Ranking of top 25 incoming freshman classes for 2025-26 season

Recruting is always a hot button issue in college basketball. Who are the best players? Who will make the biggest impact? There are recruiting rankings everywhere but those experts rank a class based on accumulation of talent. Busting Brackets has ranked the classes based on impact and how much these freshman will play and help their teams win.
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young calls to his team during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kevin Young calls to his team during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
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No. 5 BYU Cougars

Aj Dybantsa- 5 star- Consensus #1 in the country

Xavion Staton—4 star- # 36 nationally

Chamberlain Burgess- 3 star- #158 nationally

There are not many scenarios where I would have thought BYU would ever be able to secure the commitment from the top player in the country. Dybantsa is a program-changing talent, and with BYU already having a program-changing coach in Kevin Young, the sky is the limit for the Cougars.

The incoming freshman features two Day 1 starters in Dybantsa and Staton and one sure lottery pick. Staton has the chance to be a one-and-done, especially if he continues to show the same level of dominance in the Big 12 that he showed in high school. Dybantsa and Staton can both score at a high level and are both elite shot blockers and rebounders. BYU has the freshman and potential player of the year in their class this year.

No. 4 North Carolina Tar Heels

Caleb Wilson- 5 star- #5 nationally

Derek Dixon- 4 star- #43 nationally

Isaiah Denis- 4 star- # 67 nationally

It wasn't a season to remember for North Carolina and head coach Hubert Davis. Everything went wrong, but Coach Davis received an extension in the offseason and has a retooled roster headlined by three fantastic freshmen who are all expected to fit in nicely with the added transfers.

Wilson is a likely lottery pick, and his game reminds me a lot of Nikola Jokic. He can shoot, pass, and run the offense and is especially good around the basket. He fills a lot of voids for the Tar Heels. Dixon is a true point guard who can pass like Cadeau and has a ceiling of RJ Davis. Denis plays extremely fast all the time and can shoot exceptionally well. These are the three that the Heels can ride to glory.