Who Are the Top Breakout Candidates for the 2025-26 Men’s College Basketball Season?
Every season, a new crop of players emerges as breakout stars, turning potential into production and establishing themselves as cornerstones for their programs. The 2025–26 season is no different, with a mix of players ready to take the next step, transfers finding new homes, and returning veterans poised for a leap, all while players chase their NBA dreams. From coast to coast, these players are set to elevate their games and make a major impact. Some may elevate their teams to conference tournaments, while others might be the schools' turning point in getting things back on track for their program.
Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford headlines the list as a lightning-quick guard who showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman and now has the opportunity to take command of the Tigers’ offense. A candidate for not only a breakout season, but Pettiford could bring home some hardware with the SEC Player of the Year race up for grabs. Arkansas’s Karter Knox brings elite scoring ability to Fayetteville, and with his size and polish, he has the tools to become one of the SEC’s premier wings. Knox could be one of a couple of Razorback players drafted after this season if the hype turns to reality. Kansas fans should be excited about Flory Bidunga, a forceful big man whose rebounding and rim protection already stand out, but whose offensive development could make him one of the league’s most dominant frontcourt players. Bidunga, along with every player on this list, showed significant flashes last season and has NBA potential. Over in Durham, Isaiah Evans looks ready to continue Duke’s tradition of versatile wings, with his scoring and length giving the Blue Devils a dangerous perimeter weapon. In recent social media videos provided by Duke, Evans was knocking down contested shots, and his overall shot selection looks much improved.
Transfers will also play a massive role in shaping this season. Kam Williams, arriving at Kentucky from Tulane, provides a perimeter threat, floor spacing, and defensive versatility that could give the Wildcats a steadying presence. Tucker DeVries, one of the top scorers in the country during his time at Drake and West Virginia, now takes his game to Indiana, where his ability to create offense could translate into stardom on the Big Ten stage. Jaden Bradley returns to Arizona with a chance to take on a larger playmaking role, and his two-way ability could elevate him into a premier guard out west. UConn’s Tarris Reed, formerly of Michigan, adds toughness and rebounding to Dan Hurley’s squad and looks like a perfect fit for the Huskies’ physical style. Reed could be a sneaky pick for National Player of the Year if his production matches the predictions and his team's record. Thomas Haugh of Florida, an energy big man who continues to develop his offensive game, is another candidate to surprise many in SEC play. Finally, KJ Lewis, now at Georgetown after transferring from Arizona, has the opportunity to become the centerpiece of Ed Cooley’s rebuild thanks to his athleticism and defensive edge. Lewis provides a unique scoring ability that will greatly help Cooley and the rest of the Georgetown team.
These players may come from different conferences and backgrounds, but they all share one thing: opportunity. Whether stepping into bigger roles as sophomores, adapting to new systems as transfers, or building off consistent growth, they have the talent and situations needed to shine. As the 2025–26 season unfolds, expect this group to not only elevate their own profiles but also reshape the outlook of their programs. Pettiford and Haugh could both be in the SEC Player of the Year race while Bidunga and Knox continue to strive towards their NBA goals. I look forward to seeing at least some of these names grow nationally and for some of their names to be called on draft night.
