If we’re handing out the proverbial preseason hardware, that means the college basketball season is just about here. I’m usually ready to burst with anticipation for the first night of the season when we hit the stage; this year is no different. Narratives have been built, expectations have been set for when the games begin Nov. 3
Let’s add to the stage-setting. It’s time to announce three of our four individual preseason men’s college basketball awards. We’re introducing two categories this season that will bring some more honors and definition around the players who are expected to be some of the very best. But before we get there, two notes:
1) It’s been a few years now, but a reminder: CBS Sports no longer names a preseason coach of the year. (The award seems flawed in its premise.) Our only COY voting comes the week of the Final Four. Last season, Kelvin Sampson won.
2) Voting is in for our Freshman of the Year, but you’ll have to wait one more day to find out which player won. Cameron Salerno and Isaac Trotter are again teaming up to name a preseason All-Freshman team that will be headlined by the CBS Sports NFOY.
2025-26 CBS Sports Preseason All-America Teams: Purdue, Big Ten lead way with college basketball’s top players
Gary Parrish
Today, we unveil the CBS Sports Preseason National Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Transfer of the Year. For defense: It’s a skill too often overlooked and not nearly given enough publicity and credit over the course of a season. A lot of players…
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