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
It’s the final day of the month, and we have great matches across Europe for you to enjoy!
We kick things off in the Premier League, as the race for the top four becomes tighter. Liverpool needing a win against relegation battlers West Ham United to stay in touch in the fight for a spot in the Champions League next season. Later, we have Leeds United looking to spoil Manchester City‘s title hopes as they host Pep Guardiola’s team at Elland Road.
Elsewhere, in LaLiga, Barcelona look to continue to remain top of the league as they host Levante, and, in the Bundesliga, it’s Der Klassiker as Borussia Dortmund hope to halt Bayern Munich‘s potential title hopes.
Enjoy all the updates from Saturday’s matches.
Inter Miami will visit the White House in March to mark the club’s 2025 MLS Cup triumph, with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi expected to attend, the Miami Herald reported Friday.
The newspaper cited an unnamed Inter Miami source saying “everyone” on the team will attend the ceremony with US President Donald Trump, two days before Inter plays DC United in the US capital on March 7.
Messi, 38, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former president Joe Biden in January 2025, the highest civilian honour in the United States, but did not attend the ceremony at the White House.
Trump’s affinity for soccer has grown in recent months, with multiple meetings with Fifa president Gianni Infantino and a high-profile visit by Cristiano Ronaldo to the White House.
Trump took part in the trophy presentation at the Club World Cup in the United States last year and was on stage at the draw for the 2026 World Cup, where Infantino took the opportunity to award the president the first Fifa peace prize.
Inter Miami wrapped up a slate of international friendlies on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico.
They fell to Los Angeles FC in their MLS season-opener last weekend and face Orlando City on Sunday.
Local rivals Manchester City and Manchester United are set for a battle to sign Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson this summer, while Liverpool‘s Curtis Jones is a target for Serie A leader Inter Milan. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Manchester City and Manchester United are vying to sign Elliot Anderson this summer, the Daily Mirror reports. According to the outlet, the Nottingham Forest midfielder is a top target for both clubs after establishing himself as a key player in the England national team. Anderson, 23, is valued at around the £75 million mark, although a bidding war could see that rise. Should Forest be relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season, it’s reported that the club will have “no choice” but to let Anderson leave.
– Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones could be back on Inter Milan’s radar, according to Corriere dello Sport. Both Inter and AC Milan clubs were linked with moves for the England international in January, although concrete offers didn’t materialise. Jones, 25, will enter the final year of his Liverpool contract in June, meaning he could be signed for a cut-price fee. The Italian club are also interested in taking Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni on loan, should he become available in the summer.
– Barcelona remain optimistic that they can secure a permanent agreement for winger Marcus Rashford in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 28-year-old is on loan at from Manchester United, but a clause in the loan agreement means the Spanish club can sign him permanently for a fixed fee. While personal terms are “almost done” on the player’s side, United’s insistence that the full €30 million fee be paid could still complicate matters. Rashford has played 21 times in La Liga this season for the club, scoring four goals and grabbing seven assists.
– Aston Villa are one of several Premier League sides keen on signing Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, so says TEAMtalk. The 23-year-old has largely played second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma this season, having made only 11 appearances in all competitions to date. Newcastle United are also keeping tabs on Trafford after attempting to sign him in January.
– Tino Livramento could leave Newcastle United at the end of the season with Manchester City among his suitors, the Daily Telegraph has revealed. Livramento is currently unwilling to extend his contract at St James’ Park, with a view now emerging that he’d be willing to move if a “top club” comes in for him. The Telegraph suggests that even if Livramento signs a new contract at Newcastle, it will almost certainly include a release clause. The England international’s current deal is set to expire in July 2028.
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OTHER RUMORS
– Juventus will need to qualify for next season’s Champions League competition if they wish to pursue a deal for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The Italian club are “keen admirers” of Alisson, but they currently face an uphill battle to be able to finance a move for him. (Football Insider)
– Norwich City defender Kellen Fisher is “firmly on the radar” of several Premier League clubs, including Everton. Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United have also watched him in recent weeks. (TEAMtalk)
– Chelsea are not entertaining the idea of letting Cole Palmer leave the club in the summer in order to generate transfer revenue. (Standard)
– Bayern Munich are big admirers of Tottenham youngster Luka Vuskovic, who is on loan at Hamburg this season. (Christian Falk)
– Arsenal have been handed a boost in the race to sign Julián Alvarez, as Barcelona chief Deco has confirmed he has not held talks with the Argentine over a summer move. (Daily Mirror)
– Arsenal scouts have been to watch Cagliari right-back Marco Palestra in recent matches. (Nicolo Schira)
– Emil Krafth is ready to leave Newcastle United this summer as a free agent. (Nicolo Schira)
– Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush is keen on a move to Barcelona in the future. (Ekrem Konur)
– Jesse Lingard‘s move to Corinthians is in the “final stages”, with all paperwork now completed. (Ekrem Konur)
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