ESPN's Preseason Top 100 Arrives Amid Eligibility Fights and a Loaded Freshman Class

ESPN has released its ranking of the 100 best players entering the 2026-27 men's college basketball season, and the outlet says nothing like it has been compiled before. The list blends top freshmen, the best returning players, potential breakout stars and several athletes whose seasons could be blocked by a judge.

The class of newcomers is led by names such as Tyran Stokes and Jordan Smith Jr. The list also accounts for players such as Jeremy Fears Jr., Thomas Haugh and Milan Momcilovic, who collected significant NIL fees to stay in college. Seth Trimble, Mark Mitchell, Robbie Avila and Tamin Lipsey are among those fighting for a fifth season.

That last group shaped a key decision. ESPN's writers chose to treat players who graduated high school in 2022 as eligible, even though the NCAA's new five-in-five rules excluded them and the legal picture remains unsettled. The outlet said it will adjust the rankings if developments require it.

The legal fight is especially visible in Ohio. MJ Collins Jr., a 6-4 guard who averaged 17.5 points at Utah State and earned All-Mountain West second-team honors, is now at Cincinnati and awaiting the outcome of a dispute between the Ohio governor and the NCAA. The association recently sued the governor over an executive order giving all class of 2022 athletes in the state a fifth year of eligibility. Collins is ranked 85th.

Several other entries in the lower portion of the list also depend on eligibility rulings. Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen, ranked 95th, averaged career highs of 13.5 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 36.3% from 3 at Kentucky last season. If he receives a fifth year, he would start for the team ESPN has at No. 1 in the preseason.

Freshmen fill out the bottom of the list as well. Miles Sadler of West Virginia, a 6-foot five-star point guard, is ranked 100th after scoring 29 points with 7 assists for the World team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April. Duke's Cameron Williams, a 6-11 forward and one of the top five recruits in the 2026 class, is 97th, though ESPN notes he may not have a huge role right away.

Transfers and returners round out the group. Kayden Mingo moves from Penn State to Baylor, where he will play alongside his brother Dylan Mingo, a five-star recruit. Kentucky's Zoom Diallo, who averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists, drew attention at SEC media day by calling himself a "lambatarian." Illinois guard Andrej Stojakovic, who helped the Illini reach the Final Four, made 58% of his shots inside the arc.

Further up the list, Kentucky center Malachi Moreno, a 7-1 potential 2027 first-round pick, appeared at SEC media day more than 10 pounds lighter after summer NBA workouts. He is ranked 75th. UConn big man Na'jai Hines, ranked 72nd, was second nationally in block rate last season, and Dan Hurley plans to lean on him as the Huskies' frontcourt anchor.