Bill Self, a staple in Big 12 basketball with roots at Oklahoma State and a 23-year tenure at Kansas, is witnessing an unprecedented freshmen class in the conference.
“It’s not even close,” Self remarked about the standout talent.
Four Big 12 freshmen are projected in ESPN’s top-10 NBA draft picks, all set to showcase their skills in the NCAA Tournament starting Thursday. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is tipped for the No. 1 spot, with BYU's AJ Dybantsa closely following at No.
- Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Arizona’s Brayden Burries are also making waves, projected at fifth and tenth, respectively.
But the talent doesn’t stop there. Arizona's Koa Peat, Houston's Chris Cenac Jr., and Baylor's Tounde Yessoufou are all expected first-round picks, potentially making up almost a quarter of this summer’s NBA Draft from Big 12 freshmen alone.
“It’s an embarrassment of riches,” ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla noted, comparing this influx to past individual stars like Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant.
Flemings and Cenac are set to hit the court in Oklahoma City as No. 2 seed Houston faces No. 15 seed Idaho at Paycom Center. Flemings, drawing comparisons to Russell Westbrook, emphasized the adaptability of this year’s freshmen across the country.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson attributes this readiness to the rigorous travel and competition these players face from a young age. “The adjustment is easier,” Sampson explained, noting how these players have faced top competition long before college.
Sampson also praised the maturity of players like Koa Peat, highlighting the depth of character these young athletes bring to the game.
The Big 12, since its inception in 1996, has never produced four top-10 NBA draft picks in a single class, let alone all freshmen. The expansion to 16 teams, including powerhouses like Arizona, certainly boosts these odds.
If Peterson or Dybantsa clinch the No. 1 spot, it would mark the first time since OSU’s Cade Cunningham in 2021 that a Big 12 freshman has been the top pick. Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid were top-three picks in 2014, with OSU’s Marcus Smart following at No. 6.
Self also highlighted Kansas freshman Bryson Tiller, who despite his impressive stats, flies under the radar due to the extraordinary talent surrounding him.
“This is as good a recruiting job as our league’s ever done,” Self concluded, acknowledging the exceptional caliber of this year’s Big 12 freshmen class.