Top College Basketball Players to Watch in the 2026-27 Season
As the 2026-27 college basketball season approaches, the talent pool is notably strong, with several top players opting to return to school instead of entering the NBA Draft. Among them are Jeremy Fears Jr. from Michigan State, Thomas Haugh from Florida, and Tyler Tanner from Vanderbilt, who are ranked as the top three players on the CBS Sports Top 100 And 1 list.
Haugh, who could have been a top 20 NBA pick, chose to return to Florida, where the Gators are set to begin the season as the preseason No. 1 team. Florida boasts three players in the top 20 of the rankings, contributing to their strong position heading into the season. Additionally, the potential for more returning talent exists as high school graduates from 2022 seek an extra year of eligibility due to recent NCAA changes.
With the season starting soon, the eligibility of several players remains uncertain as they pursue legal avenues for additional playing time. Notably, Malik Reneau from Miami is among the highest-ranked players in this situation. The CBS Sports panel considered these eligibility issues when compiling the rankings, which may affect the players' standings if they are not cleared to play.
