Overview
- The AP first team features Purdue’s Braden Smith, Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa and Florida’s Alex Condon.
- Smith received all 57 votes from the media panel, as Purdue enters with its first-ever AP preseason No. 1 ranking.
- Toppin earned 52 votes after a breakout season at Texas Tech that included Big 12 player of the year honors and an Elite Eight run; the Red Raiders open at No. 10.
- Roster moves shaped the list: Lendeborg transferred to Michigan after testing the NBA draft, and Condon returned to Florida after initially declaring for the draft, with the schools ranked No. 7 and No. 3, respectively.
- Dybantsa is BYU’s first preseason All-American since Jimmer Fredette and is widely projected as a top 2026 NBA draft pick, with the season set to tip Nov. 3.