Historic Freshman Class and Major NIL Lawsuit Shake Up Sports

In the world of college basketball, the 2025-2026 freshman class is turning heads and making history. Their depth and talent have blown away expectations.

These young athletes are setting new benchmarks in the sport. Not only are they racking up points per game, but their advanced stats—like Box Plus-Minus (BPM)—are off the charts.

This blog post takes a look at standout performances, key players, and the broader impact of this exceptional freshman class on college basketball and beyond.

Historic Freshman Class: Unprecedented Depth and Talent

This year’s freshman class might just be the best and deepest we’ve seen in a long time. Jim Root points out some wild stats:

• Twenty-nine freshmen are averaging over 15.0 points per game, the highest in at least a decade.
• Forty-seven freshmen posted a BPM of 6.0 or higher, way up from last year’s 26.

We’re not just talking about a few stars—there’s a collective rise in quality here. Honestly, it’s a good sign for the future of college basketball and maybe even the NBA.

Top Performers: The Names to Watch

At the top, a few names are already making waves:

• AJ Dybantsa from BYU
• Cam Boozer from Duke
• Darryn Peterson from Kansas

All three could go No. 1 in this year’s NBA draft. Their performances have set them apart and raised the bar for future freshmen.

Surprise Standouts: Beyond the Top Three

Dybantsa, Boozer, and Peterson get most of the buzz, but they’re not the only ones making noise:

• Caleb Wilson from North Carolina
• Darius Acuff Jr. from Arkansas
• Kingston Flemings from Houston

These guys have surprised a lot of people. Nine of the top 11 prospects on Sam Vecenie’s top 100 board are college freshmen, which says a lot about this group’s impact.

Advanced Metrics: The Importance of Box Plus-Minus

Box Plus-Minus (BPM) is one of the main stats for evaluating these freshmen. A BPM of 0.0 means you’re an average college player—so seeing 47 freshmen at 6.0 or higher? That’s wild.

BPM isn’t just about scoring. It measures defense, playmaking, and efficiency too. High BPMs this year show these freshmen are making a difference all over the court.

Implications for the NBA: A Strong Draft Class

These freshmen are catching the eyes of NBA scouts. The upcoming draft looks stacked, mostly because of this group’s depth and talent.

Teams are already circling these young stars, thinking about who could become the next franchise player. There’s a sense that some of these guys could make an immediate splash in the pros.

Top Draft Prospects

Here are the top prospects for the NBA draft:

• AJ Dybantsa
• Cam Boozer
• Darryn Peterson

They’ve been dominant in college, sure. But it’s the maturity and skill they’ve shown that really makes them stand out as future NBA stars.

Broader Impact: Changing the Landscape of College Basketball

This freshman class is shaking things up in college basketball. With so much talent making an immediate impact, expectations for future classes are only getting higher.

Coaches and recruiters now want players who can contribute right away. Waiting a year or two for development? That’s starting to feel old-school.

Recruiting Strategies

Recruiting will probably shift because of this year’s freshmen. Colleges are going to double down on finding and locking in top talent early.

These performances are also drawing more eyes to college basketball. More fans, more viewership, and, let’s be honest, more revenue—all of which help schools attract even better recruits down the line.