Dude, college basketball is about to get WILD next season. Almost every single All-American from last year bolted for the NBA, leaving a massive power vacuum. Of the fifteen players who made the CBS Sports All-American teams for the 2025-26 season, only three are actually coming back to play college ball. Talk about a clean slate! One of those three, Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, is dealing with a super uncertain timeline after tearing his ACL back in February, which is just brutal. That leaves Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. and Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner, both third-team All-Americans, as the guys who really need to step up and claim that “best player in the sport” crown.
The Stage Is Set For A New Star
Last season, we saw absolute domination from freshmen like Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa. Those dudes lived up to the hype, becoming top-3 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft after tearing it up. But here’s the kicker: the 2026 high school recruiting class isn’t getting the same kind of love as the 2025 class did, which, by the way, produced the first eight picks in the 2026 NBA Draft and a ton of other major contributors. With this year’s freshman class not exactly overflowing with game-changers, and basically everyone impactful from last year gone, the door is wide open. It’s time for a new wave of premier stars to come out swinging and make their mark. This is where the magic happens, folks.
Jeremy Fears Jr. Is Primed For Greatness
Matt Norlander’s pick for the top player is Jeremy Fears Jr., and honestly, it’s hard to argue. This guy is the highest-rated player returning from 2025-26 at KenPom, and he led the entire nation in assists, dishing out a ridiculous 9.4 dimes per game! Think about that. He’s a four-year senior at the same program, meaning the ball is going to be in his hands constantly. You just know he’s gonna be the most valuable player in the sport next season. On top of those nine-plus assists, he was dropping 15.3 points per game, too. He’s only the third high-major player in the last 30-plus years to lead the country in assists and then come back for another season, joining legends like Doug Gottlieb and T.J. Ford, who turned himself into a national player of the year honoree! Fears has the potential to lead the nation in assists again on a team that’s gonna be fighting for a No. 1 seed. He’s the undisputed hub of Sparty’s entire operation. When you look at his insane statistical production, his veteran experience with one program, and the surefire value he brings to a proven roster, nobody else even comes close. He absolutely has to be the preseason National Player of the Year pick.
The 2026-27 season is gonna be all about who steps up and who claims the spotlight. Keep your eyes locked on Jeremy Fears Jr. from Michigan State. This dude is about to put on a clinic, and we can’t wait for tip-off to see him do it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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