The top men’s basketball player in the nation last season, Duke’s Cooper Flagg, left for the NBA. But, somehow, the Atlantic Coast Conference has gotten stronger. 2025 NIL Freshmen Stars
How? A massive influx of big-name transfers and blue-chip recruits. This isn’t just a talent shift; it’s a NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) arms race. The nine ACC teams with NCAA tournament hopes will get there based on one thing: fan fuel.
This preview breaks down the on-court contenders and, more importantly, the key NIL athletes you can fuel directly on RallyFuel.
Here’s a season preview with team rankings for ACC men’s basketball in the 2025-26 season:
1. DUKE
Losing a player like Flagg usually is devastating, but the Blue Devils have reloaded and they’re the fan favorite to win the ACC and at least contend for a national title. That’s mainly because Duke has added a player who might end up being just as good as Flagg. That’s freshman Cameron Boozer, the son of Duke great and former NBA player Carlos Boozer. Fans and experts viewed Boozer as one of the best players to come out of high school in recent years. Now, Boozer (along with his twin brother, Cayden) is in Durham along with another talented freshman, Dame Sarr. They’ll join top returners Isaiah Evans, Patrick Ngongba II and Caleb Foster to give coach Jon Scheyer a roster that’s capable of winning it all. Zheng Repeats NCAA Tennis
Duke NIL Spotlight: The Blue Devils are a NIL juggernaut. Fans can fuel the next Duke dynasty by getting behind the Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden, and the rest of this elite freshman class. Fueling veterans like Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster is how Duke powers a run for the national title.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Blue Devils on RallyFuel
2. LOUISVILLE
There is a lot of fan buzz surrounding the Cardinals after they won 27 games and went to the NCAA Tournament last season. Louisville also is a legitimate national title contender under coach Pat Kelsey. One of the main reasons for the fan excitement in Louisville is the arrival of freshman Mikel Brown, who was viewed as the top point guard in the 2025 recruiting class. Brown will join a trio of transfers — Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Isaac McKeeley (Virginia) and Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State) to give Louisville one of the nation’s top backcourts. The Cardinals also have some talent up front with J’Vonne Hadley, Sananda Fru and Aly Khalifa.
Louisville NIL Spotlight: The ‘L’ is back, and the buzz is real. Fans can fuel the hype by backing the new-look roster, starting with #1 PG recruit Mikel Brown and the high-powered transfer backcourt of Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKeeley. This is the fan fuel that powers a national title contender. This momentum echoes broader conference trends highlighted in ACC 2025 26 Women Basketball.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Cardinals on RallyFuel
3. NC STATE
New NC State coach Will Wade has a history of turning around programs. That could happen very quickly in Raleigh because the Wolfpack now has one of the best players in the ACC and in the nation. Forward Darrion Williams has transferred in from Texas Tech and he alone will be enough to keep NC State competitive most nights. But Williams will have plenty of help from three other talented transfers — Tre Holloman (Michigan State, Ven-Allen Lubin (North Carolina) and Terrance Arceneaux (Kentucky).
NC State NIL Spotlight: The Wolfpack has a certified star in Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams. This is a massive opportunity for the fanbase to fuel a Big 12 talent. Fueling him and other key transfers like Tre Holloman and Ven-Allen Lubin is how Coach Wade fast-tracks this turnaround.
4. NORTH CAROLINA
Coach Hubert Davis is under some pressure from fans after the Tar Heels made an early exit from last season’s NCAA Tournament. But Davis has a roster that’s capable of lifting him off the hot season. Freshman power forward was one of the nation’s top recruits and is viewed as a likely lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But, before that happens, Wilson will have a season in Chapel Hill where he’ll be joined by three key transfers — Jarin Stevenson (Alabama), Henri Veesar (Arizona) and Kyan Evans (Colorado State).
UNC NIL Spotlight: The Heels are reloaded. Fans can fuel the next era of UNC basketball by fan-fuelingtheir top-ranked freshman power forward. Fueling key transfers like Jarin Stevenson and Henri Veesar is how this team builds the depth for a deep March run.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Tar Heels on RallyFuel
5. SMU
Fans expect SMU to end an NCAA Tournament drought that dates back to 2017. The main reason for the optimism is the arrival of guard Jaron Pierre Jr., who will be playing at his fourth school. Pierre started his career at Southern Miss before transferring to Wichita State. He spent last season at Jacksonville State and was the Conference USA Player of the Year while averaging 21.6 points per game. He’ll join with returner Boopie Miller to give SMU one of the ACC’s top backcourts.
SMU NIL Spotlight: The “Pony Up” mantra now includes fan fuel. SMU is all-in on C-USA Player of the Year Jaron Pierre Jr. Fans can fuel his high-scoring campaign and support his backcourt partner, Boopie Miller, as they aim to end the tournament drought. Their rise aligns with insights from the American Conference 2025 Basketball Preview.
6. VIRIGINA
Former VCU coach Ryan Odom takes over in Charlottesville after the Cavaliers spent last season under interim coach Ron Sanchez, who took over after Tony Bennett resigned just weeks before the season started. The other significant arrival for Virginia is transfer Malik Thomas, who averaged just under 20 points per game for San Francisco last season.
Virginia NIL Spotlight: It’s a new era in Charlottesville. Fans can show their fuel for new coach Ryan Odom by fan-fueling his #1 transfer, Malik Thomas. Fueling a 20-point-per-game scorer is the fastest way for UVA to get back to the top of the ACC.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Cavaliers on RallyFuel
7. WAKE FOREST
Although the Deamon Deacons haven’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2010, fans have high hopes that streak will end this season. The main reasons for optimism are the return of forward Tre’Von Spillers, who averaged 9.9 points and 7.8 rebounds last season) and the arrival of guard Mekhi Mason, a transfer from Washington.
Wake Forest NIL Spotlight: The Deacs are on the verge of breaking their NCAA drought. Fans can be the difference. Fueling returning star Tre’Von Spillers and new Washington transfer Mekhi Mason is the fan fuel this team needs to go dancing.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Demon Deacons Now
8. SYRACUSE
Coach Adrian Autry is getting some heat after posting a 34-31 record in two seasons after taking over for the legendary Jim Boeheim. But the Orange could be in for a breakout season. Returner J.J. Starling is one of the top guards in the ACC and forward Donnie Freeman is back after missing the second half of last season with a leg injury. But the player who could be at the center of a Syracuse resurgence is freshman Kivan Anthony, who was a blue-chip recruit in 2025 and is the son of Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony.
Syracuse NIL Spotlight: The buzz is back. ‘Cuse fans can fuel the resurgence by getting behind returning guard J.J. Starling and the son of a legend, freshman Kiyan Anthony. Fueling this duo is how the Orange get back to being an ACC contender.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Orange on RallyFuel
9. NOTRE DAME
In his third season at Notre Dame, coach Micah Shrewsberry has his most talented team yet. The Irish have one of the ACC’s top players in guard Markus Burton, who averaged 21.3 points per game and connected on 37.5 percent of his three-point attempts last year. Burton is a fan favorite to lead the nation in scoring this year. Guard Braden Shrewsberry (the coach’s son) and forward Kebba Njie also are returning starters and top recruit Jalen Haralson should get plenty of minutes in the backcourt.
Notre Dame NIL Spotlight: The Irish have one of the nation’s best scorers in Markus Burton. Fans can fuel his All-American campaign. With a strong supporting cast of Braden Shrewsberry and top recruit Jalen Haralson, this is a team worth fan-fueling.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Fighting Irish Now
10. CLEMSON
Coach Brad Brownell will be shooting for a third straight NCAA Tournament berth and he’ll be doing it with a largely-new roster. The Tigers added four transfers and that group is highlighted by former Nevada power forward Nick Davidson and forward RJ Godfrey, who spent his first two years at Clemson before playing at Georgia last season. The top returner for the Tigers is Dillon Hunter.
Clemson NIL Spotlight: The Tigers are re-tooling. Fans can fuel the new-look frontcourt by welcoming back RJ Godfrey and fueling Nevada transfer Nick Davidson. This is a call to action for the fanbase to fuelthe push for a third straight tourney bid.
11. VIRGINIA TECH
Hokies fans are excited about the arrival of freshman shooting guard/small forward Neoklis Avdalas, who played professionally in Greece the last three years. Avdalas is expected to have an immediate impact and the same is true of transfer Izaiah Pasha, who averaged 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for Delaware last season.
VT NIL Spotlight: The Hokies are bringing in international and transfer talent. Fans can fuel pro-ready freshman Neoklis Avdalas and Delaware transfer Izaiah Pasha as they step into key roles. Fueling new talent is how you build a tournament team.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Hokies on RallyFuel
12. PITT
Coach Jeff Capel has a roster filled with fresh faces this season. The Panthers added a pair of Iowa State transfers in Dishon Jackson and Nojus Indrusaitis, who is originally from Lithuania. They also picked up forward Barry Dunning Jr., who averaged 15.1 points and 7.1 rebounds at South Alabama last season and Australian Roman Siulepa is an unknown with lots of potential.
Pitt NIL Spotlight: It’s a whole new team for Pitt. The fanbase can get behind this rebuild by fueling the new arrivals. Fueling high-impact transfers like Dishon Jackson, Nojus Indrusaitis, and Barry Dunning Jr. is the best way to get this new roster to click. This approach reflects NIL patterns outlined in the American Conference 2025 Wbb NIL Preview.
13. MIAMI
Almost everything is new in Coral Gables and fans expect that to be a good thing after the Canes tied the school record for losses in a season (24) last year. Former Duke assistant Jai Lucas takes over as coach and he was able to flip former Duke signee Shelton Henderson, The forward was viewed as a top-30 player on most 2025 recruiting lists and should get immediate playing time. Lucas also was able to bring in a pair of talented transfers from the Big Ten in Malik Reneau (Indiana) and Tre Donaldson (Michigan).
Miami NIL Spotlight: It’s a fresh start for the ‘Canes. Fans can fuel the new era under Coach Lucas by fueling his big-time freshman flip, Shelton Henderson, and his top-tier Big Ten transfers, Malik Reneauand Tre Donaldson.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Hurricanes on RallyFuel
14. GEORGIA TECH
Georgia Tech was 17-17 under coach Damon Stoudamire last season, but fans are hoping for a big step up from the Yellow Jackets. Forward Baye Ndongo is back after averaging 13.4 points and 8.9 assists last season and forward Kowacie Reeves, who averaged 9.3 points per game last year. The Yellow Jackets also picked up guard Lamar Washington, who averaged 13.5 points at Pacific last year.
Georgia Tech NIL Spotlight: The Jackets are looking for a breakout year. Fans can fuel the returning frontcourt star Baye Ndongo and fuel the new backcourt transfer, Lamar Washington, as he brings his 13.5 ppg to the ACC.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Yellow Jackets Now
15. STANFORD
The Cardinal won 21 games last season, coach Kyle Smith’s first, and fans are expecting even more this season. Stanford will rely on several returners and will look for production from transfer Jeremy Dent-Smith, who averaged 19.2 points for Division II Cal State Dominquez Hills last season.
Stanford NIL Spotlight: As Stanford enters the ACC, fan fuel is critical. The team will lean on DII scoring machine Jeremy Dent-Smith. Fueling a player ready to make the D1 leap is a great way for fans to show their fuel for the new conference.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Cardinal on RallyFuel
16. CALIFORNIA
Coach Mark Madsen hit the transfer pool hard in the offseason and came up with seven players that fans expect to contribute right away. That list is head by guard Justin Pippen (the son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen) from Michigan and guard Dai Dai Ames, who averaged 8.7 points per game for Virginia last season
Cal NIL Spotlight: Cal is another newcomer with a roster full of new faces. This is a chance for Bears fans to fuel the rebuild by getting behind Michigan transfer Justin Pippen and former UVA guard Dai Dai Ames.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Golden Bears on RallyFuel
17. BOSTON COLLEGE
Coming off a 12-19 season, there’s nowhere to go but up for Boston College. Junior guard Donald Hand Jr. returns after averaging 15.9 points last season and Missouri transfer Aidan Shaw is expected to step into the starting lineup along with South Dakota transfer Chase Forte.
Boston College NIL Spotlight: The Eagles’ rebuild is powered by their star returning guard, Donald Hand Jr. Fans can fuel his campaign and fuel the new transfer additions, Aidan Shaw and Chase Forte, as they try to turn the program around.
18. FLORIDA STATE
Former NBA assistant Luke Loucks returns to his alma mater to take over from Leonard Hamilton as the coach in Tallahassee. Loucks and the Seminoles will be starting from scratch and they’ll rely heavily on transfers, particularly guard Robert McCrary V, who averaged over 16 points per game for Jacksonville in each of the last two seasons.
FSU NIL Spotlight: It’s a complete restart for the ‘Noles. Fans can get in on the ground floor of a new era by fueling the new go-to scorer, Jacksonville transfer Robert McCrary V. This is fan fuel that builds a new foundation.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Seminoles on RallyFuel
The ACC is a NIL Battleground, Fueled by Fans
The ACC is arguably the deepest conference in America, and the battle will be won in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail. This is where fan fuel becomes the ultimate x-factor. Why Division Ii And
From Duke’s superstars to FSU’s rebuild, every program’s success is now tied to its fanbase.
- You are no longer just a spectator. You are a participant.
- RallyFuel is the platform built for fans to get in the game. It’s the simplest, most direct way to fuel your favorite players, help your team build a dominant roster, and show the power of your fanbase.
- The season is here. Rule the Fuel.
➡️ Find Your Team and Fan Fuel an ACC Athlete Today
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
Leave a Comment