Although EA Sports College Basketball isn’t slated for release for a couple more years, early hypothetical rankings are already generating buzz. Built on scouting reports, recruiting insights, and prior performance, these projections aim to spotlight the players expected to make the biggest impact when the game eventually launches.
Freshman projections draw particular interest, offering a glimpse at which newcomers could shape the college basketball landscape in the seasons ahead.
Because player development and recruiting rankings are constantly evolving, these forecasts are fluid, subject to change well before the game’s release.
Braden Smith and PJ Haggerty Lead Early Hypothetical Rankings as AJ Dybantsa Slides
Locked On College Basketball host Isaac Schade summarized the scenario, “We have two returners at number two and number one… And perhaps controversially, perhaps not because he’s been surpassed in some of the recruiting rankings, AJ Dybantsa at BYU with all his Marriott money comes in at number four.”
The top two positions in the rankings belong to returning Consensus All-Americans. PJ Haggerty, ranked second, transferred from Memphis to Kansas State and earned second-team Consensus All-American honors last season. Purdue’s Braden Smith leads the list as the only returning first-team Consensus All-American point guard, widely recognized for his versatile play and leadership despite a smaller frame.
Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson holds the third spot, reflecting his rapid ascent and growing national profile. AJ Dybantsa, despite his high-profile commitment to BYU and significant backing from Marriott funding, drops to number four in the latest projections.
Rounding out the top five is Cam Boozer at Duke, with his twin brother also expected to develop into a major contributor, though he didn’t crack the initial list.
These rankings reflect EA Sports’ careful and data-driven approach to projecting player impact in the game, weighing both the upside of elite incoming freshmen and the proven success of seasoned college stars.
While Dybantsa remains a top-tier prospect with sky-high potential, his No. 4 ranking underscores how much emphasis is being placed on actual college production and experience.
The presence of established returners at the top of the list suggests a shift in how talent is evaluated, where standout performance at the college level can now outweigh even the most hyped high school résumés.
As the upcoming season nears, this evolving balance between raw potential and tested ability will be crucial in shaping both real-world perception and future in-game projections.
Looking ahead, Dybantsa’s development at BYU will be closely monitored to see if he can climb back to the top.