ESPN ranks 100 players despite 2022 class eligibility uncertainty

ESPN released its preseason Top 100 list for the 2026-27 men's college basketball season on October 28.

The ranking includes 100 athletes, a mix of freshmen, returners, and transfers. The list features names such as Tyran Stokes and Jordan Smith Jr. among the newcomers. It also accounts for players like Jeremy Fears Jr., Thomas Haugh, and Milan Momcilovic, who signed NIL deals to remain in school.

A key factor in the rankings is the status of the class of 2022. ESPN decided to treat these players as eligible for a fifth season, despite NCAA rules that currently exclude them. The outlet stated it will update the list if legal outcomes change. This decision impacts players like Seth Trimble, Mark Mitchell, Robbie Avila, and Tamin Lipsey, who are currently fighting for eligibility.

The legal dispute is particularly visible in Ohio, where the NCAA sued the governor over an executive order granting a fifth year to 2022 athletes. MJ Collins Jr., a guard at Cincinnati, is ranked 85th while awaiting the outcome of that case. He averaged 17.5 points at Utah State last season. Denzel Aberdeen, ranked 95th at Florida, also depends on a ruling. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.4 assists at Kentucky last year. If granted a fifth year, he would start for a team ranked No. 1 in the preseason.

Freshmen occupy the bottom of the list. Miles Sadler, a point guard from West Virginia, is ranked 100th after scoring 29 points and recording 7 assists for the World team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April. Cameron Williams, a forward from Duke, is ranked 97th. He is considered a top-five recruit in the 2026 class, though he may not play a large role immediately.

Transfers and returning players fill the middle and upper sections. Kayden Mingo moved from Penn State to Baylor to join his brother Dylan. Zoom Diallo from Kentucky averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists last season. Andrej Stojakovic from Illinois shot 58% inside the arc and helped the team reach the Final Four.

Higher-ranked players include Malachi Moreno, a center at Kentucky who is 7-foot-1 and ranked 75th. He lost more than 10 pounds during summer NBA workouts. Na'jai Hines, a big man at UConn, is ranked 72nd. He was second in the nation in block rate last season and is expected to anchor the frontcourt.