The Big 12 is home to two of the most talented players in the nation: Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s AJ Dybansta, both seen by fans as likely top-two picks in the 2026 NBA Draft BIG12 Wbb Rallyfuel 2025.
This level of talent puts the Big 12 at the center of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likenes) universe. While teams like Houston and Texas Tech are legitimate national title contenders, the season will be defined by its superstars—and the fan fuel that supports them.
This preview breaks down the on-court contenders and the key NIL athletes you can fuel directly on RallyFuel.
Here’s a preview and rankings for the 2025-26 Big 12 men’s basketball season:
1. HOUSTON
Coach Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars are the heavy fan favorite to win their third straight Big 12 championship. Counting Big 12 Tournament games, Houston is 39-5 in conference play over the last two seasons. All-Big 12 guard Milos Uzan (11.4 points per game last season) will be joined in the backcourt by another returning double-digit scorer in Emanuel Sharp. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Joseph Tugler also returns and the Cougars added an elite recruit in freshman Chris Cenac Jr. Brand Fit Over Fame.
Houston NIL Spotlight: The Cougars are built to win now. Fans can fuel the returning All-Big 12 core of Milos Uzan, Emanuel Sharp, and Joseph Tugler as they chase a national title. Plus, fan-fueling elite recruit Chris Cenac Jr. from day one shows him the power of the Houston fanbase.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Cougars on RallyFuel
2. KANSAS
The Jayhawks used to dominate the Big 12, but that hasn’t been the case in the last few seasons. Veteran coach Bill Self will by trying to get the Jayhawks back to the top of the pack and that task got a little easier when five-star freshman Darryn Peterson, a likely lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, arrived on campus.
Kansas NIL Spotlight: Kansas has the ultimate NIL asset: Darryn Peterson. This is a rare chance for fans to fuel a future #1 NBA draft pick during his freshman season. The Jayhawk faithful can make a massive statement by fan-fueling Peterson’s historic run and helping Coach Self build the next championship team around him.
➡️ Fan Fuel Darryn Peterson & the Jayhawks Now
3. TEXAS TECH
Hopes among Texas Tech fans are extremely high and there are good reasons for that. Big 12 Player of the Year J.T. Toppin chose to skip the 2025 NBA Draft and stay at Texas Tech. Coach Grant McCasland has a history of getting his teams to overachieve and his 10th Texas Tech team might be his most talented. Big East Mbb 2025
Texas Tech NIL Spotlight: J.T. Toppin is back. After skipping the NBA Draft, the Big 12 Player of the Year is running it back, and this is where fans can show their appreciation. Fueling your star player for his loyalty is what NIL is all about. This is the fan fuel that powers a “Final Four” run.
➡️ Fan Fuel J.T. Toppin & the Red Raiders
4. ARIZONA
Arizona reached the Sweet 16 last season and fans are expecting at least that much for this season. Guard Jaden Bradley is the top returner after averaging 12.1 points and 3.7 assists last season. He’ll be joined by a pair of five-star freshman in Koa Peat and Brayden Burries.
Arizona NIL Spotlight: The Wildcats are reloading with a scary trio: returning star Jaden Bradley and two five-star freshmen, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries. This is a “super-team” build. Fans can fuel the veteran leader and get in on the ground floor with the new superstars.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Wildcats on RallyFuel
5. BYU
BYU has potentially has the most talented roster in school history. At the very top of that roster is forward AJ Dybansta, a potential lotter pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybansta is the most talented player in BYU history (sorry, Danny Ainge) and his supporting cast got a lot stronger with the arrival of transfer guard Rob Wright, who averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 assists at Baylor last season.
BYU NIL Spotlight: The Cougars have their own future lottery pick in AJ Dybansta. This is a historic moment for the program, and fans can be a part of it. Fueling a generational talent like Dybansta—and his new transfer running mate Rob Wright—is how BYU can compete at the highest level.
➡️ Fan Fuel AJ Dybansta & the Cougars
6. BAYLOR
Scott Drew’s team is basically starting over. Baylor doesn’t have a returning player that even scored a single point last season. But the rebuilding process will be made easier because the Bears brought in an elite recruit in guard Tounde Yessofou. He may not be around long because he’s projected as an early pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But what very well may be his one season at Baylor is expected to be a big one.
Baylor NIL Spotlight: It’s a total rebuild, but the Bears have a “one-and-done” superstar in Tounde Yessofou. This is the definition of a ground-floor opportunity for fans. With no returning scorers, all eyes are on Yessofou. He needs the full fuel of the Baylor fanbase from the second he steps on campus.
7. CINCINNATI
Coach Wes Miller dismissed last season’s leading scorer Jizzle James from the team in August. That leaves Day Day Thomas as the top returner. The Bearcats, who have come up short of an NCAA Tournament berth each of the last four seasons, should be helped greatly by a pair of top transfers — Kerry Kriisa (Kentucky) and Jalen Celestine (Baylor)
Cincinnati NIL Spotlight: After losing their leading scorer, the Bearcats are leaning on key transfers Kerry Kriisa and Jalen Celestine to break the NCAA drought. This is where fan fuel matters most. Fueling this new transfer class is the best way for fans to help Cincy get back to the Big Dance.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Bearcats on RallyFuel
8. IOWA STATE
Coach TJ Otzelberger has led the Cyclones to the NCAA Tournament every season since taking over in 2021. With the return of Milan Momcilovic, Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson, fans are expecting that streak to continue.
Iowa State NIL Spotlight: The streak is alive, thanks to a strong returning core. Fans can fuel the veterans Milan Momcilovic, Tamin Lipsey, and Joshua Jefferson as they aim for another deep March run. This is the fan fuel that rewards loyalty and experience.
9. KANSAS STATE
Jerome Tang used the transfer portal as well as any coach in the nation in an attempt to get his team back to the NCAA Tournament after not getting bids the last two seasons. P.J. Haggerty is the gem of the incoming transfers. At Memphis last season, Haggerty averaged 21.7 points and 5.8 rebounds. while earning AAC Player of the Year honors. Another transfer, Nate Johnson was the conference Player of the Year in the MAC after averaging 14 points and 4.9 assists for Akron last season. Big East Womens Basketball
Kansas State NIL Spotlight: K-State just landed two conference Players of the Year. P.J. Haggerty (AAC POY) and Nate Johnson (MAC POY) are an instant-impact duo. This is a massive portal win, and fans can make them feel welcome and ready to win by fueling them on RallyFuel.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Wildcats on RallyFuel
10. TCU
After falling short of the NCAA Tournament last season, coach Jamie Dixon reached deep into the transfer portal and pulled off what looks to be a quick rebuild. His top two transfers are guard Jayden Pierre, who averaged 12.3 points for Providence last year, and guard Brock Harding, a three-point specialist who played at Iowa last season.
TCU NIL Spotlight: The Horned Frogs are rebuilding through the portal, and it all starts with their new backcourt of Jayden Pierre and Brock Harding. Fan fuel for these two transfers is the most direct way for fans to get involved in the rebuild and fuel the team’s push back to the NCAA Tournament.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Horned Frogs Now
11. OKLAHOMA STATE
The Cowboys hit the transfer portal hard and brought in seven players that spent last season at different schools. The top transfer is guard Anthony Roy, who was leading the nation in scoring for Green Bay last year before an injury cut his season short. Oklahoma State also added Christian Coleman, who averaged 11.6 points for UAB last season. Big Ten 2025 26
Oklahoma State NIL Spotlight: With seven new transfers, this is a brand new team. The key to success is getting scorers like Anthony Roy and Christian Coleman integrated quickly. The best way for the Cowboy faithful to show their fuel is by getting behind this new class from day one.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Cowboys on RallyFuel
12. WEST VIRGINIA
With Russ Hodge now onboard, West Virginia has its fourth coach in four years. Hodge has quickly rebuilt his roster by adding transfers Honor Huff, who averaged 15.2 points at Chattanooga last season and forward Treysen Eaglestaff, who averaged 18.9 points for North Dakota last season.
West Virginia NIL Spotlight: It’s a new era (again) in Morgantown. To build stability, Coach Hodge’s new high-scoring transfers, Honor Huff and Treysen Eaglestaff, need the full backing of the fanbase. Fuelingthese new players is the best way for fans to fuel the new coach’s vision.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Mountaineers Now
The Big 12 is a Battle of Superstars, Fueled by Fans
The 2025-26 Big 12 season will be defined by its elite talent. From future lottery picks like Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybansta to POY-caliber transfers like J.T. Toppin and P.J. Haggerty, the conference is a showcase of NIL power College Athlete Branding.
- 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. It’s time to rally.
➡️ Find Your Team and Fan Fuel a Big 12 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.
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