ESPN ranks college basketball players despite NCAA eligibility legal battles

ESPN has published its ranking of the 100 best players for the 2026-27 men's college basketball season. The list is complicated by a group of athletes currently fighting in court to determine if they can play a fifth season.

The top of the list features freshmen such as Tyran Stokes and Jordan Smith Jr. It also includes high-profile returners like Jeremy Fears Jr., Thomas Haugh, and Milan Momcilovic, who signed new NIL deals to remain in school. However, the rankings are heavily influenced by the eligibility status of players who graduated high school in 2022, including Seth Trimble, Mark Mitchell, Robbie Avila, and Tamin Lipsey.

The NCAA's new five-in-five rules technically excluded this 2022 class, but the legal situation is unresolved. ESPN's writers decided to treat these players as eligible for the initial rankings. The outlet stated it will adjust the list if legal developments require changes.

The conflict is most visible in Ohio, where the state governor and the NCAA are in a legal dispute. MJ Collins Jr., a 6-foot-4 guard, is ranked 85th at Cincinnati. He averaged 17.5 points per game at Utah State and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors last season. His eligibility hinges on the outcome of the case involving the governor's executive order.

Other players in the lower tier of the list also depend on these rulings. Denzel Aberdeen, ranked 95th at Florida, is a guard who averaged career highs of 13.5 points and 3.4 assists at Kentucky last season. He shot 36.3% from three-point range. If he secures a fifth year, he is expected to start for a team ranked No. 1 in the preseason.

The bottom of the list is filled with highly touted newcomers. Miles Sadler of West Virginia is ranked 100th. The 6-foot point guard scored 29 points and recorded 7 assists for the World team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April. Cameron Williams of Duke is ranked 97th. The 6-foot-11 forward is considered one of the top five recruits in the 2026 class, though ESPN notes he may not have a major role immediately.

Transfers and returners round out the group. Kayden Mingo moved from Penn State to Baylor to join his brother Dylan Mingo. At Kentucky, Zoom Diallo averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists and described himself as a "lambatarian" during SEC media day. Andrej Stojakovic of Illinois shot 58% from inside the arc and helped the team reach the Final Four. Higher on the list, Malachi Moreno of Kentucky is ranked 75th. The 7-foot-1 center lost more than 10 pounds during summer NBA workouts. Na'jai Hines of UConn is ranked 72nd and was second nationally in block rate last season.