Sports
Bilas’ men’s NCAA basketball 2025 preseason All-America teams
More than 200 days will have passed between the end of the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season and the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign.
As the offseason has unfolded — with the final wave of recruits making their commitments, veteran players finding new homes via the portal and reports coming out of early practices — the Bilastrator has been evaluating what to expect when the new season tips on Monday, Nov. 3.
From a first team that shares only three selections with the AP’s preseason picks to an all-defensive team (that no governing body actually awards at a national level), let’s run through my preseason All-America teams.
First team
The best point guard in college basketball dished out 8.7 assists per game last season (second in the nation) to earn unanimous AP preseason All-America honors heading into his final year at Purdue. Smith is tough, a clutch performer and key to the Boilermakers’ first preseason AP Top 25 No. 1 ranking.
Dent is one of the best pick-and-roll guards in the country who should be a difference-maker for Mick Cronin and the Bruins, a year after elevating the New Mexico Lobos onto the NCAA tournament bubble with top-15 marks in points (20.4 PPG) and assists (6.4 APG).
Haggerty should exceed his already elite scoring production from the past two seasons to promote himself from second- to first-team All-America honors. He averaged 21.2 PPG for Tulsa in 2023-24 and 21.7 PPG for Memphis in 2024-25 (good for third in the country).
The only player who was top-3 in scoring (18.2 PPG) and rebounding (9.4 RPG) in the Big 12 last season, Toppin is one of the best players in the country. The walking highlight reel averaged a double-double (19.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG) while leading the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight in March.
Lendeborg saw his NBA draft stock rise into the bottom of the first round this June, after a season at UAB. A dominant rim protector (his 11.4 blocks per game were third in the country), the big man also led the Blazers in scoring (17.7), rebounds (11.4) and assists (4.2). He decided to return to college and should be a presence on both ends of the floor for Michigan.
Second team
The No. 1 recruit in the SC Next 100 class of 2025, Dybantsa has the length and athleticism to go with a competitive drive to lead the Cougars on an even deeper NCAA tournament run after making the Sweet 16 less than eight months ago. Expect to hear a lot about BYU’s biggest star since Jimmer Fredette.
Another highly touted recruit with a real case to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Peterson could be the most talented freshman to ever play for Bill Self. He’s a dynamic scorer and playmaker and should carry the offense in Lawrence.
Boozer and the freshmen-led Blue Devils have big shoes to fill in Durham. But the son of former Duke star Carlos Boozer has experience to lean on. A double-double threat, he is one of the most decorated high school players ever.
Oweh has blossomed under coach Mark Pope, upping his scoring from 11.4 PPG with Oklahoma in 2023-24 to 16.2 PPG with Kentucky in 2024-25. The big man attacks in transition and should have an even bigger season with the roster closer to full health.
Coach Rick Barnes has called Ament — the fourth and final freshman to make the second-team cut — the No. 1 player in this 2025 class. Whether that turns out to be true or not, it’s clear Ament will have a significant role for the Volunteers from season tip.
Third team
Recently named the ACC preseason Player of the Year after earning All-Big 12 honors with Texas Tech on 15.1 PPG and 3.6 APG marks last season, Williams will have even more opportunities to generate offense as the cornerstone of Will Wade’s first team in Raleigh.
One of Houston’s key leaders to return after last season’s title game loss, Sharp should carry enough of the offensive share vacated by LJ Cryer to outperform his 12.6 PPG scoring of the past two seasons.
One of the most skilled big men in college basketball returns to once again play a leading role for the reigning champion Gators. Expect more from Condon on the glass (7.5 RPG in 2024-25) and offense (10.6 PPG in 2024-25).
After earning an honorable mention nod and finishing inside the top 20 nationally in scoring (20.1 PPG), Kaufman-Renn should break through as a full-fledged All-America selection — if he and Smith can lead Purdue to a season worthy of the Boilermakers’ preseason No. 1 ranking.
The only returner from last season’s Final Four team, Pettiford should see a sizable increase in his workload. He stepped up for the Tigers during the NCAA tournament with 15.2 points and 3.4 assists — averages higher than his regular-season numbers.
Honorable mentions
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Alex Karaban, UConn
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s
Graham Ike, Gonzaga
Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama
Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee
Tucker DeVries, Indiana
Ryan Conwell, Louisville
Richie Saunders, BYU
All-defensive team
Joseph Tugler, Houston
Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State
Miles Byrd, San Diego State
Mouhamed Dioubate, Kentucky
Maliq Brown, Duke
All-freshman team
Darryn Peterson, Kansas
AJ Dybantsa, BYU
Cameron Boozer, Duke
Nate Ament, Tennessee
Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
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Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love left the Packers’ game Saturday night against Chicago after he was hit hard in the second quarter, and was ruled out after halftime.
The Bears would go on to win the game in overtime on a 46-yard touchdown catch by DJ Moore.
Love’s injury occurred in the second quarter when he took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears defensive lineman Austin Booker on a sack. Booker was flagged for roughing the passer.
Love was down after the play and was unable to get up on his own.
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Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers is tackled by Austin Booker #94 of the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field on Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The quarterback eventually jogged off the field and went into the blue injury tent on Green Bay’s sideline. Then he walked to the visiting locker room.
Malik Willis entered for Green Bay and drove the Packers to Brandon McManus’ 22-yard field goal and a 6-0 lead.
Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears passes the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Soldier Field on Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
To make things harder for the Packers, the heaters on their sideline have been inoperable for much of the game, according to Fox Sports.
Willis gave the Packers a chance to win, completing nine of 11 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 44.
PACKERS LOSE MICAH PARSONS FOR SEASON AFTER TORN ACL INJURY
Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers is hit by Austin Booker #94 of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Dec. 20, 2025 in Chicago. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Packers appeared to have the game in hand late in the fourth quarter when they took a 16-6 lead with less than six minutes to go in the game. A quick Bears field goal drive followed by a successful onside kick recovery and a fourth-down touchdown pass by Caleb Williams tied the game.
In overtime, the Packers received the ball on the opening possession, but failed to pick up a fourth-and-short in Bears territory.
Then, Williams uncorked the 46-yard game-winning bomb to Moore on their fourth play of overtime.
With the win, the Bears cemented their position in first place in the NFC North, and have a realistic shot at the NFC’s top seed with two games left in the season.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Kylian Mbappé added his name to another line in the record books Saturday, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for the most goals by a Real Madrid player in a calendar year.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid’s final game of the year.
He marked the achievement, which came on his 27th birthday, with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s trademark “Siu” goal celebration before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
“A special day,” Mbappé said. “We won the game, which was important — that was the objective. With the record, it’s incredible in my first year doing what Cristiano did, the best player in Real Madrid’s history, a role model in world football.
“It’s an honor for me. He’s always been affectionate to me, talking to me about Madrid and how to adapt. I’m very happy now to score goals for Real Madrid.
“[The celebration] was for him. I have my own usually, but I wanted to share it with him today. He was my idol as a kid, I have a good relationship with him, and he’s my friend now.”
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in summer 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, putting him into a tie with Bayern Munich‘s Harry Kane for most goals by a player from a club in Europe’s top five leagues.
“I congratulate him, and I encourage him to start 2026 well,” Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said of Mbappé, who also has a LaLiga-leading 18 goals this season.
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute to give Madrid the lead on Saturday before Sevilla lost defender Marcão to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
The win will do little to ease the pressure on Alonso, with the team underperforming despite three consecutive wins this week.
“We know the moment we’re in,” Alonso said. “We’re demanding and self-critical to play better, we know this isn’t our level and we want to improve. … The priority was to win, but obviously some things didn’t go as we wanted.”
Madrid sit a point behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona ahead of the Catalan club’s match with Villarreal on Sunday.
Information from ESPN’s Alex Kirkland, ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.
For someone who scores so many goals, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is not usually the most enthusiastic when it comes to celebrating them.
There has been the odd exception, such as when he marks hitting the back of the net by adopting the lotus position and appearing to enter a Zen state while sitting cross-legged on the field. But for the most part, the Norway international is an understated character who is happy to let his football do the talking for him.
Erling Haaland. That is all. 🤖 pic.twitter.com/Jp0bMFAP3I
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 20, 2025
However, recently he has revived a classic goal celebration to add to his repertoire: The Robot.
He hit the celebration in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Nov. 2, and he doubled down on Saturday when he scored the opener in the 3-0 win over West Ham United.
The celebration’s most famous foray from the breakdance mat to the football pitch came in 2006, when England striker Peter Crouch performed it in a pre-FIFA World Cup friendly win over Jamaica. It became his trademark, and Prince William even once asked Crouch to hit the move when the future king visited England’s training ground.
Crouch is keen to remind everyone who the true robo-GOAT is. After that Bournemouth game, the former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur forward posted on social media: “I walked so they could run.”
Now, Haaland has picked up the mantle. Given his remorseless quest for goals is like that of The Terminator, it seems rather fitting.
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