Expectations are sky-high for the incoming freshman class. While the big names, including BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’s Darryn Peterson, Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Tennessee’s Nate Ament have garnered much attention, several other prominent prospects have flown under the radar.
Below is a list of lesser-known freshmen — outside of the top 10 that we ranked here — to keep an eye on this season. None of the players highlighted were McDonald’s All-Americans or 5-star recruits, according to 247Sports’ final ratings.
1. Sadiq White, 6-foot-8 forward, Syracuse
When Hoops HQ spoke with Syracuse coach Adrian Autry earlier this summer, he was adamant that his freshmen were ready to contribute right away. For obvious reasons, White has received less spotlight than Syracuse’s other top signee: 6-foot-5 wing Kiyan Anthony, the son of Hall of Famer and Orange legend Carmelo Anthony. Nonetheless, White has the potential to play a significant role for a ‘Cuse team that should be much improved.
An extremely explosive and bouncy forward, White averaged 12.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in his senior season at IMG Academy. “Obviously the first thing that pops off the chart, he’s a one percent athlete,” Autry told Hoops HQ. “He’s an NBA athlete, but also a guy who you can get wowed by what he can do athletically, but when you break it down, just talking to him and watching him, he makes the right play. He’s a very good passer, obviously improving on his shot, and he has a toughness and a grit about him.”
2. Jasper Johnson, 6-foot-4 guard, Kentucky
Johnson is the least under-the-radar prospect on this list — he finished ranked No. 24 nationally, per 247Sports, and was one of the biggest snubs from the McDonald’s All-American Game — but the southpaw still deserves more shine. As part of arguably the deepest backcourt in college basketball, he is expected to come off the bench for coach Mark Pope, backing up veterans Jaland Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen. When he’s on the floor, Johnson has the ability to erupt offensively. The gifted scorer played his final high school season at Overtime Elite, averaging 20.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
“I know going to Kentucky, I’m going to have to compete at a high level each and every night in games and each and every day in practices,” Johnson told Hoops HQ’s Krysten Peek. “And I’m trying to go on a long run in March, hopefully be playing in April, and try to hang that banner this season.”
3. Matt Able, 6-foot-5 guard, NC State
Able made a strong impression on the NC State coaching staff during summer workouts, earning the second “Wolfpack Standard Player of the Week” award from Will Wade in June. A well-rounded guard out of The Sagemont School in Tampa, Able averaged 20.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 2.9 assists as a senior. He shot 40 percent from three and 94 percent from the free-throw line. With his positional size, versatility and three-level scoring, Able should be able to make an instant impact at the college level.
Asked by Hoops HQ’s Krysten Peek what fans can expect from him this season, Able said, “Winning, for sure. That’s my number one goal. I’ll play whatever role it is as long as we win.”
4. Mouhamed Sylla, 6-foot-10 center, Georgia Tech
One of the top-ranked centers in the class of 2025, Sylla shot up the national rankings during one season at Bella Vista College Preparatory School in Phoenix. A native of Senegal who previously attended NBA Academy Africa, the strong and mobile big man is old for his grade (he will turn 21 in January) and has a chance to put up major numbers for the Yellow Jackets in his freshman campaign.
“He gives us another offensive rebounder and rim runner, and he’s an elite shot blocker,” Georgia Tech coach Damon Stoudamire told Hoops HQ. “He’s going to show the country that he’s one of the best big men in college basketball.”
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5. Shelton Henderson, 6-foot-6 forward, Miami
After initially committing to Duke, Henderson followed coach Jai Lucas — his primary recruiter — to Miami. The physically imposing forward, who averaged 22.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game as a senior at Bellaire High School in Texas, is exactly the type of player that Lucas was looking for as he sought to rebuild the Hurricanes’ roster following a 7-24 season. Henderson has tremendous size, strength and versatility.
“I wanted to have positional size,” Lucas told Hoops HQ. “And the other thing I want to be is tough. I think there’s a level of physicality that’s needed to be able to compete right away in the ACC and at the national level.”
6. JJ Mandaquit, 6-foot-1 point guard, Washington
Mandaquit is one of the centerpieces of Washington’s deep recruiting class, which was ranked first in the Big Ten by 247Sports. Originally from Hawaii, the reliable floor general was a teammate of AJ Dybantsa at Utah Prep Academy. Mandaquit also played alongside Dybantsa on Team USA at the 2025 U19 FIBA World Cup, averaging 6.1 points and 5.4 assists and securing his third gold medal with the national program.
An elite table-setter, Mandaquit is in perfect position to thrive next season, as the Huskies are loaded with capable scorers.“Getting a point guard was critical,” Washington coach Danny Sprinkle told Hoops HQ, “and I think he’s the best in his class.”
7. Jaden Toombs, 6-foot-10 center, SMU
Toombs is one of five freshmen joining the Mustangs, committing along with his close friend and high school teammate Jermaine O’Neal Jr. Both players starred at Dynamic Prep, which is just 30 minutes away from SMU’s campus.
A physical big with exceptional strength, Toombs is among the best rebounders in his class. He also displays great feel for the game on the offensive end, with solid passing ability for a center. Along with O’Neal, he helped lead Dynamic Prep to the 2025 Chipotle Nationals title game, finishing the year with averages of 15 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks. Having lost most of his frontcourt options from last season, coach Andy Enfield should rely heavily on Toombs.
8. Acaden Lewis, 6-foot-2 point guard, Villanova
Lewis decommitted from Kentucky in mid-April, right around the same time that Kevin Willard was hired as the new coach at Villanova. The two had built a strong relationship since the point guard’s sophomore year at Sidwell Friends School (the alma mater of Wildcats’ legends Josh Hart and Saddiq Bey). Three weeks later, Lewis announced that he would sign with Nova, a massive win for Willard as he was in the process of rebuilding the roster from scratch.
The consensus 4-star prospect has the all-around talent to excel from Day One. “Acaden is a true point guard, a quality three-point shooter who plays with excellent pace,” Willard said. “He is an elite passer who has exceptional court vision. As he gains experience, Acaden will provide stability and leadership at the point guard position.”
9. Derek Dixon, 6-foot-5 guard, North Carolina
The headliner of North Carolina’s highly touted freshman class is Caleb Wilson, a 5-star forward who’s projected to be a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But Dixon and fellow freshman guard Isaiah Dennis also flourished during summer sessions. “You can see it in the way they compete and play,” coach Hubert Davis told Hoops HQ. “By the time they leave Carolina, it wouldn’t surprise me to see both of their jersey numbers up in the (Smith Center) rafters.”
A sharpshooting combo guard out of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., Dixon averaged 14.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists as a senior while shooting 38.5 percent from three on high volume.
10. Jacob Wilkins, 6-foot-9 forward, Georgia
The son of Hall of Famer and Georgia legend Dominique Wilkins, Jacob Wilkins is a big wing with striking athleticism. He thrives in transition, utilizing his speed, agility and bounce to create highlight plays, just like his father did. As a senior at Grayson High School in Georgia, Wilkins filled the stat sheet, averaging 15.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.6 steals. He may not receive major minutes out of the gate, but his long-term upside is enormous.
“Jacob Wilkins will be one of the better athletes that I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” Georgia coach Mike White told Hoops HQ, “with incredible length and ability to change ends and sprint into jump shots.”
