The onset of the 2025-26 men's college basketball season brings with it the debut of arguably the strongest NCAA freshman class in the past half-decade and a wave of excitement around the loaded 2026 draft class.
NBA scouts have crisscrossed the country for early looks at these players, heading into a rich national nonconference college slate in November and December featuring some huge prospect matchups. If the early returns are indicative, there are real implications for how NBA teams might decide to navigate the season. A strong top group of prospects, headlined by Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer, is expected to make lottery night particularly consequential for a range of franchises -- and a broader tanking race for a chance to select atop the draft is already underway.