Even with NIL deals keeping stars in college longer than they otherwise might have stuck around, men’s college basketball is facing a pretty significant talent drain from last season. The main crux is the end of the COVID year. Essentially, two full classes (seniors and super-seniors) ran out of eligibility this spring, including many of the sport’s best players. Who are some rising stars who could fill that void and play huge roles for some of the best teams in the sport? Here’s a look at 10 potential breakout candidates to monitor in the 2025–26 season.
Note: To be eligible to be considered a breakout star, a player must have averaged fewer than 10 points per game last season.
