As the 2025-26 NCAA men’s basketball season approaches, a competitive landscape is emerging for the coveted Player of the Year honors across various conferences. Established stars and rising talents are poised to make their mark as they vie for recognition in their respective leagues.
Key Candidates in Major Conferences
In the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Cameron Boozer of the Duke Blue Devils and Darrion Williams from NC State are leading the charge. Boozer, the son of former Duke standout Carlos Boozer, aims to carve out his own legacy while hoping to secure Duke’s first national championship under head coach Jon Scheyer. Williams, who averaged 15.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game at Texas Tech last season, will also be a critical competitor.
The Big Ten features an exciting race as Donovan Dent, a transfer from New Mexico now with UCLA, looks to challenge Braden Smith of Purdue and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Dent, who averaged 20.4 points and 6.4 assists last season, brings significant firepower to the conference.
In the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Otega Oweh of Kentucky is a notable contender. The 6-foot-5 guard, named the SEC’s Preseason Player of the Year, is determined to lead the Wildcats back to the Final Four after a decade-long absence. He will face competition from Alex Condon of Florida, who averaged 10.6 points and 7.5 rebounds in the previous season.
The Big 12 has AJ Dybantsa from BYU and Darryn Peterson of Kansas as frontrunners, both hoping to make significant contributions while aiming for the number one pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.
Spotlight on Emerging Talent Across Conferences
While major conferences attract considerable attention, emerging talents in smaller leagues also deserve recognition. In the America East, TJ Hurley of Vermont is a key figure to watch. After averaging 15.8 points per game last season, Hurley aims to help Vermont reclaim its dominance in the conference.
In the American Conference, Rowan Brumbaugh of Tulane is the top returning scorer, having averaged 15.5 points and 4.8 assists last season. His performance in a narrow loss to Memphis in the conference tournament semifinals last season highlighted his potential impact.
The Atlantic 10 Conference features Robbie Avila from Saint Louis, who averaged 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds last season. With his previous experience leading Indiana State to the NIT championship game, Avila aims to become a dominant force in the A-10.
In the Big East, Zuby Ejiofor of St. John’s played a pivotal role in the team’s recent success, earning All-Big East honors after averaging 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds. His leadership will be vital as St. John’s seeks to build on last season’s achievements.
The stakes are high as players across all conferences prepare for a thrilling season ahead. Each contender brings unique skills and stories, contributing to a landscape rich with talent and competition. As the season unfolds, the race for Player of the Year promises to be both exciting and unpredictable, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming battles on the court.
