Now that August has arrived, we continue to inch closer to the start of the 2026-27 men's college basketball season. Along with that is a lot to look forward to, such as these 10 players. This is a list of players that intrigue me in one or multiple ways. Whether it's a transfer in a new place, someone poised for a breakout season, or one that's under pressure to perform, these players are full of intrigue.
Miika Muurinen - forward, Arkansas
Miika Muurinen is a 19-year-old from Finland who committed to Arkansas in late April as a 5-star recruit. Personally, I am more intrigued by him than any other incoming freshman in college basketball this season. He was the youngest player at EuroBasket 2025 last summer, and he had a good role on a Finnish team that finished 4th, the country's best-ever EuroBasket finish. His contributions earned him the first-ever EuroBasket Rising Star award. His 6.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game were accompanied by flashy dunks and blocks, making some great highlight reel plays against Europe's best players.
Nikolas Khamenia - forward, UConn
Nikolas Khamenia was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school last year. He came off the bench for the Blue Devils and played well in the role that he was given. He didn't have to leave Durham, but he did. He'll have a much bigger role this year at UConn. With Alex Karaban's legendary career over, Khamenia should slot right into that starting lineup. He could be in line for a breakout season under the tutelage of Dan Hurley.
Omer Mayer - guard, Purdue
As a point guard, there aren't many bigger shoes to fill than those of the NCAA's all-time assists leader. But that's exactly what Omer Mayer is going to try to do as he takes over point guard duties from Braden Smith. Mayer spent his freshman season at Purdue backing up Smith, but will have a significantly bigger role this season. It's a lot of pressure, especially with top 40 freshman Luke Ertel trying to give him some competition.
Jahki Howard - forward, LIU
Jahki Howard is hoping to be one of those cases where a once highly touted high school recruit goes to a mid-major and revives his college basketball career. He started at Auburn, where he didn't have as big of a role as he might've thought, and then transferred to Utah, where he played even less. Now he's back in his home state of New York at LIU, a program that's coming off an NEC championship and its best season in over a decade.
Alijah Arenas - guard, USC
Alijah Arenas is the highest rated recruit from the Class of 2025 that is not now in the NBA. The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was limited to just 14 games as a freshman after he was almost killed in a car accident. Despite being incredibly inefficient he did show some flashes of the potential and raw talent that he possess. He also won't have to be "the guy" with Rodney Rice back and other players coming in, so he can ease into things and shouldn't have too much pressure placed on him at the beginning.
Braylon Mullins - guard, UConn
Braylon Mullins is the most established player on this list. He had a great freshman season at UConn, helping to lead the team back to the Final Four in his home of Indiana. That's not to mention the insane shot he hit in the Elite Eight game to beat Duke and advance to Indy (I was there and I still can't believe that finish). But now, with Alex Karaban and Tarris Reed Jr. off to the NBA and Solo Ball out for the year due to wrist surgery, this team now belongs to Mullins.
Eric Reibe - center, USC
Centers have flourished at UConn under head coach Dan Hurley. Donovan Clingan, Tarris Reed Jr, Adama Sanogo, etc. have all done extremely well under Hurley's coaching. That is what makes Eric Reibe's decision to transfer baffling to me. The sophomore from Germany will have to have a great year at USC to justify leaving such a perfect situation in Storrs.
Paulius Murauskas - forward, Arizona State
Lithuanian senior Paulius Murauskas was the highest-rated mid-major player to enter the transfer portal this spring, deciding to follow Randy Bennett to Arizona State. He had a very limited role as a freshman at Arizona, but was fantastic the past two seasons at Saint Mary's. If the transition to the Big 12 goes smoothly for both him and his head coach, Murauskas could throw his hat in the ring for some national awards.
Terrence Hill Jr. - guard, Tennessee
VCU head coach Phil Martelli Jr. gave Terrence Hill Jr. a much bigger role as a sophomore and he did not regret it. Hill had a breakout season, leading the Rams in points and assists. He led the team to an upset of 6 seed UNC (and got Hubert Davis fired) with a stellar 34 point/5 rebound/5 assist performance in the NCAA Tournament. Now he's part of the second best transfer class and will hope to help Rick Barnes and Tennessee finally get to the Final Four.
Cruz Davis - guard, Texas Tech
Cruz Davis has spent his collegiate career so far bouncing around the northeast (so geographically it's weird to see him go to TTU). He was with Rick Pitino at Iona and then followed him to St. John's where he only played in six games. He spent the last two years at Hofstra dominating the CAA. He was the player of the year in the conference last season (and the scholar athlete of the year) after averaging 20.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, and leading the Pride to a CAA championship. Texas Tech is the kind of system that he can flourish in, so it will be really exciting to see how he does in it.
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