10 names to know heading into the College Basketball Crown

The 2025 College Basketball Crown is set to get underway on Monday in Las Vegas as 16 teams battle for the right to be crowned champion.

The first-year event features plenty of star power, including Eric Dixon at Villanova and Tyson Degenhart at Boise State.

Before the action gets underway, here is a look at 10 names to know heading into the College Basketball Crown.

Pierre Brooks , Butler

Brooks transferred to Butler last year after spending his first two seasons at Michigan State. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound forward has blossomed into a star, averaging 15.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game this season for the Bulldogs. Brooks has scored 20 or more points on nine separate occasions this year, including a 30-point performance against fellow Crown participant Georgetown.

Rafael Castro , George Washington

Castro is a double-double threat every time he steps on the court. The 6-foot-11, 220-pound junior is averaging 14.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for the Revolutionaries this season. He has posted 13 double-doubles this year, including a 22-point, 16-rebound performance in a win over A-10 foe La Salle earlier this month. A Castro vs. Degenhart matchup could be special in the opening round of the tournament.

Desmond Claude , USC

The 6-foot-6 junior guard was one of the top transfers in the Big Ten this season. After spending two seasons at Xavier, Claude made an immediate impact during his first season with the Trojans, averaging a team-high 16.3 points and 4.3 assists. He teamed up with Wesley Yates III to form one of the top backcourts in the nation this season. Look for Claude to put on a show in Sin City.

Tyson Degenhart , Boise State

One of the top players in this event, Degenhart was a first-team