College Basketball Season Kicks Off with Star Freshmen Peterson and Dybantsa Leading the Way

Kansas City, Mo. — As the college basketball season begins, freshmen Darryn Peterson (Kansas) and A.J. Dybantsa (BYU) are set to lead their teams. Peterson and Dybantsa have long been ranked No. 1A and 1B among prep basketball players. One of their most famous matchups saw Peterson score 58 points while Dybantsa scored 49 in a Grind Session game.

Dybantsa said, “He’s a professional scorer. He can score at all three levels and makes all the right reads.” Many NBA analysts view one of these two as the No. 1 prospect for next year’s draft.

Other top freshmen include North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., Tennessee’s Nate Ament, and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas.

The Big 12 conference boasts one of the strongest collections of freshmen in recent history. Peterson and Dybantsa will face off on January 31, when the Jayhawks host the Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse.

Houston, last season’s national runner-up, has supplemented its experienced core with 6-foot-5 guard Isiah Harwell and 6-10 forward Chris Cenac Jr. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said, “Cenac is going to be good. We’re just starting his journey; the NBA will probably finish it.”

Arizona recruits Koa Peat and Brayden Burries also have NBA potential, with Peat scoring 30 points in his debut against third-ranked defending champion Florida.

Baylor forward Tounde Yessoufou, who moved from Benin to play high school basketball in California, said, “I’m not nervous, more excited to compete. It wasn’t easy, but I got more comfortable.”

This season, many freshmen across college basketball are preparing for a future in the NBA, with some likely to receive professional opportunities soon.