The 2026 NBA Draft has officially come and gone, with many already providing early looks towards the 2027 draft. Once again, it’ll be led by star college basketball freshmen, including No. 1 class of 2026 high school prospect, Tyran Stokes.
But there will also be plenty of players currently in college who are set to be breakout players and see their respective stocks rise a year from now. This piece will focus on the way-too-early returning college basketball players most likely to be first-round picks in the 2027 NBA Draft.
1. Braylon Mullins - UConn Huskies
2025-26 stats: 12 ppg and 3.5 rpg
Mullins is a 6’6 guard who showed real flashes as a high volume scorer, including a trio of 25-point games and 8+ points in all six NCAA Tournament outings. With both Alex Karaban and Tarrie Reed gone, combined with starting guard Solomon Ball set to miss next year with a wrist injury, it’s set up nicely for Mullins to be the focal point for UConn hoops, with his draft stock benefiting greatly.
2. Amari Allen - Alabama Crimson Tide
2025-26 stats: 11.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, and 3.1 apg
Allen showed he’s a skilled guard/wing as a freshman at Alabama and will be due a much larger role, with Labaron Philon off to the NBA. The 6’8 playmaker shot 34% from deep on 4.3 attempts a game and if that improves just a bit, Allen will be a lock to be in the lottery next year.
3. Motiejus Krivas - Arizona Wildcats
2025-26 stats: 10.4 ppg and 8.2 rpg
As we saw in the recent NBA playoffs and draft, the importance for bigs has risen. That’s good news for Krivas, a 7’2 center and All-Big 12 player who shot 57% from the field. With Tobe Awaka and Koa Peat gone, the senior big man will have his largest role in an offense to date. If his rim running improves, Krivas also can be in the lottery mix.
4. Thomas Haugh - Florida Gators
2025-26 stats: 17.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg
Haugh’s scoring production almost doubled this past season, shooting 46% from the field and 33% from deep on over five attempts a game. The 6’9 skilled forward was an All-American and had 13 games of at least 20 points. His role isn’t likely to get much bigger so Haugh’s goal will be just to be more efficient in his scoring, as he’s great in every other category that scouts would want.
5. Dame Sarr - Duke Blue Devils
2025-26 stats: 6.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg
Sarr is a 6’8 wing who was good as advertised on defense, earning All-ACC honors on that end. But he struggles on offense, shooting just 40% from the field and 32% from deep on 133 total attempts. Sarr only had eight double-digit scoring outings and needs to show more on that side of the ball but he’s a quality “3 and D” candidate if the shot can go in on a consistent basis.
6. Tounde Yessoufou - St. John’s Red Storm
2025-26 stats (Baylor): 17.8 ppg and 5.9 rpg
The 6’5 guard/wing showed he can score as a freshman but the shooting was an issue, making just 29% of his attempts from deep on 181 total attempts. Now at St. John’s, Yessoufou has the chance to improve not only with that but on defense. If he can, his stock can rise as much as anyone among the returning players.
7. Malachi Moreno - Kentucky Wildcats
2025-26 stats: 7.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg
The 7’0 center nearly left for the draft after his first year after a solid campaign, starting 30 games and shooting 58% from the field. Moreno will have a larger role with Brandon Garrison gone and already has the measureables and athleticism to be a coveted center prospect for the pros. With more production, Moreno can be a guaranteed top-20 caliber pick.
8. Patrick Ngongba - Duke Blue Devils
2025-26 stats: 10.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg
Ngongba is a former five-star prospect who is a strong defender and rim runner. With Maliq Brown and Cameron Boozer gone, look for the junior big man to have his largest role yet to showcase his underrated skillset, including his passing.
9. Alijah Arenas - USC Trojans
2025-26 stats: 14.1 ppg and 2.1 apg
Recovering from an offseason knee injury, Arenas still managed to show a natural scoring ability, including three straight games of 24+ points in league play. However, he only shot 34% from the field, which was going to prevent him from being a serious first-round candidate. With a much better supporting cast, including Rodney Rice returning from injury himself, Arenas' efficiency should take a large jump in the positive direction for next year.
10. Davis Fogle - Gonzaga Bulldogs
2025-26 stats: 8.6 ppg and 3.1 rpg
A season-ending injury to Braden Huff gave Fogle extended minutes, with him having eight games of 15+ points. The 6’7 guard is a natural breakout candidate to watch and looks to boost his 35% three-point shooting numbers to turn into a coveted scoring wing option for the NBA, as soon as next year.
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