NBA Prospects Litter College Basketball Preseason Rankings

NBA prospects are pivotal to college basketball team's winning seasons and postseason runs. But who headlines this year’s crop of newbies and returnees?

Each year, NBA prospects are paramount in helping college basketball teams to winning conference records, the NCAA Tournament and more.

This year, team’s will yet again look to prospects — both five-star freshman or heralded upperclassmen — to lead them to victory.

But who headlines this year’s crop of newbies and returnees? For now, we’ll use ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 released on Sept. 5.

Coming in at No. 1 on the list is Kansas, who is led by a crop of strong returnees. Former Michigan standout Hunter Dickinson will look to lead Kansas to the national title, take home the National Player of the Year Award and cement himself as a draft pick in one fell swoop. But freshman guard Elmarko Jackson will be the one to watch out for regarding the draft.

At No. 2 is Duke, who’s led by two of the best returning player in the nation: Kyle Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor. Both will look to be lottery picks in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft.

At No. 5, UConn has the best of both worlds, with top returnee Donovan Clingan at center and five-star guard Stephon Castle stepping into the lead guard role.

With another strong postseason run, or potentially even league-winning campaign, both Clingan and Castle should generate plenty of buzz, albeit in very different ways.

No. 13 Creighton yet again has a strong trio in Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner. And slotted at No. 15 is North Carolina, who landed top transfer Harrison Ingram and five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau.

The last to touch on is No. 17 Kentucky, who despite being lower-ranked than year’s past, could very well have two shots at top-five picks in forward Justin Edwards and guard D.J. Wagner.

Other notables include Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter and USC’s Isaiah Collier.

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