In less than six weeks, the Division 1 men’s basketball season is set to tip off, and many native New Englanders and NEPSAC alums will experience their first taste of big-time college hoops.
At this stage of the preseason, teams have been practicing together for months, and some have even played scrimmages overseas or at home. We’re starting to get a clearer picture of what rosters and rotations will look like come November. In this era of college basketball, it can be difficult for freshmen to get on the floor. Rosters are older and more experienced. But depending on the fit, there’s a path to playing time for several of our regional Class of 2026 standouts.
Freshmen from New England have had a good run the last few years. Two years ago, Cooper Flagg and CJ Cox, among others, were major contributors. Last year, AJ Dybantsa and Ebuka Okorie were two of the best freshmen in the country and both went on to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
Who’s next in line in 2026-27? Here are 10 players from the region who could make an early impact as freshmen.
Quinn Costello, Michigan
6-10 forward
Newman/Medford, Mass.
There’s a new coaching staff at Michigan, with Mike Boynton taking over after Dusty May – who recruited Costello – leaving for the NBA. But there’s still belief that Costello, a McDonald’s All-American, will carve out a sizable role as a freshman. He actually led the Wolverines in minutes played during their August trip to Europe, where they played three exhibition games, as he averaged 11.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46 percent (11 for 24) from 3-point range, which included a 17-point outing vs. Lithuania. He’ll need to keep improving defensively, but Costello’s size and shooting ability will get him on the floor early.
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Parrish Edmond, Siena
6-7 wing
Putnam Science Academy/Norwalk, Conn.
Edmond requested his release from Siena in the spring after coach Gerry McNamara left for Syracuse, but ultimately decided to return to the Saints to play for new head coach Nevada Smith. In an interview with the Times Union, Edmond said Smith’s playing style fits him perfectly and he wants to be one of the top freshmen in the Metro Conference. As one of eight freshmen on the roster, the odds seem strong that Edmond, one of the most athletic prospects in his class, will get an early opportunity.
Alex Egbuonu, Marquette
6-7 wing
Lawrence Academy/Nashua, N.H.
Marquette coach Shaka Smart isn’t afraid to give a freshman a sizable role – evidenced by Nigel James winning the Big East’s Freshman of the Year last season – and Egbuonu could be next in line. Our No. 2-ranked player in New England’s 2026 class, the 6-foot-7 wing already has a college-ready body with his strength and athleticism. Upon committing to Marquette last fall, he said Smart viewed him making an early impact as a freshman. If his 3-point shot can stay consistent enough to go along with his versatility on the defensive end, he’ll have a chance.
Quinn Gibson, Cornell
6-5 forward
Winchendon/Cherry Hill, N.J.
Gibson made an immediate impact at Winchendon as a postgraduate last winter, averaging 21.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game to lead the Wapiti to a top-four seed in NEPSAC Class AA. That bodes well for his first season in the Ivy League. With his high-level motor, effort and rebounding ability, Gibson has the tools that should translate to the college level right away as he continues to develop other parts of his game.
Ryan Moesch, Syracuse
6-0 guard
Cushing/Chittenango, N.Y.
There may be some skeptics that are worried about Moesch’s size as he heads to the ACC level, but I’ve seen enough of Moesch at Cushing over the last two years to confidently say his offensive game will translate immediately. McNamara knows that, too, which is why he had no issue bringing him along to Syracuse from Siena. I can’t say enough about how difficult he is to defend as a high-IQ pure point guard who dominates in the pick-and-roll, always makes the right play, can shoot the 3 and plays fearlessly. He should begin the season as Syracuse’s backup point guard and I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually assumes a starting role. Just watch.
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Louis O’Keefe, Princeton
6-3 guard
Newman/Nashville, Tenn.
I’m already on the record saying that Princeton nabbing O’Keefe was one of the biggest recruiting steals of the 2026 class regionally. A captain of the national prep champion and NEPSAC Class AAA champion Newman last season, O’Keefe was arguably the most impactful player on a team that had multiple high-major players. A playmaker who rarely makes mistakes, confident shotmaker and true floor general and leader, I expect O’Keefe to be among the best freshmen in the Ivy League.
Jordan Skyers, Norfolk State
6-3 guard
Putnam Science Academy/Harlem, N.Y.
Skyers – who was No. 9 in our 2026 rankings and nationally-ranked among combo guards – is one of the highest-rated recruits Norfolk State has ever brought in, and he should be a major contributor right away for head coach Robert Jones. His athleticism and playmaking tools could make him a starter early on; Skyers had offers from multiple high-major programs in his recruiting process and I could absolutely see him as a candidate to transfer up with a strong season or two at Norfolk State.
Cheick Sylla, UMass
6-9 forward/center
Bridgton Academy/Bamako, Mali
Ten years ago, when UMass coach Frank Martin was at South Carolina and before the transfer portal era changed recruiting for freshmen, Sylla was the type of player who could have conceivably gone straight to a high-major program. Now, the big man is a coup for the Minutemen. Sylla was one of the best bigs in NEPSAC the last two years, a classic post player who plays with a mix of skill, power and physicality. There’s some competition for minutes in the UMass frontcourt, but I think Sylla has the tools to earn an important role and be an impact player right away in the Mid-American Conference.
Jaxson Terry, Boston University
6-5 guard
CATS Academy/Acton, Mass.
Injuries impacted the latter stages of Terry’s prep and grassroots career and ultimately his recruitment. But he still landed at a great Division 1 spot, initially committing to Loyola Chicago before a late pivot to Boston University. When healthy, Terry was one of the best regional prospects in the 2026 class, a lethal shooter who can score in a variety of ways in addition to being a lockdown perimeter defender. I love the fit at BU, where I think he’ll carve out an impactful role early and be among the Patriot League’s best freshmen.
Abdou Toure, Arkansas
6-5 wing
Notre Dame West Haven/West Haven, Conn.
This should come as no surprise – our No. 1 player in the Best of New England 2026 rankings, Toure is already receiving legitimate NBA buzz, projected as a lottery pick in some mock drafts. One of the most athletic players in the 2026 high school class, Toure’s explosiveness in transition, scoring ability and defensive versatility and lateral quickness should make him an easy fit in the high-flying SEC. Toure averaged 14.8 points in four games this summer with Arkansas at the Baha Mar Summer League in the Bahamas as he played significant minutes off the bench. His 3-point shooting consistently is still in development, but he has plenty of the tools necessary to be an important player this season for Hall of Fame coach John Calipari.
