In the college basketball world, 10 days can seem like 10 weeks. So much has been packed into this first stretch of the season — marquee matchups, wild highlights, shocking upsets, record-breaking performances, a scuffle on an airplane and another memorable Champions Classic. Somehow, it doesn’t feel too early to update my preseason “Top Five” lists (players, freshmen, transfers). So here we go…
PLAYER OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS
1. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Center, Creighton
29.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3 blocks, 92.1 FG%
The super senior started off his Player of the Year campaign with the best performance of his career: 49 points, 11 rebounds, 20-22 FG and 2-2 3PT in a win over UT Rio Grande Valley. Statement made. Kalkbrenner has missed just three total shots in three games.
2. Hunter Dickinson, Center, Kansas
21.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1.3 blocks, 56.8 FG%
After two solid outings to begin the season, the big man erupted in the Champions Classic (28 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals) against Michigan State, a familiar foe from his days playing at Michigan. “They have doubled me in the past, so I was expecting that,” Dickinson said afterwards. “We prepared for that, so I was a little surprised when they didn’t. But I was thankful that they didn’t.”
3. Kam Jones, Guard, Marquette
22.7 points, 6.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 69.2 FG%, 52.9 3P%
Through three games, Jones has made 27 of his 39 shot attempts. The Marquette star is clearly locked in and determined to make the most of his senior season. He opened the year with a near-perfect performance in a win over Stony Brook: 32 points on 14-16 shooting in just 26 minutes.
4. Cooper Flagg, Forward, Duke
19 points, 10 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.7 blocks, 45.5 FG%
Don’t let those two costly turnovers against Kentucky distract you from just how special the freshman has been. As a 17-year-old still getting used to the college level, Flagg has shined on both ends of the floor. And despite the loss to UK, his confidence hasn’t wavered at all. “I’m looking for it in that moment,” he said after the game. “It didn’t work out, but I’m still going to look for it no matter what.”
5. Johni Broome, Forward, Auburn
16.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3.3 blocks, 57.7 FG%
In one of the biggest games of the season so far, Broome delivered. The versatile forward put up 20 points (on 10-15 shooting), nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and five blocks to lead the Tigers to an upset win over Houston.
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS
1. Cooper Flagg, Forward, Duke
19 points, 10 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.7 blocks, 45.5 FG%
The projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has lived up to the hype. I wrote this before the season tipped off and it still holds true: In an exceptionally talented freshman class, one player stands above the rest.
2. Tre Johnson, Guard, Texas
25.3 points, 3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 57.4 FG%, 58.3 3P%
The Longhorns have a flat out scorer in Tre Johnson. Deep threes, midrange pull-ups off the bounce, crafty finishes at the rim — the future lottery pick can do it all. There is a smoothness to his game that makes you forget he’s just an 18-year-old freshman.
3. Egor Demin, Guard, BYU
17.3 points, 7.7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 63.6 FG%, 50 3P%
Most fans had never even heard of Egor Demin, the five-star recruit from Moscow, when he arrived at BYU. Now his highlights are all over social media. The 6-9 guard has a unique skill set, but it’s his passing ability that really stands out. He is one of only two freshmen in Big 12 history (Trae Young) to post 10+ points and 10+ assists in his college debut.
4. Dylan Harper, Guard, Rutgers
22 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 54.8 FG%
We have yet to see Ace Bailey in the regular season, but the other half of Rutgers’ elite freshman duo has been carrying the squad. Harper, a 6-foot-6 floor general, plays with the poise and patience of an upperclassmen, and he he’s guided the Scarlet Knights to a 2-0 start.
5. Liam McNeeley, Forward, UConn
14.3 points, 8 rebounds, 48 FG%, 41 3P%
The highest-ranked incoming Husky since 2011 (No. 9 by ESPN) made a great first impression on the fans in Storrs, going for 18 points and 10 rebounds on opening night. At 6-foot-9, the freshman forward, who played alongside Flagg at Montverde Academy, is a knockdown perimeter shooter.
BEST TRANSFERS
1. Zeke Mayo, Guard, Kansas
15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 47.1 FG%, 40 3P%
The South Dakota State transfer led the Jayhawks in scoring in each of their first two games. Then, when his shot wasn’t falling against Michigan State, he pitched in seven rebounds and 10 assists to help his team remain undefeated.
2. Otega Oweh, Guard, Kentucky
15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 53.3 FG%, 50 3P%
On a team loaded with nine transfers, the junior Oweh, who spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma, has shined brightest. The 6-foot-4 guard made several key plays down the stretch in Kentucky’s upset victory over Duke earlier this week. If you somehow missed the game, read all about it here.
3. PJ Haggerty, Guard, Memphis
27 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 assists, 50 FG%
It has been a smooth transition from Tulsa to Memphis for PJ Haggerty, who is doing exactly what he did last season, only better. The 6-foot-3 guard is a master at drawing fouls — he has attempted 23 free throws in just two games and connected on 82.6 percent of them.
4. JT Toppin, Forward, Texas Tech
22.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.7 steals, 73.7 FG%
As a freshman at New Mexico last year, the 6-9 Toppin led the Mountain West in field goal percentage (62 percent), rebounds (9.1) and blocks (1.9). He has been just as dominant and efficient for the Red Raiders in his first three appearances.
5. Clifford Omoruyi, Center, Alabama
10.7 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 92.3 FG%
The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Omoruyi, a transfer from Rutgers, has played just 18 minutes per game and is most impactful on the defensive end. A year removed from having one of the worst defenses in college basketball, Alabama is in the top 20 in defensive rating through its first three outings, per KenPom. Omoruyi’s rim protection is definitely a huge reason for that.
