Bilas NCAA Basketball 2025 Preseason All-America Teams
More than 200 days will pass between the end of the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season and the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
With the offseason just around the corner — with the latest wave of recruits making their commitments, veteran players finding new homes through the portal and reports coming out of early practices — Bilastrator is taking stock of what to expect when the new season ends on Monday, November 3.
From first team that shares just three selections with preseason AP selections to all-defensive team (which virtually no board awards at the national level), let’s go through my preseason All-America teams.
First team
Braden Smith, Purdue
The top point guard in college basketball averaged 8.7 assists per game last season (2nd in the country) to earn unanimous AP preseason All-America honors heading into his final year at Purdue. Smith is solid, a clutch performer and key to the Boilermakers’ No. 1 AP Top 25 preseason ranking.
Donovan Dent, University of California
Dent is one of the best point guards in the country who should be a difference-maker for Mick Cronin and the Bruins, a year after he lifted the New Mexico Lobos to the NCAA Tournament bubble with top-15 marks in points (20.4 PPG) and assists (6.4 APG).
P.J. Haggerty, Kansas State
Haggerty must surpass his already elite scoring production from the past two seasons to move up from second to first team All-America honors. He averaged 21.2 PPG for Tulsa in 2023-24 and 21.7 PPG for Memphis in 2024-25 (good for third in the country).
JT Tobin, Texas Tech
The only player to finish in the top three in scoring (18.2 PPG) and rebounding (9.4 RPG) in the Big 12 last season, Toppin is one of the best players in the country. Highlight Reel walk-on averaged a double-double (19.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG) while leading the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight in March.
Yaxel Lindeborg, Michigan
Lendeborg saw his NBA stock rise to the bottom of the first round in June of this year, after a season at UAB. A dominant rim protector (his 11.4 blocks per game was third in the country), the big man also led the Blazers in scoring (17.7), rebounds (11.4) and assists (4.2). He decided to return to college and should be present at both ends of Michigan Hall.
The second team
AJ DiBantsa, BYU
Dybantsa, the No. 1 recruit in the SC Next 100 class of 2025, has the length and athleticism needed to lead the Cougars deeper into the NCAA Tournament after making the Sweet 16 less than eight months ago. Expect to hear a lot about BYU’s biggest star since Jimmer Fredette.
Darren Peterson, Kansas
Another highly regarded recruit with a real chance to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Peterson could be the most talented rookie to ever play for Bill Self. He is a dynamic scorer and playmaker who should carry the offense in Lawrence.
Cameron Bowser, Duke
Boozer and the freshman-led Blue Devils have big shoes to fill for Durham. But the son of former Duke star Carlos Boozer has experience to draw on. A dual threat, he is one of the most decorated high school players of all time.
Otega County, Kentucky
Oweh has flourished under coach Mark Pope, raising his scoring from 11.4 PPG with Oklahoma in 2023-24 to 16.2 PPG with Kentucky in 2024-25. The big man attacks in transition and should have an even bigger season as the roster approaches full health.
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Coach Rick Barnes named Ament — the fourth and final freshman to make the second team — the No. 1 player in the class of 2025. Whether that turns out to be true or not, it’s clear that Ament will have an important role for the Volunteers starting at the end of the season.
The third team
Darrion Williams, NC State
Recently named the ACC Preseason Player of the Year after earning All-Big 12 honors with Texas Tech on 15.1 PPG and 3.6 APG last season, Williams will have more opportunities to generate offense as the cornerstone of Will Wade’s first team in Raleigh.
Emanuel Sharp, Houston
One of Houston’s key leaders coming back after losing in the title game last season, Sharp should carry enough of the offensive share vacated by LJ Cryer to surpass his record of 12.6 PPG the past two seasons.
Alex Condon, Florida
One of the most skilled big men in college basketball returns to once again play a leadership role for the reigning champion Gators. Expect more from Condon on the glass (7.5 RPG in 2024-25) and offense (10.6 PPG in 2024-25).
Trey Kaufman Rennes, Bordeaux
After earning an honorable mention nod and finishing in the top 20 nationally in points scored (20.1 PPG), Kaufman-Rehn should step up as a complete All-America selection — if he and Smith can lead Purdue to a season worthy of the Boilermakers’ No. 1 preseason ranking.
Tahad Pettiford, Auburn
Pettiford, the lone returnee from last season’s Final Four team, should see a significant increase in his workload. He stepped up for the Tigers during the NCAA Tournament with 15.2 points and 3.4 assists — averages above his regular season numbers.
Honorable mentions
Bennett Sturtz, Iowa
Alex Karaban, UConn
Zobe Ejiofor, St. John’s
Graham Icke, Gonzaga
LaBaron Philon Jr., Alabama
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Jacoby Gillespie, Tennessee
Tucker DeVries, Indiana
Ryan Conwell, Louisville
Richie Saunders, BYU
Integrated defense team
Joseph Togler, Houston
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Mohamed Diobati, Kentucky
Malik Brown, Duke
All-freshman team
Darren Peterson, Kansas
AJ DiBantsa, BYU
Cameron Bowser, Duke
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Caleb Wilson, North Carolina