NCAAB · 23 hours ago

Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return for 2026

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! Who is the Top 5th Year Player You'd Like to See Return?
Step into the Arena: Debate the Top 5th-Year Stars

We’ve officially audited and ranked the top 20 fifth-year college basketball players who could return, but now it's your turn to join the debate!

The SEC Game-Changers: Would you take Missouri's Mark Mitchell Jr. or Auburn's Keyshawn Hall as your primary frontcourt cornerstone for next season?

Floor General Status: Is UCLA's Donovan Dent (7.6 APG) the most valuable playmaker on this entire big board?

The Portal Wildcard: Where does Ole Miss star AJ Storr land if he takes full advantage of his fifth-year return window?

Sound off in the comments with your hot takes and player rankings!
Top 5th Year Eligible College Basketball Players
Power Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return

In the modern landscape of college basketball, veteran continuity is the ultimate cheat code. Between extra eligibility windows, transfer portal chaos, and legal rulings opening up fresh return options, having battle-tested 22- and 23-year-olds on the floor is often the difference between making a deep run in March or packing bags after the opening weekend. Having experienced leaders who know how to close out high-stakes road games gives coaches a massive advantage entering the 2026-27 season.

As program architects across the country finalize roster math, several premier stars are evaluating whether to turn professional or return for a fifth-year victory lap.

We audited player production, game-tilting impact, and lineup value to expand our big board and rank the top 20 fifth-year college basketball players who could transform their team's ceiling by returning.
20. Oziyah Sellers
Guard | St. John’s Red Storm

Sellers brings microwave scoring off the wire for Rick Pitino's Red Storm, providing instantaneous energy and perimeter shooting whenever his number is called. Averaging double figures in Queens, Sellers' quick trigger and defensive intensity make him an ideal rotation weapon. Running it back for a fifth year gives St. John's a battle-tested guard with Big East grit.

2025-26 Stats: 10.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 42.9% FG
19. Jordan Pope
Guard | Texas Longhorns

Pope brings smooth, effortless perimeter scoring to Austin, serving as a sniper who can catch fire from beyond the arc. Whether operating as a primary handler or spacing the floor off the ball, Pope’s shot-making ability opens up wide lanes for the entire Longhorns offense. A final fifth-year tour gives Texas an elite perimeter threat with deep big-game experience.

2025-26 Stats: 13.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 39.9% FG
18. Takai Simpkins
Guard | Oregon Ducks

Simpkins brought high-octane perimeter energy to Eugene, averaging 12.5 points per game in his Big Ten debut campaign. His ability to break down tight defenses off the bounce and get to the free-throw line gives Oregon a proven guard capable of controlling the tempo in crunch time.

2025-26 Stats: 12.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 42.6% FG
17. Chris Bell
Forward | California Golden Bears

Bell brings high-volume floor spacing to Cal, unleashing an effortless perimeter jumper that forces opposing power forwards out to the three-point line. Averaging 14.2 points per match, his ability to heat up in a hurry changes team offensive ceilings in an instant. Retaining Bell’s perimeter shooting for a fifth year keeps Berkeley's offense spacing crisp.

2025-26 Stats: 14.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.5 SPG, 43.0% FG
16. Desmond Claude
Guard | Washington Huskies

Claude brings classic big-guard physicality to the Huskies, using his frame to overpower smaller defenders on his way to the rack. Averaging 13.3 points in Seattle, Claude excels in mid-range pull-ups and finishing through contact in transition. Another year of seasoning gives Washington an established, physical guard to build around in the Big Ten.

2025-26 Stats: 13.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 42.6% FG
15. Chisom Okpara
Forward | Stanford Cardinal

Okpara brought physical forward play to Stanford's rotation, posting 13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. Capable of bullying smaller defenders inside or driving past traditional bigs, his tough two-way skill set gives the Cardinal a battle-tested frontline anchor if he runs it back for one more season.

2025-26 Stats: 13.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 39.3% FG
14. Barry Dunning Jr.
Guard | Pitt Panthers

Dunning Jr. brings relentless two-way energy to Pitt's backcourt, crashing the glass from the guard spot while chipping in 12.5 points per game. His high motor and physical rebounding (5.9 RPG) make him an invaluable asset in dirty-work situations. Having Dunning back in Oakland for a fifth year preserves Pitt's tough defensive identity.

2025-26 Stats: 12.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 46.6% FG
13. Riley Kugel
Guard | UCF Knights

Kugel refound his groove at UCF, asserting himself as an explosive perimeter scorer with lethal three-point range. Pouring in 14.4 points per night while knocking down 38.7% of his attempts from deep, his athletic downhill drives and perimeter versatility make him a game-changing target for a fifth collegiate campaign.

2025-26 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 41.5% FG
12. Langston Reynolds
Guard | Minnesota Golden Gophers

Reynolds is a stat-sheet-stuffing backcourt engine for the Golden Gophers, putting up 11.6 points, 4.3 boards, and 4.5 assists per contest. His all-around impact and pass-first mentality elevate everyone around him, making Minnesota a much tougher out when he’s on the floor. Returning for a fifth year in Minneapolis gives the Gophers a proven lead guard.

2025-26 Stats: 11.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 53.8% FG
11. Cameron Corhen
Center | Pitt Panthers

Corhen serves as a rock-solid interior presence for the Panthers, dropping 13.6 points and grabbing 6.8 rebounds with high-efficiency post footwork. He provides a reliable rim-protecting anchor who can finish through contact around the cup and control defensive possessions. A fifth year of Corhen down low gives Pitt one of the most dependable frontcourt anchors in the ACC.

2025-26 Stats: 13.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 53.3%FG
10. Anthony Johnson
Guard | Arizona State Sun Devils

Forming a dynamic tandem in Tempe, Johnson gives Arizona State a lethal scoring punch alongside Moe Odom. Johnson thrives at creating his own shot off the bounce and punishing defenders for going under screens. Retaining his veteran perimeter scoring for a fifth year gives ASU one of the most explosive guard duos out West.

2025-26 Stats: 13.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 45.4% FG
9. Malique Ewin
Forward | Oregon Ducks

Ewin provided muscle and high-efficiency low-post scoring for the Razorbacks, connecting on 59.0% of his field goals inside the paint. Averaging 9.8 points, 5.7 boards, and over a block per game, Ewin brings the exact rim protection and interior strength that every high-major contender craves in a fifth-year big man.

2025-26 Stats: 9.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 59.0% FG
8. Duke Brennan
Forward | Villanova Wildcats

Brennan was an absolute double-double machine for Villanova down low, averaging a dominant 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. His glass-cleaning tenacity and high-efficiency finishing inside the paint (65.8% FG) make him one of the premier traditional big men available for a fifth-year tour.

2025-26 Stats: 12.4 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 65.8% FG
7. Jason Edwards
Guard | Providence Friars

Edwards is a pure, unadulterated bucket-getter who plays with zero fear when the clock is ticking down. The Providence guard poured in 16.5 points per night, using a tight handle and deep shooting range to unlock opposing defenses. If Edwards decides to run it back in Rhode Island, Big East perimeter defenders are in for another long season trying to contain his scoring punch.

2025-26 Stats: 16.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 43.2% FG
6. Maurice Odom
Guard | Arizona State Sun Devils

Odom was an absolute revelation in the desert, orchestrating the offense while dropping 16.4 points and 5.7 assists per game. His shiftiness out of pick-and-roll sets makes him a nightmare to trap, and his ability to generate easy looks for shooters keeps defenses perpetually on their heels. Arizona State keeping Odom for a fifth year instantly solidifies their backcourt engine.

2025-26 Stats: 16.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 40.5% FG
5. Darrion Williams
Forward | NC State Wolfpack

Williams brings high-IQ versatility and non-stop hustle to the floor, serving as the ultimate glue guy who fills up every column of the stat sheet. For NC State, his ability to defend multiple positions, stretch the defense, and pull down high-traffic rebounds gives the Wolfpack a reliable two-way wing. A return for his fifth year anchors State's forward rotation with battle-tested poise.

2025-26 Stats: 14.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 41.4% FG
4. AJ Storr
Guard | Ole Miss Rebels

Storr remains one of the premier athletic microwave scorers in college basketball, capable of going on personal 10-0 runs in the blink of an eye. After leading Ole Miss with 15.5 points per game and earning All-SEC Tournament honors, his decision to explore a fifth collegiate season makes him a game-changing perimeter asset. When Storr gets downhill in transition, highlight-reel finishes are guaranteed.

2025-26 Stats: 15.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 44.8% FG
3. Donovan Dent
Guard | UCLA Bruins

Dent operates as a textbook point guard maestro who completely dictates the tempo of the game. Dishing out a staggering 7.6 assists per contest at UCLA while posting point-assist double-doubles and a triple-double, Dent combines a lightning-quick first step with elite floor vision and press-breaking composure. Bringing his floor generalship back for a final lap gives the Bruins one of the best playmakers in the country.

2025-26 Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 40.8% FG
2. Keyshawn Hall
Forward | Auburn Tigers

Hall's rare combination of bully-ball strength and perimeter touch makes him one of the most unique frontcourt weapons in the entire nation. Dumping 16.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest into Auburn's stat sheet, Hall creates constant mismatch chaos against traditional big men while crashing the glass with relentless energy. Securing Hall for a fifth season gives Steven Pearl an all-conference anchor in the paint.

2025-26 Stats: 19.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 45.1% FG
1. Mark Mitchell Jr.
Forward | Missouri Tigers

Mitchell blossomed into a dominant physical force in Columbia, evolving into an unstoppable mismatch nightmare inside the arc. The former blue-chip recruit averaged a team-leading 18.3 points alongside 5.2 rebounds per game, using his frame to bully defenders, draw fouls at an elite rate, and finish through contact. If Mitchell opts to lock in his fifth collegiate campaign, Dennis Gates and the Tigers instantly retain an All-SEC cornerstone capable of anchoring a deep postseason run.

2025-26 Stats: 18.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 51.8% FG
You Tell Us! Who is the Top 5th Year Player You'd Like to See Return?
Step into the Arena: Debate the Top 5th-Year Stars

We’ve officially audited and ranked the top 20 fifth-year college basketball players who could return, but now it's your turn to join the debate!

The SEC Game-Changers: Would you take Missouri's Mark Mitchell Jr. or Auburn's Keyshawn Hall as your primary frontcourt cornerstone for next season?

Floor General Status: Is UCLA's Donovan Dent (7.6 APG) the most valuable playmaker on this entire big board?

The Portal Wildcard: Where does Ole Miss star AJ Storr land if he takes full advantage of his fifth-year return window?

Sound off in the comments with your hot takes and player rankings!
Top 5th Year Eligible College Basketball Players
Power Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return

In the modern landscape of college basketball, veteran continuity is the ultimate cheat code. Between extra eligibility windows, transfer portal chaos, and legal rulings opening up fresh return options, having battle-tested 22- and 23-year-olds on the floor is often the difference between making a deep run in March or packing bags after the opening weekend. Having experienced leaders who know how to close out high-stakes road games gives coaches a massive advantage entering the 2026-27 season.

As program architects across the country finalize roster math, several premier stars are evaluating whether to turn professional or return for a fifth-year victory lap.

We audited player production, game-tilting impact, and lineup value to expand our big board and rank the top 20 fifth-year college basketball players who could transform their team's ceiling by returning.

Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return for 2026

Step into the Arena: Debate the Top 5th-Year Stars

Power Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return

Guard | St. John’s Red Storm

Guard | Texas Longhorns

Guard | Oregon Ducks

Forward | California Golden Bears

Guard | Washington Huskies

Forward | Stanford Cardinal

Guard | Pitt Panthers

Guard | UCF Knights

Guard | Minnesota Golden Gophers

Center | Pitt Panthers

Guard | Arizona State Sun Devils

Forward | Oregon Ducks

Forward | Villanova Wildcats

Guard | Providence Friars

Guard | Arizona State Sun Devils

Forward | NC State Wolfpack

Guard | Ole Miss Rebels

Guard | UCLA Bruins

Forward | Auburn Tigers

Forward | Missouri Tigers

Step into the Arena: Debate the Top 5th-Year Stars

Power Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return

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