 2026, regressing in mobility and three-point shooting on identical usage. Ivišić’s midrange shot remains high variance and led to a number of lost possessions down the stretch. Consistency is key this season: At his best, Ivišić ranks among the top big men in the nation.
Boogie Fland
Florida Gators
6'3" / 185
Guard
33. Boogie Fland, 6-foot-3 junior guard, Florida
2025-26: 11.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 44.7 FG%
Fland is an elite isolation player. The twitchy lead guard made his mark at Arkansas, then transferred to Florida where he regressed in a less ball-dominant role. Often compared to Darius Garland for his pull-up game, distribution and crafty passing, Fland is all upside. If he improves off-ball, he’ll be a key piece on the nation’s best preseason roster.
Chance Mallory
Virginia Cavaliers
5'10" / 186
Guard
32. Chance Mallory, 5-foot-10 sophomore guard, Virginia
2025-26: 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 42.2 FG%
A strong second round showing against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, a gradual uptick in usage and a new starting role portend a breakout for Mallory. As a freshman, the Virginia native out-scored, out-rebounded and out-stole his starting option on 24 minutes per game. Mallory has incredible lateral and vertical quickness, and seems capable of controlling pace. His small frame and low dribble enable him to take great care of the ball. On a sky-high roster, expect Mallory to set lobs, score out of pick-and-rolls and dominate as floor general.
Rodney Rice
USC Trojans
6'5" / 199
Guard
31. Rodney Rice, 6-foot-5 senior guard, USC
2025-26: 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 38.5 3FG%
Rice is the man behind the prettiest jump shot in the NCAA. The Preseason All-Big Ten entry led the Trojans in points, assists and three-point percentage last season before going down with a right shoulder injury in November. Rice is a proven playmaker and three-level scorer, and he’s phenomenal out of pick-and-rolls. To dominate at USC, he must beat the injury bug that’s trailed him from Virginia Tech to Los Angeles.
Josh Hubbard
Mississippi State Bulldogs
6'0" / 190
Guard
20. Josh Hubbard, 6-foot senior guard, Mississippi State
2025-26: 22.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 42.2 FG%, 34.7 3FG%
Hubbard is bringing parity back to the SEC. The Bulldogs veteran has been expected to enter the transfer portal in each of the last three offseasons, and each time opted for another season with Mississippi State. As a junior, Hubbard logged eight performances of 25-plus points, including 46- and 42-point masterpieces versus Auburn and UGA. His skillset is elevated traditional guard skills: self-creation, deep three-point shooting and high strength-to-weight ratio. The clock is ticking for Mississippi State to make use of Hubbard in a legit postseason run.
Tounde Yessoufou
St. John's Red Storm
6'5" / 220
Guard
29. Tounde Yessoufou, 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, St. John’s
2025-26: 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 46.5 FG% (Baylor)
The linchpin of Rick Pitino’s aggressive offseason, Yessoufou withdrew from the NBA Draft to ride with the Red Storm. The Benin native is a bruiser, excellent at battling for rebounds and finishing through contact. Yessoufou’s most remarkable skill is a limitless motor, which makes him an inescapable two-way threat. In order to reach the next level, Yessoufou must hone his three-point shot and improve on-ball. He’ll have plenty of opportunities as the face of a transfer-heavy St. John’s squad.
PJ Haggerty
Texas A&M Aggies
6'4" / 195
Guard
28. PJ Haggerty, 6-foot-4 senior guard, Texas A&M
2025-26: 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 48.9 FG%, 35.1 3FG% (Kansas State)
A mercenary slasher, Haggerty is prepared to dominate at his fifth school in five years. The combo guard was K-State’s offensive engine last season, leading the team in rebounds and trailing only AJ Dybantsa in Big 12 points per game. Haggerty is a foul magnet and shoots a respectable 76.8 percent from the arc. Conversely, the 2025 Second-Team All-American remains a turnover liability. If he doesn’t tighten his handles, the holes in his game will be apparent against SEC competition. For now, he’s a prize pickup for an Aggies squad in need of volume scoring.
Jordan Smith Jr.
Arkansas Razorbacks
6'2" / 210
Guard
27. Jordan Smith Jr., 6-foot-2 freshman guard, Arkansas
2025-26: N/A
John Calipari got his hands on another five-star guard. Despite his stature, Smith Jr. has a 6-foot-9 wingspan, which he leverages to rebound and steal at a high level. In three exhibition games with Arkansas, Smith logged a 7.66 assist-to-turnover ratio, demonstrating incredible court vision and ball-handling. There may be some growing pangs as he oscillates between roles, but Smith has the makings of an elite floor general. The biggest deficiencies in his game are explosiveness and inconsistency from the arc. If he patches those up, prepare for a season of Scoot Henderson comps.
Elliot Cadeau
Michigan Wolverines
6'1" / 180
Guard
26. Elliot Cadeau, 6-foot-1 senior guard, Michigan
2025-26: 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 41.1 FG%, 37.6 3FG%
After dropping 19 points in the national title game versus UConn, Cadeau tested NBA Draft waters and got valuable advice: Fix the three-point shot and get stronger. The Final Four Most Outstanding Player was pure clutch last season, increasing his statistics in every major category over tournament play. Cadeau thrived in Dusty May’s system, where he could focus on playmaking and distribution — his NBA-caliber skills — while offloading scoring. On a Michigan squad without titans like Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr., Cadeau’s shooting will be more important than ever. If he can maintain last year’s momentum, Cadeau will be an invaluable leader for the Boynton-era Wolverines.
Aden Holloway
Alabama Crimson Tide
6'1" / 180
Guard
25. Aden Holloway, 6-foot-1 senior guard, Alabama
2025-26: 16.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 48.1 FG%, 43.8 3FG%
In two years at Bama, Holloway has closed every hole in his Auburn game. As a junior he was more explosive and twitchier and his three-point shot — once a topic of debate — looked perfect. Holloway has seen an increase in confidence proportionate to his increase in usage. As Alabama’s go-to guy, he’s developed brilliant court vision, nearly doubling his assists and rebounds year-over-year. Holloway’s biggest problem remains his stature — at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds he’s bullied by defenders and struggles in isolation. Bad matchups affect Holloway’s confidence, and he sometimes reverts to the streaky shooting of his Auburn days. Holloway will miss the first two games of the season as a disciplinary measure after he was arrested on a marijuana possession charge in March.
Mason Falslev
Utah State Aggies
6'4" / 200
Guard
24. Mason Falslev, 6-foot-4 senior guard, Utah State
2025-26: 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 steals, 51.4 FG%
Through four years and three coaches at Utah State, Falslev has established himself as the best player in mid-major basketball. The 2026 Mountain West Player of the Year has great physical traits for a guard, including strength, frame and deceleration. As a junior, Falslev proved capable of shutting down opposing guards and earned Mountain West All-Defensive honors on the way to a third-consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. He’s capable of volume scoring on high efficiency, and benefits from a rapid release. The biggest flaws in his game are lateral quickness and court vision, which sometimes leave him stranded on the offensive end.
Trey McKenney
Michigan Wolverines
6'4" / 225
Guard
23. Trey McKenney, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, Michigan
2025-26: 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 46.2 FG%, 39.1 3FG%
McKenney made the All Big-Ten Freshman team without utilizing half of his offensive bag. The Michigan-native came off the bench in all 40 games to rain hellfire from the arc and space the floor. In a higher usage role for Boynton’s Wolverines, McKenney should employ the skills that made him an EYBL star: Driving, perimeter defense and three-level scoring. Despite his average height, the former McDonald’s All-American has a 6-foot-9 wingspan, which enables him to defend and rebound up. With their entire core (save Cadeau) lost to the NBA Draft, McKenney will be the Wolverines’ primary scoring wing and top breakout candidate.
Robert Wright III
BYU Cougars
6'1" / 183
Guard
22. Robert Wright III, 6-foot-1 junior guard, BYU
2025-26: 18.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 46.7 FG%, 41.0 3FG%
Wright III went All-Big 12 as a second option. Through his sophomore season, the Monteverde alum flashed tempo control, crafty playmaking and three-point shooting — the perfect complements to AJ Dybantsa’s skillset. With Dybantsa out, Wright is free to focus on self-creation and will likely climb from an already-impressive 18.1 points per night. The holes in his game are obvious: Wright often charges into mismatches. His distribution is serviceable but needs work for a contender-level point guard. Like other guards outside of the top 20, his defense leaves much to be desired. With an increased burden in a post-Dybantsa world, Wright will have plenty of opportunities to make himself into an elite floor general.
Silas Demary Jr.
UConn Huskies
6'4" / 195
Guard
21. Silas Demary Jr., 6-foot-4 senior guard, UConn
2025-26: 10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 44.6 FG%, 38.5 3FG%
Turns out a trip to Connecticut is just what Demary Jr. needed. The former four-star recruit went First-Team All-Big East as a junior and emerged as UConn’s best perimeter defender, a role he’ll reprise in 2026-27. Demary is the king of dirty work — with Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban as UConn’s public faces, Demary led the Huskies in assists and steals. His dishing made UConn’s All-American frontcourt perennial lob threats, while his three-point shooting stretched defenses and empowered his backcourt teammates. Emblematic of his role: Storrs commemorated Braylon Mullins’ Elite Eight-winning trey with a mural. They didn’t feature the Demary block that set it up. Don’t be surprised if the Preseason Big East Player of the Year goes All-American this season.
