A few of the greatest stars within the 2025 recruiting class made their respective faculty debuts on the opening evening of the 2025-26 faculty basketball season on Monday. Whereas Kansas guard Darryn Peterson confirmed basketball followers a glimpse of why he might be the No. 1 general decide within the 2026 NBA Draft, Arizona ahead Koa Peat stole the present and produced one of the vital spectacular performances by a first-year participant in latest reminiscence.
Peat completed with 30 factors, seven rebounds, 5 assists, three steals and one block in Arizona’s 93-87 upset win over reigning nationwide champion Florida. He bodily imposed his will towards one of the vital gifted frontcourts within the nation and used his 6-foot-8, 235-pound body to attain at will.
Whereas Peat was lighting up the competitors in Sin Metropolis, Peterson was making his debut in entrance of followers at Allen Fieldhouse. Peterson completed with 21 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists within the 94-51 win over Inexperienced Bay. BYU ahead AJ Dybantsa, the No. 2 general participant within the 2025 recruiting cycle by 247Sports, additionally completed with 21 factors in a win over Villanova.
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Duke ahead Cameron Boozer made his faculty debut on Tuesday towards Texas. Boozer completed with 15 factors and 13 rebounds in his group’s 75-60 win over the Longhorns. The Blue Devils produced the nationwide participant of the yr final season (Cooper Flagg), and Boozer is anticipated to even be within the combine for probably the most prestigious particular person award within the sport.
Right here is how each five-star prospect from the 2025 recruiting class by 247Sports fared of their faculty debuts this week so as of their 247Sports rating as a a recruit.
1. Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas
Debut stats: 21 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists
Peterson began sturdy towards Inexperienced Bay. He scored 18 factors within the first half and related on 6-of-10 makes an attempt from the ground within the first 20 minutes of motion. Peterson additionally confirmed off his playmaking (three assists) and performed some strong on-ball protection. The actual check for Peterson will come towards higher competitors, however it’s onerous to not get enthusiastic about his long-term outlook. Once more, it might be stunning to me if he wasn’t thought of the clear-cut No. 1 prospect throughout the subsequent few weeks.
2. AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU
Debut stats: 21 factors, six rebounds and three assists
Dybansta made his debut in Las Vegas towards Villanova in probably the most extremely anticipated debut within the historical past of BYU’s basketball program. One of many prime candidates to change into the No. 1 general decide this summer time completed with 21 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists. There has by no means been extra hype across the BYU program than proper now. If Dybansta performs to his potential, that hype will develop tenfold. Dybansta scored 12 of these 21 factors within the second half throughout his group’s 69-64 win.
3. Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
Debut stats: 15 factors, 13 rebounds and two assists
Boozer began sluggish on the offensive finish of the ground towards Texas. He missed his first seven shot makes an attempt from the ground and scored zero factors by the primary 20 minutes of play. Nonetheless, within the second half, Boozer confirmed flashes of why he is such a extremely regarded prospect along with his versatility and power on each ends. Boozer scored all 15 of his factors within the second half and completed with a double-double regardless of a sluggish begin.
Debut stats: 18 factors, 9 rebounds and one help
Ament, the highest-ranked recruit in Tennessee program historical past, began sluggish within the first half earlier than approaching sturdy. Ament scored 12 of his team-high 18 factors within the second half in the course of the 76-61 win over Mercer. Ament is a talented shotmaker who ought to thrive in a featured position for Rick Barnes’ squad. Barnes has had loads of hits within the switch portal, however Ament is probably the most gifted participant he has had since arriving in Knoxville.
Debut stats: 22 factors, 4 assists and two rebounds
Arkansas coach John Calipari had loads of success tales at Kentucky in growing level guards who’re able to play on the NBA degree. Acuff seems to be like he will be subsequent. Acuff completed with 22 factors, 4 assists and two rebounds in 29 minutes throughout a 109-77 win over Southern. Acuff was good as marketed and he is usually a actual distinction maker for Calipari this season.
Debut stats: 11 factors, six assists and three rebounds
Brown solely logged 18 minutes amid a blowout win over South Carolina State. Brown completed with 11 factors, six assists and three rebounds. Brown thrived this summer time whereas enjoying within the FIBA U19 World Cup. He’s a real ground basic who can elevate the ground and ceiling of this Louisville roster. In a non-blowout scenario, he ought to get extra alternatives to point out that.
Debut stats: 12 factors, 10 rebounds and one block
Cenac was one in every of two freshmen in Houston’s beginning lineup on opening evening towards Lehigh. Cenac, a projected first-round decide on this summer time’s draft, confirmed off why he was one of the vital coveted huge males in the newest recruiting cycle by posting a double-double: 12 factors, 10 rebounds in a 75-57 win. The race for Huge 12 Freshman of the Yr must be an all-timer, and Cenac must be within the combine.
Debut stats: 22 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists
Since 2013, North Carolina has produced simply two lottery picks. Cameron Johnson (No. 11 general) and Coby White (No. 7 general) had been each chosen within the 2019 NBA Draft. The excellent news for North Carolina is that the drought may finish this summer time. Wilson logged simply 25 minutes however completed with 22 factors on 8-of-10 taking pictures. He additionally added 4 rebounds and three assists within the 94-54 win over Central Arkansas. He seems to be like the actual deal.
Debut stats: Three factors and two assists
Burries was within the beginning lineup towards Florida and completed with three factors and two assists within the upset win over the Gators. Burries was in foul hassle and picked up his fifth and ultimate foul with lower than 4 minutes remaining.
Has but to make debut because of damage
Arenas suffered a torn meniscus earlier this summer time and is anticipated to overlook most — if not all — of the 2025-26 season. He’s the son of the previous NBA participant Gilbert Arenas.
11. Koa Peat | F | Arizona
Debut stats: 30 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists
Peat had among the best debuts by any participant within the historical past of the game. The 30 factors Peat completed with largely got here on the rim. Peat was going up towards a gifted and skilled frontcourt and was one of the best participant on the ground no matter age or place. Peat has an opportunity to be an actual participant for Tommy Lloyd this season. This debut was only a glimpse of what he would possibly be capable of do. The final time Arizona went to the Last 4 was 2001. If Peat performs like this the remainder of the yr, the Wildcats can be within the combine.
Has but to make debut because of damage
Mullins suffered an ankle damage in observe final month and is anticipated to be sidelined for many of the month of November. Mullins was named the preseason Huge East Freshman of the Yr by CBS Sports activities.
Debut stats: 21 factors, six rebounds and 7 assists
Thomas was an immediate activate the bench for the Razorbacks. Thomas completed with 21 factors, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. Three completely different Arkansas gamers completed with no less than 20 factors, and two of them had been first-year gamers. Calipari has developed loads of one-and-done gamers throughout his teaching profession. Thomas and Acuff are effectively on their approach to turning into the following nice one-and-done gamers to play for Coach Cal.
Debut stats: 24 factors, seven rebounds and one help
Since 2021, Baylor coach Scott Drew has produced six first-round picks — together with VJ Edgecombe, who grew to become the highest-drafted participant in program historical past this previous summer time. Yessoufou goes to be subsequent. He completed with 24 factors and 7 rebounds in simply half-hour of play. He was additionally environment friendly by connecting on 10 of 16 of his makes an attempt from the ground. Yessoufou is already one of the vital athletic gamers within the sport.
Debut stats: 4 factors, three rebounds and two assists
Khamenia got here off the bench towards Texas and logged 14 minutes. He solely tried two area targets — each from the 3-point line — and related on one in every of them. He completed with 4 factors, three rebounds and two assists within the win over the Longhorns.
Different notable debuts
32. Kiyan Anthony | G | Syracuse
Debut stats: 15 factors, three rebounds and three assists
The son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony is already making his personal mark at his father’s alma mater. Anthony got here off the bench throughout his group’s 85-47 win over Binghamton and recorded 15 factors, three rebounds and three assists. Regardless of coming off the bench, he logged a team-high 29 minutes.
No. 21 Trey McKenney | G | Michigan
Debut stats: 21 factors, 4 assists and two rebounds
Michigan’s highest-ranked recruit had a really environment friendly debut off the bench. McKenney scored 21 factors on 7-of-10 taking pictures and knocked down six 3-pointers in his group’s 121-78 win over Oakland.
No. 22 Shon Abaev | F | Cincinnati
Debut stats: 18 factors, two rebounds and one help
The No. 22 general prospect within the 2025 recruiting cycle scored 18 factors on 7 of 12 taking pictures in Cincinnati’s 94-63 win over Western Carolina. Abaev is the highest-ranked participant this system landed within the 247Sports period.