Frosh Watch: Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie Headlines a Scorching Start for College Basketball’s Freshman Class
Two months into the 2025-26 college basketball season, it’s clear: this freshman class isn’t just living up to the hype - it’s redefining it. From top-ranked recruits making good on their promise to unheralded names crashing the spotlight, this group has been electric. And nowhere is that more evident than in the play of Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie, who’s gone from under-the-radar recruit to one of the nation’s most dangerous scorers.
Let’s break down the latest in the Frosh Watch - our weekly look at the top 10 freshmen across the country - and highlight this week’s standout: a guard who’s rewriting expectations in real time.
Freshman of the Week: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford
Every year, a few freshmen come out of nowhere and shake up the landscape. This season, that player is Ebuka Okorie.
Ranked outside the top 100 in the 2025 recruiting class, Okorie has been lighting it up for Stanford. He’s currently averaging 22.8 points per game - fourth among all qualified Division I players - and he’s doing it with consistency and style.
He’s hit double figures in every game he’s played, and just last week, he dropped 30 points in a win over Cal State Northridge. That marked his second 30-point game of the season.
What makes Okorie’s rise even more impressive is the context: he’s doing this in a freshman class loaded with blue-chip talent. Despite being overlooked in the rankings, he’s now third among all first-year players in scoring. Stanford’s found a gem, and the rest of the country is starting to take notice.
Previous Freshman of the Week Winners
- **Nov.
11:** Koa Peat, Arizona
- **Nov.
18:** Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
- **Nov.
25 & Dec. 2:** Cameron Boozer, Duke
- Dec. 9: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
- Dec. 16: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
- Dec. 23: Shelton Henderson, Miami
Frosh Watch: Top 10 Freshmen Rankings
1. Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
Stats: 23.3 PPG | 10.0 RPG | 4.0 APG
Boozer didn’t suit up last week, but his body of work speaks volumes.
He’s been the most dominant freshman in the country and is on pace to enter 2026 as the nation’s leading scorer. Duke opens ACC play against Georgia Tech this week, and all eyes will be on Boozer to keep the momentum going.
2. AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU
Stats: 22.3 PPG | 6.9 RPG | 3.3 APG
Dybantsa continues to showcase why he was one of the most hyped prospects in this class.
He logged his first career triple-double last week - 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists - in a win over Eastern Washington. BYU was otherwise idle, but Dybantsa’s performance was enough to keep him locked in at No.
3. Caleb Wilson | F | North Carolina
Stats: 19.5 PPG | 10.8 RPG | 2.4 APG
Wilson and the Tar Heels were off last week, but the freshman forward has already posted nine double-doubles this season.
He’s been a force on the glass and a consistent scoring option for UNC. The Heels kick off ACC play against Florida State this week before a road trip to SMU.
4. Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas
Stats: 19.3 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 2.8 APG
Peterson missed both of Kansas’ recent games due to injury, bringing his total missed contests to nine this season.
When healthy, he’s been one of the most explosive guards in the country. Kansas begins Big 12 action against UCF this weekend, and the Jayhawks are hoping to have their star back soon.
**5. Darius Acuff Jr.
| G | Arkansas**
Stats: 18.9 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 6.2 APG
Acuff continues to be the engine behind Arkansas’ offense. He tallied 17 points and six assists in a win over James Madison and has been a steady playmaker all season.
The Razorbacks open SEC play against Tennessee - a big test for both Acuff and his squad.
**6. Mikel Brown Jr.
| G | Louisville**
Stats: 16.6 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 5.1 APG
Brown missed Louisville’s last two games due to injury, and there’s still no clear timetable for his return. When on the court, he’s been one of the most polished guards in the country.
Louisville opens ACC play against Cal on Tuesday, and they’ll need Brown back soon to stay competitive.
7. Koa Peat | F | Arizona
Stats: 14.0 PPG | 5.0 RPG | 2.7 APG
Peat and Arizona were off last week, but the freshman forward has been a key piece in the Wildcats’ rise to No. 1 in the rankings.
In his last outing, he posted 11 points and five boards against San Diego State. Arizona heads into 2026 with momentum - and Peat is a big reason why.
8. Ament | F | Tennessee
Stats: 16.3 PPG | 7.1 RPG | 2.8 APG
Ament saw limited action in Tennessee’s last game, logging just 19 minutes against Gardner-Webb.
Still, he managed eight points, five rebounds, and three assists. The Vols face South Carolina State next, and Ament remains a steady contributor on both ends of the floor.
9. Flemings | G | Houston
Stats: 14.8 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 4.9 APG
Flemings turned in a solid performance against Middle Tennessee, finishing with 15 points and five assists.
Houston’s floor general has been sharp all season and will look to carry that form into Big 12 play as the Cougars face Cincinnati this weekend.
10. Hannes Steinbach | F | Washington
Stats: 17.5 PPG | 11.9 RPG | 2.5 APG
Steinbach added another double-double to his growing list - 20 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Utah.
That’s eight double-doubles this season for the Washington big man, who’s been a dominant force on the boards and a reliable inside scorer.
Final Word
This freshman class isn’t just deep - it’s loaded with star power and surprise stories. From blue-blood programs to rising mid-majors, first-year players are making an impact all over the map. And as we turn the calendar to 2026, the race for Freshman of the Year is wide open.
Ebuka Okorie’s breakout is a reminder that rankings don’t tell the whole story. Talent, work ethic, and opportunity still matter - and right now, he’s seizing all three.