As they begin their freshmen basketball seasons, BYU’s AJ Dybansta and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson already are projected as potential lottery picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. That means they likely will get eight-figure contracts (Cooper Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 draft signed a four-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks that’s worth $62.7 million).
For now, though, they’ll have to settle for seven figures. Thanks to NIL, Dybansta and Peterson each will make millions of dollars during what are likely to be one-and-done stints at their respective schools. They’re not alone. A very strong group of other freshmen have the potential to earn millions through NIL.
Here’s a look at 2025-26 Division I freshman men’s basketball players that have the potential to earn big NIL money:
HIGH-DOLLAR GUYS
AJ Dybansta, Small Forward, BYU
Before he played his first college game, most mocks of the 2026 NBA Draft, had Dybansta as the No. 1 overall pick. Even though BYU is in a small market, Dybansta is very much on the national radar and his potential NIL earnings seem endless. On3 currently estimates Dybansta’s NIL valuation at $4.4 million.
Cameron Boozer, Power Forward, Duke
His last name alone makes Boozer very attractive for NIL deals. His father Carlos Boozer is a Duke legend and former NBA All-Star. But, even on his own, Cameron Boozer has enormous earning potential at one of the nation’s top powerhouses. The Gatorade 2025 Male Athlete of the Year, Boozer is expected to immediately star for the Blue Devils. His current estimated NIL valuation is $2.1 million.
Darryn Peterson, Guard, Kansas
With Peterson and and Dybansta, there is a ton of fan excitement in the Big 12 — even if they only stay for one year. Most early mock drafts have Peterson going as the second pick, right after Dybansta. But a big freshman season could vault Peterson into the No. 1 spot. With a flashy game and playing for a traditional national blueblood program, Peterson could attract lots of NIL money. His current estimated NIL valuation is $1.9 million.
Nate Ament, Forward, Tennessee
A McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit, Ament has enormous NIL potential at a school where football is king. But Ament’s arrival has raised the profile of Tennessee’s basketball program.
Bryce James, Guard, Arizona
Much like Boozer, James’ NIL potential is helped by the fact he has a famous father (all-time NBA great LeBron James). He also has a famous brother (Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James). But James as made a name for himself. Even while still in high school, he signed a lucrative NIL deal with Klutch Sports.
THE NEXT FIVE
Caleb Wilson, Forward, North Carolina
At 6-foot-10, Wilson became one of the nation’s top power forwards the moment he walked onto the court in Chapel Hill, where legends like Michael Jordan have grown up. A McDonald’s All-American and Georgia’s Mr. Basketball in his senior year of high school, the Atlanta native already had a very high profile. Playing at a traditional powerhouse should only enhance his NIL possibilities.
Chris Cenac Jr., Forward, Houston
The New Orleans native emerged as an elite recruit at Link Academy in Branson, Mo., and was the MVP at the inaugural Nike EYBL Scholastic Tournament in March. He chose Houston over offers from LSU, Auburn, Arkansas Baylor, Kentucky and Tennessee. At Houston, Cenac joins senior guard Milos Uzan (another potential big NIL earner) to give the Cougars a team that fans are talking about as a possible national title contender.
Mikel Brown Jr., Guard Louisville
One of the top point guards in the Class of 2025, Brown is an attractive prospect for NIL deals. A McDonald’s All-American and Team USA member, Brown is expected to start immediately for a Louisville team that won 27 games last season and has even higher expectations for this season.
Koa Peat, Forward, Arizona
Peat went off for 30 points in his college debut against defending national champion Florida earlier this week. That’s only going to enhance his profile and his NL possibilities. Along with fellow freshmen Bryce James and Brayden Burries, Peat gives Arizona the nation’s top trio from an NIL earning standpoint.
Kiyan Anthony, Guard, Syracuse
Much like Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Arizona’s Bryce James, Anthony is the son of a famous father — Carmelo Anthony — and that helps his profile and NIL potential. Carmelo Anthony is quite possibly the biggest star in Orange history and Syracuse is a one-horse town where basketball is king. That only increases Anthony’s NIL potential on a regional level. Oh, one more thing that can’t hurt his profile and NIL possibilities: Anthony also has a famous mother — television personality and actress La La Anthony.
THE NEXT FIVE
Darius Acuff, Guard, Arkansas
Acuff first drew attention as a high schooler playing in the prestigious Detroit Public School League. But he left after his sophomore season for the even-more prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he elevated his game and his image. It won’t hurt his earning potential that he’ll be playing for three-time Naismith College Coach of the Year John Calipari at Arkansas.
Brayden Burries, Guard, Arizona
Back in the 1991-92 season Michigan had the iconic “Fab Five”. Now, Arizona just might have “The Terrific Trio”. Burries will be teamed with fellow hot-shot freshmen Bryce James and Koa Peat to generate lots of excitement and potential NIL deals in Tucson.
Meleek Thomas, Guard, Arkansas
Thomas had 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds in his college debut, an Arkansas win against Michigan State. Thomas chose to come to Fayetteville over offers from his hometown school (Pittsburgh) and national power UConn. At Arkansas, he’ll join with point guard Darius Acuff to giive the Razorbacks perhaps the best freshman backcourt in the nation.
Isiah Harwell, Guard, Houston
With Harwell and Chris Cenac Jr., the Cougars landed a stellar recruiting class. Add in a solid group of returners and it’s no surprise that fans are talking about Houston as a favorite to win the national championship.
Tounde Yessoufou, Forward, Baylor
Yessoufou just might be the most famous basketball player ever from the country of Benin. He moved to Santa Maria, Calif., just before starting high school and developed into a top prospect. His unique backstory alone could open the door for NIL deals.
Cayden Boozer, Forward, Duke
Camden Boozer wasn’t the only Boozer to arrive in Durham this fall. He’s joined by his twin brother, Cayden. Camden is the more highly-regarded player of the two. But the twins storyline could make for some attractive NIL deals.
NEXT IN LINE
Braylon Mullins, Guard, UConn
A shooting guard, Mullins was one of the nation’s top recruits out of Greenfield, Ind. But his potential NIL earnings took a bit of a short-term hit as UConn recently announced he’ll miss the first six weeks of the season due to an ankle injury.
Alijah Arenas, Guard, USC
This highly-touted prospect and son of former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas has had a rash of bad luck in recent months. Arenas was involved in a serious car crash in April. He was able to briefly start practicing in July. But he later required knee surgery and will, at very least, have to sit out the first half of the season
Kingston Flemmings, Guard, Houston.
Yet another member of Houston’s outstanding recruiting class, this 6-foot-2 point guard is known as a flashy player. He could join with fellow freshmen Chris Cenec Jr. and Isiah Harwell to help give 70-year-old coach Kelvin Sampson his first national championship.
Shelton Henderson, Forward, Miami
Henderson shocked the basketball world when he de-committed from Duke and signed with Miami. In Coral Gables, he’ll big a big fish in a pond that’s smaller than the one Duke swims in. That could land him more NIL deals.
Jalen Haralson, Forward, Notre Dame
One of the top players in Indiana, Haralson decided to stay close to home. In South Bend, coach Mike Shrewsberry said he expects Haralson to be a “do-everything” player.
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