Boozer, Dibantsa, Peterson… Ten players to watch in the NCAA

After Florida’s title last April, college basketball is renewing its rights in the United States. The season continues this Monday with a game between Queen’s University and Winthrop at 2 p.m.

More than this very anecdotal confrontation, the 2025/26 financial year promises to be very open. While Duke and Cooper Flagg focused a lot of attention last season, few players can claim to be selected with the first pick in the next draft. Other players will certainly be talked about for player of the year, if they don’t make it to the top of the next number of rookies. Here are ten profiles you can follow.

Cameron Boozer (Duke)

Ailier-fort – 2.06m – 113kg – freshman

If you’ve been following basketball and the NBA for a few years now, it’s impossible not to raise an eyebrow at Boozer’s name. Like Carlos Boozer, former Duke player and author of a great NBA career, especially with the Cavaliers, Jazz or Bulls. But also like his sons Cameron and Kaydenthe Blue Devils’ new leading recruits.

Cameron has impressed for several years, especially with the US national team. Top 3 in his promotion according to ESPN, he already did well in the preseason with 33 points and 12 rebounds against UCF, followed by a XXL double-double: 24 points and 23 rebounds against Tennessee. Impressive in its activity, equipped with a large and solid offensive panel, Cameron Boozer is (very) ahead of his years.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=keedeIUt3IM

AJ Dibantsa (BIU)

Ailier – 2.06m – 95kg – freshman

The country’s main hope for two years (he already dominated the 2024 Hoop Summit, competing alongside Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey), AJ Dibants was one of the most followed high school students for several years. His arrival in the NCAA, however, faces the rise of other prospects of his generation. But his title MVP at the U19 Worlds last summer he recalled the talent of future winger Brigham Young.

Worryingly easy to attack the circle, AJ Dibanca needs to capitalize on his collegiate season further polish your game whether it’s her mechanics and shot selection, or her defense where the potential is real but still underutilized. His 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks in the preseason against North Carolina are more than encouraging in that regard.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=G1z-dHKiev0

Isaiah Evans (Duke)

Wing – 1.98 m – 82 kg – Second class

A high school star when he joined the Blue Devils, Isaiah Evans found himself caught up in Duke’s rotation deadlock in a season that also saw Cooper Flagg and Conn Knueppel on campus. The Boozer brothers arrived this summer, but Evans should change status and be one of coach John Scheier’s key players. Either way, it was good for him to stay another year in Durham, as his profile could appeal to recruiters.

A very good shooter – 41.6% on 3-pointers last season – he has not been intimidated by the slightest position, he just needs exposure to see his rating shine again (15.6 points average in five games in which he exceeded 20 minutes). He should be one of the big beneficiaries of Cameron Boozer’s appeal, and his 22 points in the preseason against Tennessee already seems to confirm that.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=S2rOI5Vn-8v

Jaxel Landeborg (Michigan)

Ailier-fort – 2.06m – 109kg – Senior

Jaakel Landeborg could have hoped to have his name called at the end of the first round of the last draft, or even slip to the beginning of the second round. But he preferred it withdraw your name at the last minute to spend their sixth year at university (thanks to an exemption offered after the Covid-shortened season). The 23-year-old infielder (24 at the end of the season) is taking a risk: He’s taking the three million dollars (!!!) he earned thanks to the NIL and joining a big team to prove his worth, rather than a quasi-guaranteed selection between 20 and 40 in 2025.

The Wolverines have so much to look forward to Yakel Landeborg is one of the most complete big men in the NCAA with 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals last season, but with a much less prestigious UAB team. His first steps at Michigan are more than tantalizing with 25 points and 10 rebounds against St. John’s and 31 points and 12 rebounds against Cincinnati.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=Uh2binaV0kg

Derrin Peterson (Kansas)

Point guard – 1.98 m – 93 kg – Freshman

Andrew Wiggins, high school phenom and future number one draft pick? Joel Embiid, future NBA MVP? Or even Josh Jackson, Ben McLemore or Thomas Robinson, Jayhawks stars before being selected in the Top 10 of the draft? No, Bill Self, the legendary Kansas coach, is categorical. With Darrin Petersonhis university recruited ” the most talented freshman we’ve ever signed ».

A temporary favorite first call in the class of 2026 by Adam Silver, he is an athletic phenomenon, of rare agility and gifted with astonishing control of his body and rhythm. Averaging 30.4 points, 7.4 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals in high school, he already impressed by adding 26 points on 9/15 shooting (6/10 from long range, though not his forte) and 5 steals at Louisville in the preseason.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=mL8v9okIAiM

Tahaad Pettiford (Auburn)

Point guard – 1.85 m – 77 kg – Second grade

A combo guard in a pocket leader body, Tahaad Pettiford has already caught the eye of recruits during his first season with the Tigers. But he decided to spend another year at Auburn, despite a successful Draft Combine. The sixth man last season, he is now in charge of the offense of one of the best teams last season, with five starters leaving college. Tahaad Pettiford he must prove that he can be a team leader and not just a detonator. His explosiveness and offensive talent (17.3 points average during the March Madness national tournament) are solid guarantees.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=_lun0S9v_3I

LaBaron Fillon (Alabama)

Point guard – 1.93 m – 84 kg – Second grade

If Tahad Pettiford was intrigued by his particle accelerator profile, LaBaron Philoanother leader who withdrew his name from the draft at the last minute, is almost the complete opposite. The Crimson Tide player shines with his composure and mastery in the half-court rather than his verticality and outside shooting. LaBaron Fillon has one of the highest basketball IQs at his position in the NCAA, even if he still oscillates between a “pure” leader role and a creator role, whether at the 1 or 2 position.

A solid defender, he would undoubtedly have been drafted at the end of the first round last season, but he aims higher. The context in Alabama, where star Mark Sears completed his course, should help introduce it. If he can turn the corner in production, in a few months he will be one of the contenders for a spot in the Lottery.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=M5iKs4Ikf6E0

Braden Smith (Purdue)

Leader – 1.83 m – 77 kg – Senior

Not all NCAA stars are cut out to become NBA prospects. I’m not sure about that Braden Smith secures a spot in the next draft. As for a place in the annals of college basketball, that’s another story. Barring a tough shot, the bearded leader could break the NCAA career record for assists.

The second average in the major league last season (8.7 caviar per match), 319 passes behind the record of former Duke Bobby Hurley. That is six more than his total in 2024/25. Zach Eddy’s former pick-and-roll partner is the favorite for player of the season and was the AP’s only player to be unanimously selected on the season prediction team.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=JvTZj8EuzL0

Bennett Stirz (Iowa)

Leader – 1.93 m – 86 kg – Senior

A leader in Iowa, capable of big offensive bursts and scoring regardless of position? That could have been a description of Caitlin Clarke. But the attraction of the Hawkeyes this season is the name Bennett Stirtz.

Recruited from Drake’s humble programThe 22-year-old will discover a spotlight he has never enjoyed before. An anti-star par excellence, Bennett Stirtz is a hard worker with a torrid career (third college in his studies, including two years at Division II Northwest Missouri State). His offensive talent — 19.2 ppg on 49.8% shooting, 39.5% from 3-point range — and his tenacity (2.1 steals) could make him a solid option during the next draft despite his “advanced” years for a prospect.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=hmfVliNU-Bg

JT Toppin (Texas Tech)

Ailier-fort – 2.06m – 104kg – Junior

This time should be right for JT Toppin. The interior first declined an invite to the 2024 Draft Combine, before withdrawing his name from the Draft at the last minute in 2025 after a big season finish. Last season’s Big 12 conference player of the year wants to focus on further improvement, especially statistically, in order to increase his rating with scouts a little more. The 2024-25 campaign, however, was a very solid base with 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and some memorable outings such as 41 points and 15 rebounds against Arizona State. His pairing with German-American leader Christian Anderson, outstanding during the U19 World Cup this summer (18 points, 9 assists, 4 steals against Team USA in the final) should shine though.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=6kHEKSVj4H6M