The world of college basketball’s changed a lot since Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals came into play. Now, players can cash in on their personal brand while they’re still in school.
The latest NIL Top 100 Men’s College Basketball Rankings list is out, spotlighting athletes who are killing it both on the court and off. Let’s take a look at some of the top names from the 2025 rankings, their stats, and what kind of waves they’re making in the game—and the business—of college hoops.
Top Players in the 2025 NIL Rankings
Sitting at number one is JT Toppin, a sophomore power forward for Texas Tech Red Raiders. His NIL valuation? An eye-popping $2.8 million.
Toppin’s 2024-25 numbers are no joke: 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. He’s got 18,400 followers on social media, which definitely helps keep that number high.
Yaxel Lendeborg: A Senior Leader
Coming in second we’ve got Yaxel Lendeborg from Michigan Wolverines. He’s a senior power forward, valued at $2.3 million in NIL deals.
Lendeborg’s stats this season: 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. He’s got a solid 46,100 social followers, which makes him even more marketable.
Freshman Phenom: Boogie Fland
Boogie Fland, a freshman point guard for the Florida Gators, sits at number three. He’s valued at $2.1 million in NIL opportunities.
His stats: 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Oh, and he’s already got 88,000 followers keeping up with him online. Not bad for a freshman.
Rising Stars and Established Veterans
It’s not just the newcomers getting all the attention here. Donovan Dent from UCLA Bruins is a junior point guard who’s ranked fourth, with a $2 million valuation.
Dent’s putting up 20.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Talk about consistent.
Freshman Impact: Jayden Quaintance
At number five, there’s Jayden Quaintance from Kentucky Wildcats. He’s a freshman power forward with a $2 million NIL tag.
Quaintance is averaging 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks. His social following is smaller—6,200—but it’s climbing.
Braden Smith and Moustapha Thiam: Purdue’s Powerhouses
Braden Smith, junior point guard for Purdue Boilermakers, lands at number six with a $1.9 million valuation. His stats: 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. He’s got 35,600 followers watching his every move.
Right behind him is fellow Boilermaker Moustapha Thiam, a freshman center. Thiam’s at $1.7 million, with 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. He’s newer to the scene, with 933 followers, but he’s getting noticed.
Social Media Influence
Let’s be real—social media is a huge piece of the NIL puzzle. Players like Ian Jackson from St. John’s Red Storm (182,200 followers) and Boogie Fland (88,000 followers) know how to work their online presence to their advantage.
High Followers, High Value
Another one to watch: Cameron Boozer from Duke Blue Devils. He’s valued at $1.5 million, with 133,154 followers. That kind of popularity online? It’s a game-changer for NIL value.
Emerging Talent
Freshmen like Darryn Peterson (Kansas Jayhawks) and Rob Wright (BYU Cougars) are making some noise, too. Peterson’s got 26,500 followers, and Wright’s at 30,703. They’re already set up for some pretty nice NIL deals down the line.
Veterans Making a Mark
It’s not just the young guys, either. Senior players are holding their own in the rankings.
Bryce Hopkins from St. John’s Red Storm is valued at $1.6 million, and Oscar Cluff from Purdue Boilermakers is at $1.7 million. Experience and steady performance still matter a lot.
Veteran Leaders
Hopkins is averaging 17.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, with 34,100 followers. Cluff’s right there with 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, and 992 followers. They’re showing you can make an impact both on the court and online.
Conclusion
The NIL Top 100 Men’s College Basketball Rankings really shine a light on how athletic skill and marketability are starting to overlap more than ever. Players like JT Toppin, Yaxel Lendeborg, Boogie Fland, and Donovan Dent aren’t just making waves on the court—they’re starting to shape their own brands off it, too.
With NIL deals now a big part of the college sports world, these rankings kind of serve as a pulse check for who’s figuring out that tricky balance between playing well and building a name for themselves.
Curious to dive deeper into the full list or see more about each player? Check out the full article on SportsGrid.
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