With the 2025-26 men’s college basketball regular season entering its final stretch, the race for the Naismith Player of the Year is beginning to take shape. While there are still games to be played and statements to be made, a small group of standout players has emerged as the frontrunners for college basketball’s most prestigious individual honor.
Right now, it’s hard to look past Duke’s Cameron Boozer. The freshman phenom has been nothing short of dominant from day one. But he’s not alone-there’s a mix of elite freshmen and seasoned veterans right on his heels, each making a compelling case with a blend of eye-popping stats and team success.
Let’s break down the top five contenders for the 2026 Naismith Award.
Cameron Boozer, Duke (Freshman Forward)
It’s not often a freshman steps onto the college stage and immediately becomes the best player in the country, but that’s exactly what Boozer is doing.
At 6-foot-9, the Miami native has powered the No. 4 Blue Devils to a 19-1 record and a legitimate shot at back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Boozer is averaging 23.5 points per game-third in the nation-while pulling down 9.9 rebounds, dishing out 4.1 assists, and swiping 1.8 steals. He’s doing all of this while shooting a blistering 57.9% from the field, 37.0% from three, and 75.7% from the line.
That level of efficiency, paired with his versatility and poise, makes him the clear frontrunner. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s elevating a powerhouse program and doing it with the kind of polish you rarely see from a freshman.
AJ Dybantsa, BYU (Freshman Forward)
If anyone’s going to challenge Boozer for the crown, it’s Dybantsa.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Brockton, Massachusetts, is making just as much noise out West. His scoring touch is undeniable-he leads the nation at 23.6 points per game-and he’s been the engine behind No.
13 BYU’s 17-3 start.
Dybantsa is more than just a scorer, though. He’s averaging 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals, while shooting 53.0% from the floor.
Even in a tough loss to top-ranked Arizona, where his shot wasn’t falling, he still managed to put up 24 points, five assists, and four boards. That kind of resilience and production against elite competition shows just how dangerous he can be.
JT Toppin, Texas Tech (Junior Forward)
Toppin may have had the most significant “Naismith moment” of anyone on this list so far.
On Saturday, the 6-foot-9 junior from Dallas led No. 11 Texas Tech to a statement win over then-No.
6 Houston, snapping the Cougars’ 11-game winning streak. Toppin was unstoppable-31 points, 12 rebounds (six offensive), and a 7-of-8 mark from the free-throw line.
That performance wasn’t an outlier. Toppin’s been a force all season, averaging 22.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, along with 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals.
He’s shooting an efficient 56.2% from the field and anchoring a Red Raiders team that’s becoming a serious threat in March. Toppin’s physicality and motor make him a matchup nightmare, and his stock is rising fast in the player of the year race.
Braden Smith, Purdue (Senior Guard)
Smith is the steady hand and heartbeat of a Purdue squad that, despite a recent two-game skid, remains a Final Four contender. The 6-foot senior from Westfield, Indiana, was a first-team All-American last season, and he’s playing like he wants that honor again.
Smith leads the nation in assists at 9.3 per game-a testament to his vision and command of the offense. He’s also putting up 15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 steals a night, while shooting 49.8% from the field, a scorching 43.6% from three, and 77.6% from the stripe. He’s the kind of floor general who makes everyone around him better, and his leadership will be key if Purdue is going to make another deep postseason run.
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (Senior Forward)
Jefferson might not have the same national spotlight as some of the others on this list, but make no mistake-he belongs in this conversation.
The 6-foot-9 senior has been the driving force behind No. 8 Iowa State’s 18-2 record and their rise to the top tier of the Big 12.
His game is all about balance. Jefferson is averaging 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 block per game.
He’s shooting 50.0% from the field, 40.4% from three, and 71.5% from the line. Those numbers speak to a player who impacts the game in every phase-scoring, playmaking, defense, and leadership.
He’s the kind of glue guy who can also take over when needed, and that makes him a serious dark horse in the Naismith race.
Final Takeaway
There’s still basketball left to be played, and plenty of chances for these stars to make their final case.
But right now, Cameron Boozer is setting the pace with a freshman season for the ages. Whether he can hold off the likes of Dybantsa, Toppin, Smith, and Jefferson will depend on how he-and his team-finish down the stretch.
What’s clear is this: the Naismith race is loaded with talent, and the next few weeks are going to be must-watch basketball.