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Who is the best Freshman College Basketball Player?

College basketball hasn’t seen a freshman class this loaded with pure, NBA-ready talent in years. From Cameron Boozer’s Duke dominance to rising international names like Thijs De Ridder at Virginia, the 2025 crop is a mix of size, speed, and skill stretching across every conference. The early months of the season have already showcased these rookies redefining what “one-and-done” impact truly means.  The current Top 10 Best College Basketball Freshmen 2025 Early rankings list is loaded with stars ready to shine into March.

What stands out most about this group is the range of paths that brought them here. Some, like Caleb Wilson, Cameron Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa, were five-star recruits long heralded by scouts as generational prospects. Others, such as De Ridder and Mirkovic, took less traditional routes through international circuits and post-grad development before bursting onto college basketball’s biggest stages. Together, they are balancing expectations, adjusting to the pace of Division I hoops, and turning potential into early production.

As scouts, coaches, and fans dissect every box score, one thing is clear: freshman influence in 2025 is not just about raw talent, it’s about immediate efficiency, basketball IQ, and leadership under pressure.

Here is a look at the Top 10 Best College Basketball Freshmen 2025 Early Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Tomislav Buljan

School: New Mexico Lobos

Position: Forward

Just nearly missing the Top 10 Best College Basketball Freshmen 2025 Early rankings list is the New Mexico Lobos freshmen Tomislav Buljan.

Few mid-major players have translated international experience into college success as quickly as Tomislav Buljan. The six foot seven inch Croatian forward brings a rare blend of composure, craft, and versatility to the New Mexico Lobos’ frontcourt. Through his first eight games of the season, Buljan has averaged a double, double joining just 13 other players in college to accomplish the feat this season.

Over those games, the Lobos forward is averaging 12.3 points per game to go along with 11 rebounds while also adding 1.5 assists and one steal per game. Buljan’s ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions has made him a key piece in Eric Olsen’s rotation. While he doesn’t boast the flashy stat lines of top-tier recruits, his efficiency and basketball IQ make him one of the most underappreciated freshmen of 2025.

Lewis Walker

School: North Carolina A&T Aggies

Position: Forward

Another talented freshman who won’t see the same recognition or honors as other top freshmen is the North Carolina A&T Aggies forward Lewis Walker.

Walker might not play for a powerhouse program, but his impact with the Aggies has been nothing short of electric. The six foot six inch forward has emerged as a scoring machine in the CAA, using explosive first-step acceleration and tight handle combinations to dice through defenses. Overall Walker is averaging 19.3 points per game to go along with 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

Scouts love his leadership and ability to create for both himself and teammates under pressure. If Walker keeps this pace, he could become one of the most talked-about mid-major players in college basketball by season’s end.

Top 10 Freshman College Basketball Player Rankings

10. Ace Glass

School: Washington State Cougars

Position: Guard

Closing out the back half of the Top 10 Best College Basketball Freshmen 2025 Early rankings list is the Washington State Cougars guard Ace Glass.

Washington State struck gold with the addition of Ace Glass, a six foot three inch guard boasting elite athleticism and defensive instincts. Offensively, he’s raw but fearless, slashing to the rim and finishing through contact with poise while also showcasing a clean crisp shot from behind the three point line. Glass has used his all around game to average 16.6 points per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor and 40 percent from behind the three point line.

The Cougars guard has the tools to continue to develop into one of the best players in the country while also elevating his NFL Draft stock value for the 2026 NBA Draft.

9. Darius Acuff Jr

School: Arkansas Razorbacks

Position: Guard

Entering the 2025-2026 Men’s College Basketball season Darius Acuff Jr was one of a strong list of talented freshmen expected to make a big contribution this season.

The Arkansas Razorbacks guard has done exactly that, bringing instant offensive fireworks to the floor each night to the BUd Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Detroit-born guard blends streetball creativity with collegiate precision, slicing into defenses and creating separation seemingly out of thin air.

Over the course of his first nine games, Acuff has been brilliant averaging 17.4 points per game to go along with 5.4 assists and three rebounds per game. What sets him apart isn’t just his scoring—it’s his court vision and ability to find teammates in tight quarters. With his combination of confidence, handle, and charisma, Acuff has already become the emotional heartbeat of Arkansas’ backcourt, giving the Razorbacks a legitimate star in the making.

8. Mikel Brown Jr

School: Louisville Cardinals

Position: Guard

Another talented freshman guard taking the game by storm this season is the Louisville Cardinals guard Mikel Brown Jr.

For Louisville, Mikel Brown Jr. has become both a floor general and a culture changer. After a turbulent few years for the program, Brown’s calm leadership has steadied the Cardinals’ offense. At six foot five inches, Brown delivers the Cardinals a big physical guard that can not only score at will but command the offense with the ball in his hand. This has been on display all season as Brown has posted 16.7 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds per game to start the season.

Brown thrives in high-pressure situations, keeping composure when the game tightens and finding teammates for clutch looks. His processing speed, seeing plays develop seconds before they unfold, makes him a key catalyst in Louisville’s resurgence. Brown’s combination of maturity and upside defines a modern point guard built to elevate a program.

7. Nate Ament

School: Tennessee Volunteers

Position: Forward

As you start to look around the SEC Conference as well as Men’s College Basketball it is hard to look past the freshmen class including Nate Ament of the Tennessee Volunteers.

Ament may not be the flashiest name on this list, but his value to Tennessee’s system is immense. Listed at six foot 10 inches, Ament’s length and mobility give Rick Barnes flexibility across both forward spots. His rebounding instincts and rim protection are already translating to box-score dominance, while his growing confidence offensively allows him to punish mismatches on drives or face-up jumpers.

Through 10 games, Ament has averaged 16.3 points per game to go along with 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Ament could rise into a legitimate SEC star and perhaps one of the nation’s best two-way wings.

6. Thijs De Ridder

School: Virginia Cavaliers

Position: Forward

A European technician with an old-school edge, Thijs De Ridder has quickly become a perfect fit for Ryan Odom’s approach at Virginia.

The six foot nine inch Belgian forward reads the floor with veteran poise, operating as both a secondary playmaker and interior force. The Cavaliers forward has averaged 16.4 points to go along with six rebounds and 1.3 assists to start his collegiate career. De Ridder plays with patience, keeps turnovers low, and anchors one of the ACC’s stingiest defenses.

He may not score 20 a night, but his blend of rebounding, facilitating, and positional defense makes him indispensable.

5. David Mirkovic

School: Illinois Fighting Illini

Position: Forwad

Closing out the Top 5 freshman on the Top 10 Best College Basketball Freshmen 2025 Early rankings list is the Illinois Fighting Illini David Mirkovic.

Mirkovic has quickly earned national attention as one of the most promising post players in the Big Ten. The six foot nine inch Serbian forward possesses both power and finesse, he can muscle through contact or step out to knock down mid-range shots. The talented Fightin Illini forward has come out strong averaging 13.8 points per game while also averaging nearly double digit rebound totals (9.6) to start his collegiate career. In addition the big man has tremendous court vision setting up his teammates while averaging 2.7 assists per game.

What’s truly impressive is his court feel; he knows when to seal, when to kick, and when to finish, rarely forcing plays. Illinois has leaned heavily on his presence inside, and he’s responded with consistent double-double performances. Mirkovic’s strength and conditioning allow him to control the paint, while his touch and vision mark him as a future first-round NBA prospect if his trajectory continues upward.

4. AJ Dybantsa

School: BYU Cougars

Position: Forward

Another one of those talented freshman recruits who arrived on the collegiate scene for the 2025-2026 season is the BYU Cougars AJ Dybantsa.

No freshman has captured attention in Provo, Utah quite like Dybantsa. Once pegged as a potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick, Dybantsa’s arrival at BYU has turned the Cougars into must-watch basketball. The six foot nine inch forward combines NBA-level athleticism with a polished offensive skill set, equally lethal spotting up from three or attacking downhill.

This type of play has been on display over his first eight games while averaging 19.4 points per game. HIs play doesn’t stop there as Dybantsa uses his size to attack the glass at a high level posting 6.3 rebounds per game. If he maintains his scoring pace, Dybantsa could challenge other top freshmen including Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer for the Freshman of the Year Award.

3. Caleb Wilson

School: North Carolina Tar Heels

Position: ForwarD

The success has come fast for the North Carolina Tar Heels six foot nine inch forward Caleb Wilson.

Wilson arrived in Chapel Hill carrying enormous expectations, and he’s exceeding them during each contest.. The forward brings versatility rarely seen in a freshman: elite ball-handling for his size, soft touch around the rim, and defensive switchability that anchors Hubert Davis’ game plans.Wilson can start a fast break off a rebound, distribute with precision, or pull up from midrange with effortless rhythm.

The Tar Heels freshman is one of 14 players averaging a double double this season while posting 19.3 points per game and 10.6 rebounds. The play doesn’t just stop there as Wilson is a tremendous all around defender posting over one steal (1.6) and one blocked shot (1.2) per game. As North Carolina continues its deep rotation of talent, Wilson has emerged as the team’s x-factor—already showing flashes of NBA readiness.

2. Ebuka Okorie

School: Stanford Cardinal

Position: Guard

Arriving at the college scene for the current season, Ebuka Okorie came as a four star recruit with less hype as many of the other top overall recruits.

However, Okorie has not disappointed, emerging as one of the best players in the game after arriving as the 118th overall prospect. The Cardinal six foot two inch guard did not let that slow him down to start the season. Through nine games, Okorie has ranked among the leaders in scoring posting 21 points per game. Okorie’s freshman emergence has been nothing short of spectacular for Stanford.

The Cardinal guard combines a strong basketball IQ, agility, and timing to help him play at a high level.  Defensively, he shuts down opposing guards and forces nearly two steals per game (1.8). Offensively, Okorie runs the floor with great ball handling skills, and vision while also using his jumper to set up his scoring. If Stanford makes a postseason push, Okorie’s strong play will be the biggest reason why. His ceiling? Elite.

1. Cameron Boozer

School: Duke Blue Devils

Position: Forward

Headlining the Top 10 Best College Basketball Freshman 2025 early rankings list is the top overall recruit Cameron Boozer.

Boozer, who is following in his fathers foot footsteps playing with the Duke Blue Devils, has not disappointed to start the season. Through his first 10 games of the season, Boozer is ranked second in the nation in scoring averaging 23 points per game while nearly averaging a double double posting 9.9 rebounds per game. At six foot nine inches the Duke freshman has blended all the best traits of a modern power forward: strength, ball-handling, creativity, and defensive versatility.

He dominates matchups with polished skill and unmatched intensity, already serving as Duke’s offensive anchor alongside a veteran core. Boozer’s basketball IQ mirrors his father’s NBA pedigree; he’s two steps ahead in reading coverages, and his motor never wavers. From scoring to rebounding to setting the emotional tone, Boozer looks every bit like college basketball’s most complete freshman—and a lock for the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.

How would you rank these college basketball freshmen so far into the 2025 season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings.

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