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Ranking the Top 10 Most Underrated Freshmen in College Basketball in 2026

Ben Pfeifer Written by Sports EditorBen Pfeifer
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Each new college season brings a new crop of potential future NCAA and NBA stars and some of those freshmen will inevitably slip through consensus recruiting cracks. Jeremiah Fears and Thomas Sorber, two top-15 picks in 2025, both ranked outside of the top 40 by mainstream high school rankings.

This is the second season (of hopefully many!) writing this column and last season’s included Fears, but disappointingly not Sorber. Christian Anderson and John Mobley Jr. were both impact college players and Paul McNeil Jr., Kur Teng, Jaiden Glover and Julius Halaifonua all could still break out. 

Though I primarily view this list through an eventual NBA draft lens, I factored in college impact more than I did last season. Let’s dive into my top 10 underrated freshmen for the 2026 season and NBA Draft, considering players ranked outside of the top 40 on 247’s composite rankings.

10. Kai Rogers, C, Oklahoma

247 Composite ranking: 76

Few high school centers blend sheer size (listed 6’10, 240 pounds) and mobility like Rogers. His potential defensive versatility could lead him to play early at Oklahoma. Rogers often towered over opponents at the rim but has light enough feet to survive when he switches out to the perimeter.

At the youth level, Rogers anchored his team’s offense as a post-up hub. He likely won’t command that kind of usage as a freshman, but stellar finishing, rebounding and skill should translate to some extent. Lacking stout competition in the frontcourt, Rogers could quickly become a productive college big man and a promising long-term prospect.

9. Amir Jenkins, G, West Virginia

247 Composite ranking: 87

Jenkins’s intoxicating ball handling, footwork and outright trickery are a sight to behold. He blends finesse and physicality like few 6’2 guards, slicing defenses to score at the rim and throw high-value skip and interior passes. Players with his flair usually don’t sport gaudy assist-to-turnover ratios (2.7) like he does. 

College defenses will gameplan around Jenkins’s weaknesses, forcing him to prove himself a threat as a 3-point shooter and defensive stopper. Those are major areas of improvement, but Jenkins has a rare enough offensive package to warrant NBA attention.

8. Hudson Greer, F, Creighton

247 Composite ranking: 47

Greer is the kind of well-rounded, two-way wing that assimilates into teams quickly. He’s strong, athletic and skilled enough to fit several offensive roles. Greer is a promising outside shooter with some basic creation and passing chops and his feel will help him acclimate to a usually strong Creighton offense.

The 6’6 wing has the functional strength to power through players on offense and stonewall attackers on defense. He’s flashed some secondary rim protection potential, which could help push him onto NBA radars this season, especially if his 3-point efficiency improves.

7. Sebastian Williams-Adams, F, Auburn

247 Composite ranking: 48

Williams-Adams is a 6’8 wing with guard-level ball skills and impressive defensive versatility. He’s ideally built for modern NBA defenses, capable of switching out onto the perimeter and guarding multiple spots. Phenomenal rim protection instincts and movement skills generate blocks and rim misses.

There’s promise for Williams-Adams to lean on his connective passing and driving, but his weak outside shot and space creation limit his perimeter viability. He might struggle for playing time at Auburn in year one, but he’s a likely candidate to produce enticing Twitter highlights in limited minutes.

6. Trey Thompson, F, Iowa

247 Composite ranking: 98

After reclassifying to join the 2025 class and enroll at Iowa early, Thompson hopes to crack head coach Ben McCollum’s rotation. His size, listed at 6’8, and excellent outside shooting (37.7% on 3-pointers in his last AAU season) are a coveted blend of skills and ones that will pair well with his point guard Bennett Stirtz.

Thompson must add a significant amount of muscle or athleticism to thrive at the NBA level and his speed does hinder him on both ends. Modern basketball increasingly values tall shooters who offer some rim protection like Thompson does. If he cracks McCollum’s rotation and holds up defensively, he could generate some draft buzz.

5. Jordan Scott, F, Michigan State

247 Composite ranking: 56

If Scott played for a major prep school or shoe circuit team, this 6’7 wing with NBA-level shooting and playmaking upside wouldn’t rank outside of the top 50. Despite average athleticism, his 3-point shooting and snappy processing pair well with fluid movement to help him thrive on offense.

Scott’s greatest obstacle to one-and-done status might be his playing time, as Tom Izzo often doesn’t trust young players, especially freshmen. He’d become the fifth Michigan freshman drafted in the last 15 years, joining Jase Richardson, Max Christie, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Deyonta Davis. He’s talented enough to make that happen in an archetype the NBA highly values.

4. Jamarion Batemon, G, Iowa State

247 Composite ranking: 55

Batemon instantly projects as one of the better shooters in college basketball, paving an instant path to value. He drilled 41.8% of his 9.9 3-point attempts in his final AAU season and that dynamic, long-range movement shooting skill will force him onto the floor for an Iowa State team that lost two star guards this offseason.

The 6’3 guard boasts a bit more ball-handling ability than many premier sharpshooters, capable of attacking closeouts and making basic passing reads. If he proves himself a strong enough defender and complementary player, his shooting could carry Batemon to NBA Draft consideration.

3. Dante Allen, G, Miami

247 Composite ranking: 59

Despite playing next to the Boozer twins and thriving on the EYBL circuit, Allen hasn’t received nearly as much buzz as he deserves. Consensus rankings often overlook brilliant guards with non-traditional skillsets like Allen, who thrives as a transition creator, off-ball scorer and defensive disruptor.

While Allen lacks the handle and explosiveness to create on the ball consistently, he’s built to slot next to a jumbo initiator in the NBA one day. Allen finds little ways to impact winning on offense and defense that often don’t show up in the box score, but those traits often translate to high-level basketball.

2. Kohl Rosario, F, Kansas

247 Composite ranking: 75

Over the last calendar year, Rosario skyrocketed from an unknown prospect on the Puma circuit to a Kansas commit in 2025. He’ll have a chance to contribute on a Jayhawk roster without tons of certain depth, especially meshing with Darryn Peterson. Elite open floor athleticism, length and shotmaking should make him a strong play finisher in college.

Even considering Rosario’s inexperience as an on-ball creator, his first-year offensive projection looks strong in a complementary role. If his threes fall at a high clip, it’s easy to imagine an NBA team coveting a long, twitchy 6’6 wing with real shooting ability.

1. Jaden Toombs, C, SMU

247 Composite ranking: 41

I left Thomas Sorber off of last year’s list and I won’t fade this class’s best undersized center prospect — SMU freshman Jaden Toombs. Beyond his NBA projection, it’s easy to imagine a player like Toombs dominating on offense early on with a rare blend of strength, touch, ball skills and passing feel.

College offenses could exploit Toombs’ defensive weaknesses, as 6’9 centers without vertical explosiveness or great mobility often struggle to anchor defenses. His length, instincts and feel could help Toombs tread water on defense, which would let his excellent offense shine. He’s well-positioned to put up big numbers this season on both ends of the floor.

Honorable Mentions

King Grace, F, Mississippi State

Josiah Sanders, G, Colorado

Eli Ellis, G, South Carolina

Derek Dixon, G, North Carolina

Keyshuan Tillery, G, Cincinnati

 

Ben Pfeifer Written by Sports EditorBen Pfeifer
Ben Pfeifer graduated from the University of Missouri with degrees in Psychology and Journalism. He has worked in basketball scouting covering the NBA and the draft for over a half-decade, working for various outlets. Now, he covers the NBA, the draft and high school basketball.
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