2026-27 men's college basketball preseason top 100 players - ESPN

We've never had a top-100 list like this. Ever.

This year's ranking of the 100 best players entering the 2026-27 men's college basketball season includes a mix of top-tier freshmen, the best returners in America, rising stars who could break out and multiple players who could have their seasons blocked by a judge.

You can't tell the story of this season without mentioning Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith Jr. and a loaded freshman class. You also can't paint the full picture of the season ahead without discussing Jeremy Fears Jr., Thomas Haugh, Milan Momcilovic and others who collected significant NIL fees to return to college basketball. And you can't discuss this year's campaign without a conversation about Seth Trimble, Mark Mitchell, Robbie Avila, Tamin Lipsey and the other players fighting for a fifth season of college basketball.

Yes, we've taken the stance that the players who graduated high school in 2022 and were excluded by the NCAA's new five-in-five rules, are still eligible — despite the legal uncertainties. If there are developments that say otherwise, we'll make adjustments.

At its heart, this remains our attempt to assess the current talent pool in a weird preseason for college basketball. Please don't sue the messenger.

The incoming five-star, 6-foot point guard was a consistent riser over the latter part of his high school career, including a dominant run during Bella Vista Prep's run to the Chipotle Nationals championship and a 29-point, 7-assist performance for the World team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April. He is incredibly quick with the ball in his hands, and is adept at getting into the lane and creating for himself or teammates. — Borzello

Grunloh, a 7-footer from Germany, started all 36 games for