{"id":546721,"date":"2026-01-19T13:14:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T13:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/546721\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T13:14:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T13:14:24","slug":"espns-2025-26-midseason-freshman-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/546721\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN’s 2025-26 midseason freshman grades"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025\u201326 college basketball season has officially crossed the halfway mark, and the men\u2019s freshman class is showing its true mettle. From the mountain peaks of Provo to the storied halls of Cameron Indoor, these teenagers are dismantling veteran defenses and redefining what rookie production looks like in the modern game. ESPN<\/a>\u2019s 2025-26 midseason freshman grades are out, and the marks are historically high for a group that might be the most talented we\u2019ve seen in a decade.<\/p>\n

10. Thijs De Ridder, Virginia Cavaliers\"VirginiaDallas, Texas, USA; Virginia Cavaliers forward Thijs de Ridder (28) controls the ball in front of SMU Mustangs guard B.J. Edwards (0) and forward Corey Washington (3) during the second half at Moody Coliseum. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Belgian import has been the defensive anchor Tony Bennett desperately needed, recently headlining a win over Stanford with 22 points and a pair of clutch blocks. While he plays with the stoic poise of a veteran pro, his 16.0 PPG average has breathed life into a Virginia offense that has historically struggled to find a consistent spark. His efficiency in the mid-range is becoming a nightmare for ACC defenders who simply cannot match his physicality and European-honed footwork.<\/p>\n

9. Hannes Steinbach, Washington Huskies\"WashingtonSeattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies forward Hannes Steinbach (6) shoots the ball against the Utah Utes during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Dominating the boards in the Big Ten is no small feat for a rookie, yet Steinbach is making it look routine with a conference-leading nine double-doubles so far. His recent 21-point performance against Ohio State proved he is more than just a garbage-man scorer; he is a legitimate focal point for a Huskies squad that is finally finding its identity. Standing 6-11, his mobility allows Washington to play a modern, switching style that has kept them relevant in one of the nation\u2019s most physical leagues.<\/p>\n

T-8. Brayden Burries & Koa Peat, Arizona Wildcats\"ArizonaFort Worth, Texas, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) brings the ball up court during the game between the Horned Frogs and the Wildcats at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Arizona\u2019s perfect 18\u20130 start rests heavily on this five-star duo, who have seamlessly integrated into Tommy Lloyd\u2019s high-octane, transition-heavy system in Tucson. Burries recently exploded for 28 points against Alabama, while Peat\u2019s 20-point showing against TCU showcased the kind of interior dominance that makes the Wildcats a legitimate national title favorite. They aren\u2019t playing like freshmen; they are playing like the veteran core of the number-one-ranked team in the country.<\/p>\n

7. Ebuka Okorie, Stanford Cardinal\"StanfordStanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Ebuka Okorie (1) celebrates a three-point basket against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Okorie has almost single-handedly turned Stanford into a must-watch program, recently shattering the school\u2019s freshman scoring record with a 36-point masterpiece against North Carolina. His ability to draw contact and convert at the stripe\u2014including an 18-for-21 night at the free-throw line against Colorado\u2014makes him an impossible assignment for any ACC guard. He is currently the heartbeat of a Cardinal squad that is pulling off more upsets than any analyst expected back in November.<\/p>\n

6. Keaton Wagler, Illinois Fighting Illini\"IllinoisChampaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) drives to the basket as Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Cade Tyson (10) guards him during the first half at State Farm Center. Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Emerging as the Big Ten\u2019s most dangerous perimeter threat, Wagler has already bagged three Freshman of the Week awards and then dropped 22 points against Northwestern. His 46.7% clip from deep over the last few games has given Illinois the spacing required to climb back into the national top 15. He doesn\u2019t just hunt his own shot, either; his 10-assist double-double against Southern showed a playmaking maturity that has professional scouts buzzing.<\/p>\n

5. Kingston Flemings, Houston Cougars\"HoustonHouston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) warms up before playing against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Fertitta Center. Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

In Kelvin Sampson\u2019s notoriously demanding culture-first system, Flemings has thrived as a defensive menace, highlighted by a staggering eight-steal performance against Florida State. Offensively, he is a blur in transition, averaging over 15 points while maintaining a team-high assist rate for the top-seeded Cougars. He is the rare freshman who cares as much about a gritty box-out as he does a highlight bucket, making him the perfect Houston guard.<\/p>\n

4. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas Razorbacks\"ArkansasFayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 108-74. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Acuff Jr. is the latest scoring machine to flourish under John Calipari\u2019s tutelage, recently earning Naismith Player of the Week honors after a flurry of dominant SEC performances. His 6.3 assists per game suggest a playmaking IQ that has allowed Arkansas to navigate one of the most treacherous schedules in the country. When the game slows down in the final four minutes, the crowd at Bud Walton knows precisely who is getting the ball to close it out.<\/p>\n

3. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina Tar Heels\"NorthBerkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) pursues the ball during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Tar Heels have found their next great superstar in Wilson, a double-double machine who recently rewrote the UNC record books with six consecutive 20-point games. His 22-point, 16-rebound, 6-assist line against Florida State was a masterclass in modern, versatile power forward play that few in the country can replicate. He is playing with a relentless motor that provides the interior toughness North Carolina needs to survive the ACC gauntlet.<\/p>\n

2. AJ Dybantsa, BYU Cougars\"\"BYU\u2019s AJ Dybantsa looks on before a Big 12 Conference men\u2019s basketball game in United Supermarkets Arena. Credit: Nathan Giese\/Avalanche-Journal \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Dybantsa has brought the Marriott Center to a fever pitch, scoring 20-plus points in nine straight games\u2014a feat no freshman has accomplished in college basketball in three decades. His 22.9 PPG isn\u2019t just empty-calorie scoring; it\u2019s coming on elite efficiency for a wing who can create his own shot from anywhere on the floor. Whether he\u2019s dunking on Clemson or facilitating for his teammates, he looks like a future NBA #1 overall pick in real-time.<\/p>\n

1. Cameron Boozer, Duke Blue Devils\"DukeStanford, California, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) looks on against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Boozer isn\u2019t just the top freshman in the country; he is arguably the most polished player in all of college basketball, averaging a staggering 23.3 PPG and 10.0 RPG. His 35-point double-double against Indiana State put him in the same breath as Zion Williamson in the Duke record books for early-career dominance. He combines a pro-ready frame with a basketball IQ that allows him to dismantle double-teams and anchor the Blue Devils\u2019 pursuit of another banner.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/p>\n

As we head toward March, these freshmen are no longer just prospects; they are the pillars of their respective programs. The transition from high school phenom to college star is usually fraught with growing pains, but this group has skipped the preamble and gone straight to the climax. The fact that players like Nate Ament, Braylon Mullins, and Meleek Thomas are in the honorary mentions proves the kind of cloth this freshman batch is cut from. Darryn Peterson and Mikel Brown Jr. would have made their way onto the list if not for their injuries keeping them off the court for a majority of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2025\u201326 college basketball season has officially crossed the halfway mark, and the men\u2019s freshman class is showing…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":546722,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3723],"tags":[7,217,354,231,772,1544],"class_list":{"0":"post-546721","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-basketball","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-college-basketball","10":"tag-mens-college-basketball","11":"tag-ncaa","12":"tag-ncaa-basketball","13":"tag-ncaab"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/115921949972819839","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/546721","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=546721"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/546721\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/546722"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=546721"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=546721"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=546721"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}