College basketball rankings hit by eligibility chaos

The 2026-27 college basketball season opens with a roster of uncertainty. ESPN has released its preseason Top 100, a list that includes players whose seasons may be halted by court orders. The ranking blends top freshmen, returning stars, and athletes currently fighting for eligibility.

The NCAA recently changed its rules to allow five years of eligibility within five years. However, a legal dispute has emerged over players who graduated high school in 2022. These athletes are excluded under the new rules but are suing for a fifth year. ESPN’s writers decided to treat these players as eligible for the ranking, acknowledging that the legal picture remains unsettled.

The conflict is most visible in Ohio. The state governor issued an executive order granting all class of 2022 athletes in the state a fifth year. The NCAA sued the governor over this order. MJ Collins Jr., a guard at Cincinnati, is caught in the middle. He averaged 17.5 points at Utah State and is currently ranked 85th.

Other players in the lower half of the list also depend on these rulings. Denzel Aberdeen, a guard at Florida, is ranked 95th. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.4 assists at Kentucky last season. If he wins a fifth year, he would likely start for the team ESPN ranks as the number one preseason favorite.

The class of 2026 freshmen fills the bottom of the list. Miles Sadler of West Virginia, a point guard, is ranked 100th. He scored 29 points and had seven assists for the World team at the Nike Hoop Summit in April. Cameron Williams of Duke, a forward, is ranked 97th. ESPN notes he may not play a major role immediately.

Transfers and returners occupy the middle of the list. Kayden Mingo moved from Penn State to Baylor to play with his brother, Dylan Mingo. Zoom Diallo of Kentucky, who averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists, drew attention at SEC media day by calling himself a lambatarian. Andrej Stojakovic of Illinois, who helped his team reach the Final Four, shot 58% inside the arc.

Higher on the list, Kentucky center Malachi Moreno, a potential 2027 first-round pick, lost more than 10 pounds during summer NBA workouts. He is ranked 75th. Na’jai Hines of UConn, ranked 72nd, was second nationally in block rate last season. Coach Dan Hurley plans to rely on Hines as the team’s frontcourt anchor.