College basketball has always been a part of America’s sports fabric, and even the White House has its favorites! As the new season approaches, discussions over top teams and breakout players are heating up again. From legends like Michael Jordan and Carmelo Anthony, who proved college hoops as the perfect NBA stepping stone, to rising stars like Cooper Flagg, ready to continue that path, all eyes now turn to who can take the game forward this year.

After shaping the NBA landscape for much of the past decade, international talent is now ready to make its mark on college basketball. From skilled European forwards to explosive guards from Africa and Australia, the global game is thriving at every level. This season promises a new wave of international standouts ready to impact March Madness before chasing NBA dreams. With that in mind, here’s a look at the Top 10 international stars to watch as the 2025–26 college basketball season tips off.

Alex Condon

Coming from the land down under, Alex Condon was one of the, if not the best, players on the defending champions’ squad. He led the Florida Gators to a national title while averaging 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game as a sophomore. What makes him a standout is the spike in game time from the 2023-24 season.

In the 2023-24 season, Condon got only 1 game to start with, playing 36, but he always delivered on the promise. Seeing potential in him, the Gators gave him 36 games to start in his 37 appearances, where he was shooting 49% from the field and 32.8% from the 3-point line.

“I think (that’s) the biggest difference this year; making those open threes, playing off more on the dribble (and) being more versatile as a player too,” Condon said before stressing, “I feel like that’s my game now.” While his numbers may not be big, they are certain to have a big jump this year. After many of their championship squad members moved on to the NBA, Alex Condon will have a bigger responsibility and offensive freedom to showcase his full skills.

Tomislav Ivisic

Standing at 7-foot-1, Tomislav Ivisic has quickly become one of the most promising big men in college basketball. Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and representing Croatia internationally, he brings a strong mix of size, touch, and basketball IQ. Playing for the Illinois Fighting Illini, Ivisic has shown he can score inside, stretch the floor, and protect the rim, making him one of the top international prospects to watch this season.

Last season, Ivisic averaged 13 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while leading Illinois’ frontcourt. His impact was clear whenever he missed time, as the Illini went 1-4 without him. The team’s offense flowed best when it ran through Ivisic, who proved himself as both a reliable post scorer and an underrated playmaker capable of creating opportunities for teammates.

Heading into the 2025–26 season, Ivisic’s development will be crucial for Illinois’ success. Coach Brad Underwood views him as a centerpiece who can control the pace on both ends of the floor. With improved consistency and confidence, Ivisic has the tools to become one of the nation’s top bigs and a strong 2026 NBA Draft candidate, capable of leading Illinois deep into postseason contention.

Thijs De Ridder

At 22, Thijs De Ridder enters college basketball as one of the oldest true freshmen, taking advantage of the NCAA’s relaxed eligibility rules. With three years of professional experience in Spain’s Liga ACB, he brings maturity and polish to the Virginia Cavaliers. CBS Sports analyst Isaac Trotter recently highlighted De Ridder as a potential dark horse among the nation’s top stretch fours.

His ability to space the floor, rebound effectively, and defend across positions adds significant depth to Virginia’s frontcourt. With his European experience and basketball IQ, De Ridder could quickly emerge as a key contributor and one of the most intriguing international additions in college basketball this season.

Xaivian Lee

Another one from the Florida Gators’ ranks, Xaivian Lee, is a Canadian point guard for the defending champions. After having record-breaking performances at Princeton, he transferred to the Florida Gators.

At Princeton, he played over 90 games and became the first player in the program’s history to record a triple-double. Now a part of the defending champions, he will be tasked with being a floor general and playmaker for the Gators.

Dame Sarr

Dame Sarr, with a monster 7-foot wingspan, is a five-star recruit in his recruitment class. Even though the Italian-Senegalese player is a freshman for the Duke Blue Devils, he already has experience in the professional scene. He has played for FC Barcelona in the EuroLeague.

Debuting with Barcelona at 16 years old, he became the second-youngest player in the team’s history. Now, with the college basketball system, the Blue Devils will expect him to use his professional experience and propel the team.

Oscar Cluff

Hailing from Australia, Oscar Cluff joins the Purdue Boilermakers for his senior year after stints at South Dakota State and Washington State. In his junior season at South Dakota State, he averaged 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while recording 21 double-doubles in 30 outings. His strong inside presence and balanced two-way game make him a valuable addition to a roster already loaded with experience and depth.

Purdue enters the season ranked No. 1 in the nation and is considered one of the favorites to win the national championship. With the spotlight firmly on the Boilermakers, Cluff’s ability to dominate the paint and complement Purdue’s star-studded lineup will be crucial. His physicality, rebounding, and maturity bring a veteran edge that could help push Purdue past previous tournament heartbreaks and toward a long-awaited title run.

Motiejus Krivas

Standing at 7 feet 2 inches, the Lithuanian center Motiejus Krivas is expected to play a big role for the Arizona Wildcats this year. As a freshman in 2023-24, he was a backup center and averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He started his sophomore year well, but unfortunately suffered a foot injury that ended his season prematurely. Now, completely fit, he is expected to take over as the starting center for the Wildcats and build on his 14 points and 17 rebounds preseason performance.

Andrej Kostic

Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Andrej Kostic is a wing from Belgrade who set the world on fire during the FIBA U19 World Cup. Although he was born in Belgrade, he chose to represent Serbia internationally. He averaged 16 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He is one of the few freshmen in the 2025-26 season who is equally good finishing inside as he is at catch-and-shoot jumpers. Despite being a freshman, Kansas State will be counting on him to provide a big scoring boost anytime he is on the floor.

Zvonimir Ivisic

The Ivisic brothers share more than just their looks, as their playing styles also mirror each other closely. Zvonimir began his college career at Kentucky, but NCAA eligibility issues limited him to 15 games, where he averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. Even in that short span, he showed promise with his soft shooting touch and ability to impact both ends of the floor.

After transferring to Arkansas for the 2024-25 season, Zvonimir found his rhythm and played in 35 games, averaging 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. His improvement was clear as he became a steady presence inside. Now teaming up with his brother Tomislav at Illinois, he will look to raise his numbers again and help form one of the most skilled and versatile frontcourts in college basketball.

Omer Mayer

Another standout from the No. 1-ranked team in the country, Omer Mayer, is set to make waves at Purdue despite being a freshman. The Israeli guard has already built an impressive resume, breaking Maccabi Tel Aviv’s record as the youngest scorer in club history at just 17 years old. His early professional experience gives him a level of poise and confidence rarely seen in first-year college players.

Mayer also showcased his talent on the international stage at the 2024 FIBA U18 EuroBasket, where he averaged 18.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. His ability to create plays, score efficiently, and defend multiple positions makes him a versatile threat for the Boilermakers. While a starting role might not come immediately, his energy and skill set could make him one of the most impactful freshmen off the bench.

With the season just around the corner, the list of international players to watch is full of promise, and these are the names expected to shape college basketball’s global influence this year. Whether it’s Mayer’s flair, Ivisic’s dominance, or De Ridder’s versatility, each brings a unique flavor to the game. Do you have a favorite among this season’s rising international stars?