Ahead of the 2025-26 season, ESPN ranked the 10 most interesting sophomores to watch. Instead of ranking each youngster's rookie campaign, ESPN's Jeremy Woo ordered these players based on how intriguing their situation is heading into training camp. Whether said player starred for their respective team a season ago is irrelevant.
Woo's rankings went as follows: 10. Nikola Topic, 9. Jared McCain, 8. Jaylen Wells, 7. Kel'el Ware, 6. Alex Sarr, 5. Donovan Clingan, 4. Matas Buzelis, 3. Zaccharie Risacher, 2. Stephon Castle, and 1. Reed Sheppard.
The NBA expert's reasoning rings true, considering he has Sheppard ranked first.