This year’s freshmen class in college basketball is nothing short of astonishing. Each game showcases a player breaking records and achieving personal bests. Just last month, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff made headlines with the highest-scoring game recorded by a first-year player this season.
Recently, Washington’s standout big man Hannes Steinbach, a likely top draft pick for 2026 NBA Draft, moved into contention to break a long-standing record. With his 18th double-double against Wisconsin, he tied Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger for the most double-doubles by a Big Ten freshman this century.
“He exhibited a different level of intensity,” Washington coach Danny Sprinkle noted following the victory over Rutgers. “From the outset, you could see he was playing with a drive that made him exceptionally challenging to defend against. His tenacity on the boards is formidable.”
Steinbach’s impressive 16 rebounds against Rutgers came shortly after he only managed three rebounds against Maryland, his lowest of the season. Currently, he averages 11.1 rebounds per game, positioning him as the fourth-best in all Division I players.
It’s time to dive into our rankings and reveal our CBS Sports/USBWA Freshman of the Week for the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Freshman of the Week: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
Welcome back to the Frosh Watch, our weekly feature highlighting the ten most remarkable freshmen in college basketball. For the 11th consecutive season, CBS Sports collaborates with the United States Basketball Writers Association and its Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award to present this weekly feature every Tuesday. The Freshman of the Week honors run from Tuesday to Monday.
Steinbach, a former four-star recruit in the 2025 recruiting cycle by 247Sports, has established himself as one of the premier rebounders this season. With 18 double-doubles to his name so far, he ties for second amongst all Division I players. During the past week, he recorded impressive performances with 24 points and 16 rebounds against Rutgers, followed by 22 points and 11 rebounds against Wisconsin.
With just two games remaining before the regular season concludes, Steinbach has a prime opportunity to set a new record against USC on Wednesday, breaking Sullinger’s record.
Previous Freshman of the Week winners
- Nov. 11: Koa Peat, Arizona
- Nov. 18: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
- Nov. 25: Cameron Boozer, Duke
- Dec. 2: Cameron Boozer, Duke
- Dec. 9: Hannes Steinbach, Washington
- Dec. 16: AJ Dybantsa, BYU
- Dec. 23: Shelton Henderson, Miami
- Dec. 30: Ebuka Okorie, Stanford
- Jan. 6: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
- Jan. 13: Braylon Mullins, UConn
- Jan. 20: Cameron Boozer, Duke
- Jan. 27: Keaton Wagler, Illinois
- Feb. 3: Bryson Tiller, Kansas
- Feb. 10: Alijah Arenas, USC
- Feb. 17: Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
- Feb. 24: Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Frosh Watch: Ranking top 10 freshmen
1. Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
Stats: 22.5 PPG | 10.0 RPG | 4.0 APG
Boozer continues to deliver, regardless of the challenges he faces. Even as NC State pressed a zone defense against Duke, he adapted seamlessly. Boozer can score, rebound, and pass at an elite level. Even when faced with defensive obstacles, he finished with 26 points and nine rebounds. Last week: 1
2. AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU
Stats: 24.9 PPG | 6.8 RPG | 3.7 APG
Dybantsa consistently impresses, even though his team has faced struggles lately. He scored 20 points despite a setback against West Virginia and followed that with a stellar 29-point outing against UCF. With star teammate Richie Saunders sidelined due to injury, Dybantsa stepped up his offensive contributions significantly. Last week: 2
3. Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas
Stats: 19.7 PPG | 3.8 RPG | 1.5 APG
Peterson’s notable talent remains clear every time he’s on the floor. His performance against Arizona showcased his shot-making ability, keeping Kansas competitive for a significant period. Although he had struggled with assists recently, he contributed three assists during the Arizona game, marking a positive step forward. Last week: 3
4. Darius Acuff Jr. | G | Arkansas
Stats: 22.0 PPG | 3.0 RPG | 6.2 APG
Acuff’s run of scoring at least 20 points came to a close against Texas A&M, yet he rallied in the second half to finish with 22 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. His impressive stats have solidified his case for SEC Player of the Year. Last week: 4
5. Caleb Wilson | F | North Carolina
Stats: 19.8 PPG | 9.4 RPG | 2.7 APG
Despite missing five games and being sidelined for the upcoming match against Clemson due to a hand fracture from his game against Miami, Wilson has still delivered stellar performances that put him in the conversation as a top-five draft pick this summer. His contributions of 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game have been crucial for the Tar Heels. UNC’s record of 4-1 without him speaks to his impact. Last week: 5
6. Keaton Wagler | G | Illinois
Stats: 18.3 PPG | 5.0 RPG | 4.3 APG
Wagler recorded a solid game, tallying 23 points, four rebounds, and three assists in a loss to Michigan last week. His current streak of at least 10 points in 21 games has been impressive, showcasing his offensive consistency. Last week: 6
7. Kingston Flemings | G | Houston
Stats: 16.4 PPG | 3.9 RPG | 5.2 APG
Flemings showcased his versatility in Houston’s win over Colorado with 11 points and eight assists, highlighting his ability to create opportunities for his teammates. His speed allows him to navigate through defenses effectively. Last week: 7
8. Brayden Burries | G | Arizona
Stats: 15.2 PPG | 4.6 RPG | 2.6 APG
Burries stepped up in Arizona’s significant victory over Kansas, finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. He continued his strong performance, contributing 11 points against No. 6 Iowa State. This effort secured the Big 12 regular-season championship for Arizona. Last week: 9
9. Mikel Brown Jr. | G | Louisville
Stats: 18.2 PPG | 3.3 RPG | 4.7 APG
Brown’s recent performance was less than stellar, coming off a string of hot shows. He managed only five points in a loss to Clemson, marking his lowest for the season following five games of scoring at least 19 points. Last week: 8
10. Ebuka Okorie | G | Stanford
Stats: 22.7 PPG | 3.7 RPG | 3.5 APG
Okorie is on track to finish the season as the ACC’s leading scorer with an impressive average of 22.7 points per game, placing him among the top five scorers in all Division I players. His talent is undeniable. Last week: 10
