College Hoops Takeover: The NCAA Prospects You NEED To Know About

Joel Piton
43 minutes ago
7 min read

NCAA basketball tips off soon, and each year a new crop of college hoopers rise from relative obscurity to national buzz: this season’s class is no different. These kids aren’t just playing for campus buzz or clout—they’re hungry and coming for the NBA. With confidence, skill, and pro-level talent, these prospects have shown flashes of greatness at the high school level and could shake up the 2026 draft and beyond. If you haven’t tapped into their play yet, it’s time. They mean business, and if their talent translates to the NCAA, the next generation of basketball is in phenomenal hands.

Darryn Peterson
— Kansas (SG)

Height: 6'5"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Bradley Beal

A Kansas freshman, five-star phenom Darynn Peterson is already being touted as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft—and it's not hard to see why. Peterson is the definition of a three-level scorer: explosive above the rim, confident from mid-range, and deadly from deep. His polish and poise on both ends of the floor scream two-way stud, and his basketball IQ gives him a maturity well beyond his age. Peterson's shot IQ is excellent, and he shot well over 50% at Prolific Prep. Paired with Elmarko Jackson, Peterson could form one of the most electric backcourts in all of college basketball—one you’ll want to tune into every night.

AJ Dybantsa
— BYU (SF)

Height: 6'9"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Tracy Mcgrady

Hailing from Utah Prep, AJ Dybantsa has the offensive bag of Devin Booker wrapped in a Jayson Tatum-sized frame. At 6’9”, Dybantsa can rise over virtually any defender and make tough shots look routine. He thrives in the mid-range, punishes closeouts from deep, and attacks the rim with highlight-reel athleticism. While shot selection can waver at times, his ability to convert difficult looks speaks volumes about his talent as a pure scorer. If he continues to fill out physically and commit to the weight room, it’s over—we’re talking about a future NBA star in the making.

Cameron Boozer
— Duke (PF)

Height: 6'9"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Paolo Banchero

The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, Cameron Boozer is cut from the same cloth—but he’s built for the modern NBA. While he shares his father’s position on the court at the power forward spot, Cam plays with a far more dynamic, high-tempo style that thrives on spacing and shot creation. A legitimate 40% shooter from deep, Boozer can pull up from anywhere and score fluidly off the ball. His feel for the game is exceptional and he consistently make the extra pass and read defenses like a veteran. The defensive side is still developing, but with his instincts and IQ, Boozer projects as a future two-way force at the next level.

Jayden Quaintance
— Kentucky (PF)

Height: 6'9"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Jaren Jackson Jr.

The most seasoned player on this list, Jayden Quaintance already has a year of college basketball experience under his belt after a promising freshman campaign at Arizona State. Now suiting up for Kentucky, he’s poised to anchor one of the deepest frontcourts in the country. A double-double machine, Quaintance thrives around the rim with soft touch and interior size, while showing budding confidence on mid-range jumpers. What truly sets him apart, though, is his defense. Despite reclassifying to play college ball at just 17 years old, he carried himself like a grown man—using his 7’3” wingspan to alter shots, switch across positions, and dominate the paint. If his trajectory continues, he could be one of the NCAA’s most complete two-way forwards and a future defensive anchor at the next level.

Nate Ament
— Tennessee (PF/SF)

Height: 6'10"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Zaccharie Risacher

Nate Ament is a smoking gun—a versatile forward who can light it up from anywhere on the floor. At 6’10”, his combination of size, guard-like skill, and defensive energy makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in college basketball. Ament is expected to be Tennessee’s primary offensive option this season, and with good reason: his smooth shooting stroke and ability to create mismatches make him nearly impossible to guard one-on-one. Still, there’s room to grow—he’s not a great rebounder yet, and his sub-200-pound frame can be exploited inside. But defensively, his instincts, hustle, and switchability more than make up for it. Once he adds muscle to match his skill, Ament could become one of the most complete forwards in the nation.

Koa Peat
— Arizona (PF)

Height: 6'9"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Julius Randle

Koa Peat is built like a player from a dfferent era—a powerful, 6’8” forward who thrives on physicality and consistency. A four-time Gold Medalist with Team USA, Peat brings an old-school flavor to a modern game, knocking down midrange jumpers off the pick-and-roll and bullying defenders in the post for tough buckets. He’s a walking double-double who embraces contact and has refined his handle and shooting touch over time. While his athleticism and lateral quickness raise questions about his long-term ceiling, Peat’s frame, IQ, and polished fundamentals make him a steady two-way contributor. He’s been productive at every level so far—and there’s no reason to think that stops once he suits up in Tucson.

Caleb Wilson
— North Carolina (PF)

Height: 6'10"

Age: 19

Pro Comp: Chris Webber

At 6’10” with a seven-foot wingspan, Caleb Wilson is a defensive menace capable of guarding all five positions. His length and timing made him a shot-blocking machine in high school, and that skill set could translate seamlessly at UNC, where he’ll anchor one of the most versatile frontcourts in the country. While questions remain about his jumper, Wilson has been working closely with NBA shooting coach Chris Matthews (aka Lethal Shooter) and early glimpses suggest real progress. If developing a consistent perimeter shot is his final hurdle, he’s already on the right path. Wilson’s work ethic is undeniable—he even skipped his summer break to begin training in Chapel Hill early—and that motor alone could make him one of college basketball’s breakout stars this season.

Mikel Brown Jr.
— Louisville (PG)

Height: 6'5"

Age: 19

Pro Comp: Darius Garland

A natural-born floor general, Mikel Brown Jr. is the definition of a pass-first point guard with an advanced feel for the game. His handle is elite—crossovers, hesitations, pull-ups, you name it, and his command of pace gives Louisville’s offense a rhythm few freshmen can provide. Brown can hit long-range jumpers with confidence, but his greatest gift is vision: he sees passing lanes before they open, operating with the precision of a young CP3. Recent improvements on the defensive end show a more complete, engaged version of his game, he was stealing the ball more his senior season and that two-way maturity could make him one of the ACC’s most valuable guards. The Cardinals have something special here—and if everything clicks, Brown has legitimate top-five pick potential.

Alijah Arenas
— USC (SG)

Height: 6'7"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Brandon Roy

The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, Alijah Arenas is built for the spotlight: and he’s battled to earn it. After recovering from a frightening car crash, the USC commit is gearing up for a comeback story worth watching. Though his full return may not happen this season, there’s no question about the impact he’ll make once he’s cleared to play. At 6’7”, Arenas is an oversized shooting guard with elite scoring instincts and unselfish playmaking ability. He averaged 33 points per game as a 15-year-old sophomore and he torches defenders at will with confidence that borders on fearless. That same mentality will serve him well as he continues to heal—because once he’s back, expect him to remind everyone just how unguardable he really is.

Tounde Yessoufou
— Baylor (SF)

Height: 6'5"

Age: 19

Pro Comp: Latrell Sprewell

Despite being an undersized small forward at just 6’5”, Tounde Yessoufou plays with power well beyond his frame. A relentless interior finisher with a knack for creating his own shot, Yessoufou combines strength, balance, and surprising ball-handling skills to keep defenders guessing. His defensive instincts are just as impressive—he’s shown real shot-blocking ability and positional awareness that make him more effective at the three than the two. The comparisons to VJ Edgecombe are fair, and while he’s still developing that consistent outside jumper, everything else in his game screams high-major impact player. Once the shot starts falling from deep he could be one of the most complete wings in the country.

Brayden Burries
— Arizona (PG/SG)

Height: 6'4"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Jamal Murray

A 6’4” sharpshooter and high school standout, Brayden Burries is a bucket—plain and simple. The combo guard was virtually unguardable at Eleanor Roosevelt High, blending a deep offensive arsenal with a smooth shooting touch and fearless drives to the rim. At 205 pounds, Burries has the frame and strength to bully smaller guards while maintaining the finesse to create his own shot. While he’s not a pass-first player just yet, his size and role at Arizona may demand more playmaking responsibility. Once he polishes that aspect of his game, Burries has the potential to be the total package—a physical, dynamic scorer who can light up defenses at every level.

Chris Cenac Jr.
— Houston (PF/C)

Height: 6'11"

Age: 18

Pro Comp: Deandre Ayton

Long, athletic, and full of upside—Chris Cenac Jr. is poised to put Houston Cougars basketball back on the national radar this season. In high school, Cenac was a double-double machine, dominating the interior with his energy, length, and relentless motor. He plays well above the rim, thriving on lob finishes and put-backs, but his game isn’t limited to the paint. Cenac has flashed impressive ball-handling for his size and a confident mid-range jumper from 10 to 20 feet. That versatility makes him fun to watch and more than just an interior finisher. He could be a future lottery pick with room to evolve into a complete modern big.

With the NCAA season officially underway, the stage is set for a new generation of hoopers to make their mark. These prospects aren’t just the future, they’re the now. Best to place your bets early, because each one brings a unique skill set, a story, and a hunger that could reshape the landscape of college basketball and, soon enough, the NBA. The talent pool has never looked deeper, and the spotlight’s never been brighter. It’ll be exciting to see just what these guys can bring to the table this year and you won’t want to miss an inch.