Preseason Men’s College Basketball All-America Team: Braden Smith, JT Toppin & More

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Preseason Men’s College Basketball All-America Team: Braden Smith, JT Toppin & More

The landscape of men’s college basketball for the 2025 season features significant diversity in talent and a surprising number of candidates for the All-America Team. The recently announced preseason All-America selections showcase a blend of experience and emerging stars, reflecting the current state of parity across the game.

Highlights from the Preseason All-America Team

This year’s voting for the preseason All-America team revealed a remarkable 26 players from five conferences receiving at least one vote. The mix includes notable veteran players and elite freshmen, emphasizing the evolving dynamics of college basketball.

First Team Selections

Braden Smith, Senior Guard, Purdue: A leading candidate, Smith averaged 15.8 points and 8.7 assists last season. He won the Big Ten Player of the Year award and is on track to challenge Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA assists record.
JT Toppin, Junior Forward, Texas Tech: With a PER that ranked him second nationally, Toppin averaged 19 points and 10.6 rebounds over the final stretch of last season. His performance places him as a key player for Texas Tech moving forward.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Graduate Forward, Michigan: Lendeborg averaged impressive statistics of 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game last year while transitioning to Michigan after his time at UAB.
Cameron Boozer, Freshman Forward, Duke: As one of the top recruits, Boozer showcases versatility that could make him a centerpiece for Duke this season, especially following his exceptional high school career.
Darryn Peterson, Freshman Guard, Kansas: Recognized as an elite incoming freshman by coach Bill Self, Peterson averaged 30.4 points per game in high school and is poised for a significant impact at Kansas.

Second Team Selections

Bennett Stirtz, Senior Guard, Iowa: Stirtz, a top transfer, led Division I in win shares last year and is expected to make a substantial impact at Iowa.
Darrion Williams, Senior Forward, NC State: Recently named ACC Preseason Player of the Year, Williams possesses a balanced skill set that contributed to his successful tenure at Texas Tech.
Donovan Dent, Senior Guard, UCLA: Averaging 20 points and six assists last season while shooting efficiently, Dent is expected to elevate UCLA’s offensive game significantly.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Senior Forward, Purdue: Kaufman-Renn led the Big Ten in usage rate last season, indicating his crucial role in Purdue’s gameplay.
Alex Condon, Junior Forward, Florida: After showing potential as a rebounder last season, Condon’s growth is highly anticipated as Florida approaches a competitive season.

Factors Influencing Player Selections

The selection of these players illustrates a trend toward valuing experience, with the majority of first-team honorees being upperclassmen. Of the ten athletes recognized, eight are seniors or juniors, underlining the importance of seasoned talent in shaping successful teams.

This year’s selections reflect the ongoing evolution of the sport, emphasizing a blend of established players and promising newcomers, ensuring an exciting season for college basketball fans.