Big Ten’s top 40 players for the 2025-26 season: 20-16

UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau reacts to a play.

With the official start of practice in September, UM Hoops and Inside the Hall have partnered to bring you our annual preseason breakdown of the top players in the Big Ten for the 13th straight season.

The series is broken into seven parts and we continue with our fourth installment of players 20-16 for the 2025-26 season:

Previously: 40-31, 30-26, 25-21

20. Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois (6-foot-7, wing, junior)

Why he could outperform this ranking: Stojakovic averaged 17.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in the ACC last year and Illinois needs a go-to scorer to replace the offensive production of Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley.

Brad Underwood knows how to draw up an offense that gives his best players opportunities where they are most comfortable, and Stojakovic should provide him with a multitude of options. He can play with or without the ball with impressive versatility. He’s spot-up and ball screen threat, but he also scored out of isolations, post-ups and off-ball screens as a sophomore – a combo that you don’t see every day.

He should bring plug-and-play production to an Illinois lineup that needs a wing scorer.

Why he could underperform this ranking: The box score production at California was impressive, but the team went 14-19 and Stojakovic’s offensive rating plummeted to 96.4 in league games. He shot only 44 percent on twos and 24 percent on threes in ACC games. Considering the ACC was closer to a mid-major league (plus Duke), those numbers are somewhat ominous as he makes the move into the Big Ten.

If he struggles to emerge as Illinois’ go-to guy, those in-conference efficiency signs will be the warning sign.

19. Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan (6-foot-9, big, sophomore)

Why he could outperform this ranking: Johnson averaged seven points and 6.7 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game as a freshman for Illinois. His game is simple, but productive. He’s a high-motor big man who is relentless on the glass. Johnson shot 64.2 percent on twos – almost entirely in the paint – and posted an offensive rebounding rate of 17.2 percent, which was fourth best in Division I among players who logged at least 35 percent of minutes. As a sophomore, he’s making the in-conference transfer to Michigan.

Johnson’s production as a freshman, combined with his recruiting pedigree, makes him a natural fit to make a sophomore leap. He helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Cup this summer, averaging 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, including a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double in the gold medal game.

Why he could underperform this ranking: Michigan’s frontcourt is crowded and Johnson hasn’t proven that he can expand his game beyond his freshman year role. He brings a high floor with his rebounding and finishing in the paint, but he’ll need to prove that he has the skill to play alongside Aday Mara to maximize his minutes and opportunities.

Johnson hasn’t shown a jumper at this stage in his career and shot just 61.8 percent at the free-throw line as a freshman. There are high expectations for him as a sophomore, but he’s going to have to add some diversity to his offensive game to reach the next level.

18. Desmond Claude, Washington (6-foot-6, guard, senior)

Why he could outperform this ranking: Claude is now at his third school in three seasons and made the move from USC to Washington for his final season of eligibility. The Connecticut native began his career at Xavier.

A highly-productive player in each of the last two seasons, Claude had the second-highest usage rate in the Big Ten last winter. He averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per game while ranking in the top 10 of the conference in assist rate and free throw rate (FTA/FGA).

He has terrific size for a lead guard, finishes well at the rim and should have plenty of weapons around him on a new-look Washington roster to continue to excel as a playmaker.

Why he could underperform this ranking: The 3-point shot has never been a strength for Claude and turnovers have also been a concern throughout his career.

He’s just a career 27.1 percent 3-point shooter over three seasons (229 attempts) and committed 3.5 turnovers per game last season for the Trojans. The lack of shooting makes it tough for him to play without the ball in his hands. If either number gets worse, he will take a step backward in his final season.

17. Wesley Yates III, Washington (6-foot-4, guard, sophomore)

Why he could outperform this ranking: It was a loaded season for freshmen in the Big Ten last season and that kept Yates from earning All-Big Ten freshman team honors. The Texas native was on Washington’s roster during the 2023-24 season but was redshirted due to an injury.

He was certainly deserving of that accolade as he averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.5 minutes per game. Like Claude, Yates made the move from USC to Washington and will be one of the top returning guards in the league.

Yates was a terrific 3-point shooter last season – 43.9 percent – and is wired to score from anywhere on the floor. He’s terrific in catch-and-shoot situations, has a strong frame and finishes through contact.

Why he could underperform this ranking: Yates doesn’t do much in terms of creating for others and his shot can be streaky at times.

In a Washington backcourt that is crowded on paper with Claude, Quimari Peterson and Zoom Diallo, Yates will need to maintain his efficiency and also grow into a better defender to take the next step in his development.

16. Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA (6-foot-9, big, senior)

Why he could outperform this ranking: Bilodeau is one of the most productive, skilled bigs in the conference and is coming off of an excellent junior season.

He shot 53 percent on twos and 40 percent on threes in his first season at UCLA, playing most effectively as a small-ball five for the Bruins. He excels as a post-up scorer, but he also can play pick and roll or pick and pop or even space the floor with his jumper.

Why he could underperform this ranking: Bilodeau’s upside is somewhat limited by the fact that he’s a tweener. He was at his best offensively playing the five last season, but the Bruins finished 12th in the conference in 2-point defense due in large part to the lack of size and rim protection that Bilodeau provides.

The Bruins should have better guard play this year with the addition of Donovan Dent, but his scoring presence could also impact some of Bilodeau’s offensive production.

If Bilodeau can find the proper role on offense and defense, he has the potential to push for All-Big Ten honors this year.

(Photo credit: UCLA Athletics)

See More: Commentary, 2025-26 Big Ten preview