MID-SEASON NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR POWER RANKINGS
By Jeff Goodman & Sam Lance
Three of the top 10 scorers in college basketball currently come from the freshman ranks, and if you’ve been paying any attention this season, the 2025 class has dominated headlines.
But who are the best freshman so far standing out in a loaded class? Here’s The Field of 68’s midseason top 10 freshman power rankings:
1. Cameron Boozer, 6-9, 250, PF, Duke
25-26 Stats: 23.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 58.6% FG, 37.7% 3FG
The Duke forward isn’t just playing like the best freshman in America, but the best player. Via the latest Bet MGM odds, Boozer is -325 to win the Wooden Award, with the next player on this list in second at +425. To put in perspective how dominant he’s been, Boozer currently averages more points, steals, rebounds and 0.1 less assists than Cooper Flagg’s NPOY campaign last year. And he’s shooting over 10% better from the field. Remarkable stuff.
2. AJ Dybantsa, 6-9, 210, SF, BYU
25-26 Stats: 22.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.4 stls, 54.7% FG
At fifth in the nation in scoring, the former No. 1 overall prospect has been everything as advertised for BYU, and maybe even more. Dybantsa is just so efficient with his movements and shot creation, and he’s almost impossible to stop when he gets downhill. The Cougars are 16-2 and a top 15 team in the country much due to his play.
3. Caleb Wilson, 6-10, 215, PF, North Carolina
25-26 Stats: 19.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.4 blks, 1.6 stls, 58.4% FG
Every time Wilson takes the court, he has a highlight reel play, whether that be a jaw-dropping dunk or emphatic swat, to get his team going. North Carolina feeds off his energy, and of course, his production. Wilson is one of 14 players in the country averaging a double-double this season, and he’s top 10 in the ACC in both blocks and steals. He could have a case for defensive player of the year.
4. Darius Acuff, 6-3, 190, PG, Arkansas
25-26 Stats: 19.6 ppg, 6.2 apg, 48.7% FG, 41.0% 3FG
The Arkansas point guard has been phenomenal all season, but he’s really turned it on as of late in SEC play. Acuff is averaging 21.5 points (third) and 5.7 assists (second) in strictly SEC play, and his two highest scoring games of the year have come against Tennessee and Houston, both top 15 defenses on Kenpom. He’s yet another classic John Calipari guard talent, and he’s been skyrocketing up draft boards as each game moves on.
5. Kingston Flemings, 6-4, 190, PG, Houston
25-26 Stats: 15.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.0 stls, 51.9% FG, 38.2% 3FG
Milos Uzan is a senior point guard who helped lead Houston to a national title game appearance last season, and he’s taken a back seat to a freshman. That alone speaks to how good Flemings has been. He might be the quickest player in the country off the bounce, and nobody seems to be able to stay in front of him. The three point shooting has also been a major plus.
6. Darryn Peterson, 6-6, 205, PG, Kansas
25-26 Stats: 21.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 49.3% FG, 42.0% 3FG
The only thing keeping Peterson from top three on this list is availability. The point guard has played in just 10 of Kansas’ 19 games due to a hamstring strain and cramping issue. Regardless, the talent and production when he’s out there jumps off the page. Just look to his 26 points in 23 minutes against Baylor as to why he’s widely regarded as the No. 1 overall pick.
7. Keaton Wagler, 6-6, 185, PG, Illinois
25-26 Stats: 15.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 45.2% FG, 39.4% 3FG
There were offseason murmurs from the Illinois coaching staff on how good Wagler could be, but I’m not even sure Brad Underwood expected Wagler to be this good. It’s hard to put into words how big his impact has been. He’s completely changed things for Illinois with his playmaking and rebounding at the guard spot. He’s scored 15+ points in all but one Big Ten game. And now with Kylan Boswell out for an extended period of time, Wagler will have even more on his shoulders. There’s no reason to think he won’t meet the challenge.
8. Ebuka Okorie, 6-2, 185, PG, Stanford
25-26 Stats: 22.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.5 stls, 44.1% FG
To upset North Carolina, Okorie put on a masterclass performance with 36 points and nine assists, making the Tar Heels’ defense look completely lost. He’s currently No. 7 in the nation in scoring and hasn’t reached double-figures just twice this season. What a find by Kyle Smith and his staff. Okorie has willed the Cardinal into the NCAA Tournament discussion.
9. Brayden Burries, 6-4, 205, SG, Arizona
25-26 Stats: 14.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, 49.3% FG, 34.9% 3FG
The Arizona guard has five games with 20+ points this season and is Arizona’s biggest outside shooting threat. He didn’t get off to a relatively slow start compared to his peers, but he’s really turned it on as of late. It’s a scary thought he’s still yet to play his best basketball with Arizona at No. 1 in the AP Poll.
10. Hannes Steinbach, 6-11, 235, PF, Washington
25-26 Stats: 18.0 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 55.3% FG
Washington’s German import has been walking double-double and seems to grab every rebound. He’s projected a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft via multiple outlets for a reason.
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