EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThere are endless ways to rank men's college basketball players -- and at ESPN, we check off most of those boxes. We rank transfers. We rank recruits. We rank NBA draft prospects. We rank the top 100 players in the sport (coming soon). This offseason, we even ranked players in eligibility limbo.Most of these rankings are done with a long-term ceiling in mind.These impact newcomer rankings are not. Nor are they simply rehashing the other rankings. They're weighted almost entirely on expected impact over the next five months -- in other words, how important a player will be during the 2026-27 college basketball season.We've scoured exhibition and "secret scrimmage" box scores, talked to college coaches and NBA scouts and tried to project roles and production. It's an inexact science, but following the offseason drumbeat tends to lead us in the right direction.Here are the top 50 newcomers we're expecting to have the biggest impact this season, plus 16 newcomers we're higher on than consensus.Note: Players hoping for a fifth year of eligibility via the courts are marked with an asterisk.1. Tyran Stokes, KansasFreshman | forwardStokes arrives in college with more pressure -- but also the highest upside of any freshman in the class. The No. 1 high school recruit and early favorite to go first in the 2027 NBA draft gives the Jayhawks a physically imposing point forward with undeniable size and skill. How he handles adversity and adjusts to the college game will be critical. -- Paul Biancardi2. John Blackwell, DukeTransfer | GuardBlackwell was the best guard in the portal last spring, and Duke needed instant-impact firepower to replace the outgoing Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans. He should be an ideal fit, after averaging 19.1 points last season at Wisconsin. Jon Scheyer will likely lean on him to be the team's go-to guy later in games. -- Jeff Borzello3. Flory Bidunga, LouisvilleTransfer | ForwardBidunga earned all-Big 12 honors at Kansas last season, becoming one of the best interior defenders in college basketball. After averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks for Bill Self, he will now anchor Pat Kelsey's frontcourt. Louisville has plenty of weapons offensively, which should allow Bidunga to take another step, given the space in which he will have to operate. -- Borzello4. Jordan Smith Jr., ArkansasFreshman | GuardSmith developed into a defensive stopper in high school, and his two-way ability will translate up into college. If he hits outside shots, he can help Arkansas compete for an SEC title. He's talented enough to enter the SEC Freshman of the Year and No. 1 draft pick conversations. -- Biancardi5. Caleb Holt, ArizonaFreshman | GuardHolt will step into a starting role in Arizona's backcourt alongside Derek Dixon or JJ Mandaquit as the Wildcats replace Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley. Holt is an engaged defender who impacts games without the ball, with a mentality similar to that of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace. More consistent 3-point shooting could secure him a significant role in Arizona's rotation. His rsum and role should make him a top lottery draft pick in 2027. -- Biancardi6. Milan Momcilovic, KentuckyTransfer | ForwardMomcilovic was our top-ranked transfer after he established himself as the best shooter in college basketball last season while at Iowa State. He led the country in 3-point percentage, making nearly 49% of his perimeter shots and also ranking fifth nationally in 3-pointers made. He'll be the focal point of Mark Pope's offense, and Pope will have to find ways to get him open looks. -- Borzello7. Jason Crowe Jr., MissouriFreshman | GuardDennis Gates is entrusting the primary creator role in his Tigers offense to Crowe, the best isolation player in the 2026 high school class. Expect Crowe to lead Missouri in scoring, especially as he gets better at reading defenders. He has Brandon Jennings-type ability and projects as a lottery draft pick. -- Biancardi8. Moustapha Thiam, MichiganTransfer | CenterIf Thiam can pick up where he left off last season at Cincinnati, Mike Boynton should have one of the best big men in the country. Thiam averaged 18.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his final eight games with the Bearcats, including a massive 28-point performance against Kansas. -- Borzello9. PJ Haggerty, Texas A&MTransfer | GuardA&M will be Haggerty's fifth school in five seasons, and he has been an ultra-productive high-usage player at each of his past three. He's averaging 21.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists collectively, including career highs in scoring (23.4 PPG) and assists (3.8 APG) last season. Haggerty should thrive in Bucky McMillan's up-tempo system in College Station. -- Borzello10. Tounde Yessoufou, St. John'sTransfer | GuardWhen it comes to pure buckets, it doesn't get much better than Yessoufou. He's a former five-star recruit who averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds at Baylor before withdrawing from the NBA draft at the deadline. There's a good chance he leads the Red Storm in scoring this season. -- Borzello11. Keyshawn Hall, St. John's*Transfer | ForwardHall is another player at his fifth school in five years, though he's facing an eligibility battle in order to suit up for Rick Pitino and the Red Storm. He's coming off the best season of his career, with averages of 16.3 points and 6.5 rebounds at Auburn. Given the summer injury to Donnie Freeman, Pitino needs Hall available to produce up front. -- Borzello12. Juke Harris, TennesseeTransfer | GuardHarris made a huge jump between his freshman and sophomore years at Wake Forest, going from 6.1 points to 21.4 points and playing like one of the nation's elite scorers. With more talent and depth around him on the perimeter in Knoxville, Harris likely won't see the same high usage he did last season, but his efficiency should improve. -- Borzello13. Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, DukeFreshman | ForwardBoumtje Boumtje would've been in the conversation to be the No. 1 draft pick in 2026 if he was eligible. At just 17 years old and 7-foot-2, 250 pounds, he has desirable passing touch, scoring ability and basketball IQ. Duke's frontcourt depth will allow Boumtje Boumtje to adjust to the college game's physicality and defensive schemes. Once that happens, he'll be a consistent presence. -- Biancardi14. Stefan Vaaks, IllinoisTransfer | guardVaaks will add to the European influence in Champaign, as the Estonia native joins David Mirkovic and the rest of the stars that led the Illini to the Final Four last season. At 6-7 with legitimate playmaking chops, Vaaks is a matchup problem for opponents. He averaged 15.8 points and 3.2 assists at Providence last season. -- Borzello15. Darrion Williams, Texas Tech*Transfer | forwardWilliams was solid at NC State last season, averaging 14.0 points and shooting 40.4% from 3. But it was his 2024-25 campaign in a Texas Tech uniform that has Grant McCasland so eager to get him cleared for a fifth year of eligibility. He was a first-team All-Big 12 performer, leading Tech to an Elite Eight appearance. -- Borzello16. Acaden Lewis, MiamiTransfer | GuardLewis should help Miami at both ends of the floor, as a playmaker and scorer and as a disruptive defender. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals last season at Villanova, with at least 20 points in seven games. Given the success Jai Lucas had in the portal a year ago, there should be plenty of optimism for Lewis this time around. -- Borzello17. Bruce Branch III, BYUFreshman | GuardBranch reclassified up from the 2027 class last November, and BYU courted him to replace star AJ Dybantsa. Branch brings an NBA small forward's game and excels in the midrange when curling off pin-downs. There should be plenty of room for production in the Cougars' fast-paced offensive system. A high lottery pick in 2027 is his draft range. -- Biancardi18. Quinn Ellis, St. John'sInternational | GuardRick Pitino is expecting Ellis to be one of the best point guards in the Big East. It's why the Red Storm were anxiously awaiting his eligibility clearance -- which finally came in mid-October. Ellis comes over from Europe with a trophy case filled with championships and individual honors, the most decorated overseas prospect to play college basketball in a long time. -- Borzello19. Quentin Coleman, IllinoisFreshman | GuardLike Keaton Wagler, Coleman broke out as a high school senior before decommitting from Wake Forest and choosing Illinois. The No. 24 recruit is a high-motor, two-way guard who embraces scoring and defending, yet also shows terrific playmaking instincts when needed. NBA scouts already appreciate his effort, skill and competitiveness. If he continues developing, Coleman is on pace to become a lottery pick in June. -- Biancardi20. Massamba Diop, GonzagaTransfer | CenterDiop will be fascinating to follow this season. His ceiling is sky-high as a 7-1 center who showed impressive flashes last season as a freshman at Arizona State. Diop averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks -- headlined by 22 points and nine rebounds against BYU in January -- and will now team up with Braden Huff for what could be a dominant interior duo. -- Borzello21. David Punch, TexasTransfer | ForwardPunch will bring toughness, defensive versatility and paint scoring to Sean Miller's new-look Longhorns. At 6-7 and 245 pounds, he can be a load to handle in the paint. Last season at TCU, he ranked among the top 15 of the Big 12 in both block rate and steal rate, and averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds. -- Borzello22. Paulius Murauskas, Arizona StateTransfer | ForwardMurauskas followed Randy Bennett from Saint Mary's and will look to continue the success he had in Moraga. The 6-8 Lithuania native averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season, earning All-WCC honors -- and he should be the most impactful of the Sun Devils' newcomers. -- Borzello23. Isaiah Johnson, TexasTransfer | GuardJohnson was one of the more surprising freshmen nationally last season, an unranked recruit coming out of high school who proceeded to average 16.9 points and 3.0 assists at Colorado. Sean Miller has put together one of the more talented rosters in the country, filled with offensive talent, so expect Johnson's scoring numbers to take a slight dip while his assist numbers rise. -- Borzello24. Jackson Shelstad, LouisvilleTransfer | GuardShelstad was one of the best guards in the Big Ten the past two seasons while at Oregon, earning third-team all-league honors as a sophomore before averaging 15.6 points and 4.9 assists through 12 games last season. He then suffered a hand injury in December and missed the rest of the season. Pat Kelsey will let Shelstad push the pace offensively. -- Borzello25. Aiden Sherrell, IndianaTransfer | ForwardDarian DeVries wanted more size and production from his frontcourt this season, and he gets it in Sherrell, who emerged as one of the most sought-after bigs in the portal following a season in which he averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks at Alabama. He had three double-doubles in his final 10 games, including 15 points and 15 rebounds against Hofstra in the NCAA tournament. -- Borzello26. Na'jai Hines, UConnTransfer | CenterDan Hurley and UConn are betting that Hines' numbers skyrocket with more minutes. At the very least, he's going to anchor the Huskies' defense after ranking second nationally in block rate (he blocked 2.2 shots in just 18 minutes per game) last season at Seton Hall. It's also worth noting he excelled in his two games against UConn last season, posting a double-double in late February. -- Borzello27. Jaxon Kohler, BYU*Transfer | CenterKohler slots perfectly into BYU's starting lineup if eligible for a fifth season. He had a breakout season a year ago at Michigan State, averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds to go with 38.9% 3-point shooting. The Cougars will have one of the most dangerous attacks in the country with Kohler in the fold, giving Kevin Young a fourth high-level offensive threat. -- Borzello28. Dedan Thomas Jr., HoustonTransfer | GuardHad Thomas stayed healthy all of last season, LSU might have been in the postseason and Matt McMahon might still be in Baton Rouge. That's how important he was to the Tigers. But a hand injury limited Thomas to just 16 games, in which he averaged 15.3 points and 6.5 assists. Kelvin Sampson has him lined up as the replacement to Kingston Flemings. -- Borzello29. Donovan Dent, LSU*Transfer | GuardWhen 13.3 points and 7.6 assists (ranking fourth in the country) is considered a down season, it's clear we're dealing with one of the best point guards in the sport. Dent, who's currently seeking a fifth season of eligibility through the courts, won Mountain West Player of the Year in 2024-25 at New Mexico after posting 20.4 points and 6.4 assists, then went to UCLA. He had 89 assists and just eight turnovers over his final 10 games. -- Borzello30. Markus Burton, IndianaTransfer | GuardIf Burton can stay healthy for the entire season, Darian DeVries should have one of the best playmakers in the Big Ten. The 6-footer averaged 19.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists during his 69 games at Notre Dame over the past three seasons but missed a large part of the past two campaigns because of injuries. -- Borzello31. Neo Avdalas, North CarolinaTransfer | GuardThere were times last season when Avdalas looked like a surefire first-round NBA draft pick at Virginia Tech. There were other times he struggled to make anything resembling an impact at the ACC level. Can Michael Malone get the best out of him? Early signs are positive. Avdalas has elite size and skill for the position, and he went for 15 points and five assists in a preseason exhibition win over USC. -- Borzello32. Jaylen Petty, UCLATransfer | GuardMick Cronin has not attempted to hide his enthusiasm over Petty's potential this season, which shouldn't be a surprise given how the guard performed down the stretch at Texas Tech in 2025-26. He averaged 11.2 points and shot nearly 39% from 3 in 22 games as a starter, including 24 points in an NCAA tournament win over Akron. -- Borzello33. Miles Sadler, West VirginiaFreshman | GuardSadler ended his high school career with a Chipotle Nationals championship and is one of a few freshmen who will be relied upon more to make an impact right away. The undersized guard is a clever player who is tough to contain in transition because of his speed, court sense and passing. Sadler will have the ball in his hands and earn Ross Hodge's trust. -- Biancardi34. Derek Dixon, ArizonaTransfer | GuardAll signs point to a breakout season for Dixon as Arizona's full-time starting point guard. He had moved into North Carolina's lineup midway through last season, averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 41% from 3 in 16 games as a starter. In Tucson, he should complement Caleb Holt exceptionally well in the backcourt, giving Tommy Lloyd two big guards who can make plays at both ends of the floor. - Borzello35. Kayden Mingo, BaylorTransfer | GuardMingo had an underrated freshman season at Penn State and is now generating positive offseason buzz since arriving in Waco. He was productive in 2025-26, averaging 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals -- but his numbers were even better before he missed three games with an injury midway through the campaign. He'll team up with his brother, five-star recruit Dylan Mingo, in the Bears' backcourt. -- Borzello36. Nikola Kusturica, UCLAInternational | ForwardKusturica fits the Bruins' identity: tough, mature and competitive. The 6-9 wing joins Trent Perry and Jaylen Petty on the perimeter and is a difficult matchup because of his shifty handle, deceptive speed and ability to finish through contact. Expect the 17-year-old to take on a high-usage role, score in double figures and contend for Big Ten Freshman of the Year. -- Biancardi37. J.P. Estrella, MichiganTransfer | ForwardGiven the leaps that Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin took after transferring to Michigan over the past two years, perhaps Estrella (and Thiam) will be next in line. Estrella was incredibly efficient at Tennessee last season, averaging 10.0 points and 5.4 rebounds despite playing just 18 minutes per game. He's elite on the offensive glass and shot 60% from the field. -- Borzello38. Cruz Davis, Texas TechTransfer | GuardDavis' role in Lubbock will ultimately be determined by whether Texas Tech's five-for-five hopefuls are granted eligibility. If neither Donovan Atwell, Darrion Williams nor Jamichael Stillwell suit up, Davis will be relied upon for plenty of scoring -- an area in which he proved himself at Hofstra, where he won CAA Player of the Year and averaged 20.1 points. If all three are eligible, he'll facilitate a bit more. -- Borzello39. Delrecco Gillespie, HoustonTransfer | CenterKelvin Sampson's teams are generally dominant on the glass, and Gillespie was one of the nation's top rebounders a season ago at Kent State. He averaged 17.7 points and 11.3 rebounds, ranking fourth in the country in the latter category while also ranking seventh in defensive rebound rate. He draws fouls, blocks shots and gets second-chance opportunities. Sounds like a perfect fit for the Cougars. -- Borzello40. Jaland Lowe, GeorgetownTransfer | GuardLowe was a third-team All-ACC selection at Pitt in 2024-25, putting up 16.8 points and 5.5 assists and looking like one of the best point guards in the portal when he committed to Kentucky. But he played just nine games in Lexington due to injury, and then hit the portal again. Ed Cooley is counting on Lowe to run the show for the Hoyas. -- Borzello 41. Terrence Hill Jr., TennesseeTransfer | GuardHill was one of the early-round stars of last year's NCAA tournament, scoring 34 points for VCU in the Rams' win over North Carolina. He parlayed that performance -- and a first-team all-conference season in which he averaged 15.0 points -- into a spot at Tennessee. Rick Barnes has assembled a highly talented group of scorers, but Hill's playmaking and ability to get his own shot outside of structure should earn him a starting spot. -- Borzello42. Marcis Ponder, Florida StateFreshman | CenterPonder made headlines in the Seminoles' exhibition win over Auburn with 13 points and 21 rebounds, but he has been a known commodity in recruiting circles for years. A top-50 prospect coming out of high school, Ponder is a massive 6-11, 300-pound center who overwhelms opponents physically and should be one of the most dominant offensive rebounders in the country. -- Borzello 43. Miles Byrd, ProvidenceTransfer | GuardUnder Bryan Hodgson last season, South Florida ranked in the top 50 nationally in defensive turnover percentage -- and Byrd should be a perfect fit for the same system Hodgson is bringing to Providence. Byrd is one of the elite defensive playmakers in college basketball, leading the Mountain West in steal percentage in each of the past two seasons and also ranking third in block rate last season at San Diego State. -- Borzello44. KJ Lewis, USCTransfer | GuardLewis has spent most of the offseason recovering from the ankle injury he suffered toward the end of last season, but he will bring needed physicality and toughness to the Trojans' perimeter when he's fully healthy. He transferred from Arizona to Georgetown in the spring of 2025 and averaged 14.9 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Hoyas. -- Borzello45. Zoom Diallo, KentuckyTransfer | GuardIt will be interesting to see how Diallo and Furman transfer Alex Wilkins coexist in the backcourt, as both are aggressive and dynamic with the ball in their hands, but there's no denying the pure talent levels. Diallo, in particular, is a proven power conference producer, averaging 15.7 points and 4.5 assists last season at Washington. -- Borzello46. Nik Khamenia, UConnTransfer | ForwardReplacing a program legend like Alex Karaban was never going to be easy. But when asked earlier this month about Khamenia filling Karaban's shoes, Dan Hurley said, "If there was ever a guy to try to replace the Karaban impact and effect, I think we probably went with the right guy in Nik. So if you're going to try to catch lightning in a bottle, he's the guy." Khamenia is a former five-star recruit who didn't showcase his full potential last season at Duke but averaged 10.7 points in an increased role in the ACC tournament. -- Borzello47. Money Williams, Boston CollegeTransfer | GuardBoston College is completely rebuilding in Luke Murray's first season at the helm, and Williams is the best bet of the 11 newcomers to put up numbers -- although international arrival Zak Smrekar is also generating buzz. Williams was a two-time All-Big Sky selection at Montana, averaging 20.6 points and 4.7 assists last season and scoring 40 points in a conference tournament win. He'll run the show in Chestnut Hill and should be one of the best point guards in the ACC. -- Borzello48. Luigi Suigo, VillanovaInternational | CenterSuigo attended the NBA draft combine in May, measured at nearly 7-3 and looked like a potential first-round pick -- but opted to withdraw from the draft and head to Villanova. Kevin Willard has raved about Suigo's hands and passing ability, and Suigo also put up solid per-minute rebounding and shot-blocking numbers with Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League. -- Borzello49. Marcus Spears Jr., TexasFreshman | ForwardSpears was the No. 1 prospect in 2027 when he forfeited his senior season to reclassify up and join the Longhorns. At 6-9, he has great mobility and speed and a game that relies heavily on defense and rebounding, though he's expanding his offensive game. With two years of development -- he's not eligible for the 2027 draft because of his age (17) -- he could show flashes of brilliance in Year 1 before breaking out as a sophomore. -- Biancardi50. Seth Trimble, Louisville*Transfer | GuardPat Kesley spared no expense in building a team that should be a threat to make a deep March run, and Trimble will be a key part of that group if he's eligible. The North Carolina transfer is coming off his best season, averaging 14.0 points and 3.0 assists and developing into a consistent two-way player. -- Borzello15 sleeper newcomersDaKari Spear, Texas TechFreshman | GuardSpear isn't afraid to let it fly. Cracking the Red Raiders' experienced rotation of guards Cruz Davis, Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn, Damarion Dennis and potentially Donovan Atwell won't be easy, but Spear is plenty willing to take on a challenge. His floor spacing and defensive acumen should help him eventually find opportunities alongside scorers Darrion Williams (potentially) and JT Toppin. -- BiancardiGavin Placide, Wake ForestFreshman | ForwardThe Demon Deacons have frontcourt openings, giving Placide an opportunity to contribute immediately with his offensive rebounding and finishing ability. According to Cerebro Sports, he ranked fourth in rebounding (7.2 per game) in the 2025-26 Nike Scholastic EYBL and has the versatility to play multiple frontcourt positions. Placide should also benefit from pick-and-roll opportunities with Merrimack transfer Kevair Kennedy, who averaged 4.2 assists last season. -- BiancardiSonny Wilson, South FloridaTransfer | GuardWilson was one of the steals of the transfer portal, a two-time All-MAC performer at Toledo who opted not to go to a power-conference program. He averaged 17.0 points and 4.6 assists last season, shooting nearly 38% from 3, all career highs. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Wilson, UAB's Justyn Fernandez (transfer from Delaware) and Memphis' Tylik Weeks (transfer from Southern Miss) battle for American Newcomer of the Year -- and potentially Player of the Year. -- Borzello Jaquan Johnson, Iowa StateTransfer | GuardAlthough Tamin Lipsey is currently eligible to play for the Cyclones, Johnson is arguably the most like-for-like replacement for Lipsey out of the portal. The 5-11 point guard averaged 16.9 points, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals last season at Bradley, and his aggressiveness defensively will fit Iowa State's ball pressure. The two of them together would be a nightmare for opposing ball handlers. -- BorzelloTrey Pearson, High PointFreshman | GuardPearson was a coup for Flynn Clayman and High Point, a four-star recruit who was a well-established producer on the Nike EYBL circuit and became one of the highest-ranked prospects to ever commit to a Big South program. Pearson holds the Peach Jam record for assists in a single game and is also a terrific defender. -- BorzelloFelipe Quinones, Florida AtlanticFreshman | GuardAnother SC Next 100 recruit who went outside the power conference structure, Quinones brings 6-5 size and high-level passing ability to the backcourt. Head coach John Jakus is not tempering the expectations, telling the Field of 68 recently that Quinones would be the Freshman of the Year in the American "unless something crazy happens." -- BorzelloCarlos Medlock Jr., Michigan StateFreshman | GuardMedlock will open the season behind potential Player of the Year favorite Jeremy Fears Jr., but expect Tom Izzo to utilize some two-point-guard lineups with both of them on the floor. There have been consistent offseason murmurs about Medlock's ability: He's incredibly quick, can get by his defenders off the bounce and is an adept playmaker. His best years in East Lansing will likely come after this season, but don't discount a major impact to start, either. -- Borzello Cameron Holmes and Maksim Brnovic, ArizonaFreshmen | ForwardsWith former Clemson forward RJ Godfrey's five-for-five eligibility up in the air, one of these two freshmen is likely to start up front for a Final Four-caliber team. Holmes brings versatility offensively, capable of making shots from the perimeter or getting to the rim off the bounce. Meanwhile, Brnovic is a high-ceiling prospect from Lithuania who has generated some buzz from NBA personnel in the preseason. -- Borzello Dhani Miller, Kent StateFreshman | GuardThe highest-ranked recruit in Kent State history, Miller was an SC Next 100 recruit who helped carry Montverde Academy (Florida) to the Chipotle Nationals championship game. He averaged 22.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in three tournament games after posting 16.5 points during this past high school season. -- Borzello Eli Sancomb, LibertyFreshman | GuardA four-star recruit and the highest-rated prospect in program history, Sancomb won Gatorade Player of the Year in West Virginia in both 2025 and 2026. He's considered one of the best passers in the class and also offers 6-5 size, excellent feel for the game and consistent 3-point shooting ability. -- BorzelloDrew Scharnowski, DukeTransfer | ForwardOn a Duke team with three returning starters, an elite portal guard and the nation's No. 2 recruiting class, one would be forgiven for thinking Scharnowski wouldn't be more than a rotation piece after transferring from Belmont. But Jon Scheyer has been effusive in his praise of Scharnowski and there have been some whispers he could play an extensive role when healthy. -- BorzelloAnthony Felesi, Oklahoma StateFreshman | Guard/ForwardFelesi led the Cowboys in minutes and points in their exhibition game against New Mexico. While that might not be an exact indication of how things will go during the regular season, it's clear he will have an impact for Steve Lutz's team. He's a former top-60 recruit who originally committed to Pitt and then ultimately signed with Oklahoma State. He's a two-way impact player. -- Borzello Guillaume Grotzinger, Loyola ChicagoInternational | GuardThe Frenchman should be one of the most exciting backcourt players in the Atlantic 10. The 6-1 guard has high-level speed with the ball in his hands and can finish above the rim. Drew Valentine and the Ramblers need a bounceback year, and turning the offense over to Grotzinger -- who was productive in France's second division last season -- will certainly ignite the attack. -- Borzello Dionte Neal, UNC GreensboroFreshman | GuardNeal is only 5-9, but he won Gatorade Player of the Year honors in North Carolina in each of the past two seasons and consistently produced against high-caliber competition on the Nike EYBL circuit. New Spartans coach Jerod Haase made it a priority to keep Neal's commitment following the coaching change, and the expectation is the four-star guard could have a big first season for the program. -- BorzelloCole Cloer, AlabamaTransfer | ForwardCloer was considered one of best shooters in the 2026 class before he opted to graduate high school early and enroll at NC State at the semester break last season. He then redshirted with the Wolfpack before entering the transfer portal and heading to Tuscaloosa. The former top-25 recruit is the best shooter among Alabama's wing options, which should lead to immediate playing time. -- Borzello
