The 2024-25 college basketball season came to a close just over five weeks ago — yet the landscape of the sport has drastically changed in that short amount of time.
The transfer portal, NBA Scouting Combine, and recruit signings have all shifted how we view next season. And still, there are immense amounts of excitement and anticipation for the season to begin. With that being said, it’s never too early to start ranking top players.
Here are the top 10 shooting guards in college basketball heading into next season.
Top 10 Shooting Guards in College Basketball in 2025
10) D.J. Wagner, Arkansas Razorbacks
Wagner got off to a slow start for the Razorbacks, but his move to point guard in late January due to injury seemed to reenergize and reengage him. Overall, he averaged 11.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while showing all the skills that made him a five-star and the top combo guard in the 2023 recruiting class.
Back for his junior season, he’s expected to slide back to the two-guard, but with an increased involvement with the ball in his hands. A dynamic attacker and creator, Wagner is poised for a breakout season and projects as one of the top guards in the SEC.
9) Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana Hoosiers
Wilkerson performed at a high level for the Sam Houston Bearkats last season, scoring 20.5 points (13th in the country) and grabbing 4.0 rebounds per game.
His field goal and three-point percentages of 47.7% and 44.5%, respectively, are even more impressive considering the amount of defensive attention he faced as the top offensive talent on his team.
Now a fifth-year senior, Wilkerson is set to join the Hoosiers, who lost nearly their entire roster a season ago. Because of that, the former Sam Houston star will have plenty of opportunities to score the ball and will be one of the top shooters in the Big Ten right away.
8) Solo Ball, UConn Huskies
Ball took a major step forward last season, improving his scoring average from 3.3 points as a freshman to 14.4 points as a sophomore. He increased his efficiency as well, shooting 43.9% from the field and improving greatly as a threat beyond the arc at 41.4%.
The Huskies’ two-guard is extremely quick-twitched and has the ability to get downhill and finish at the rim — all while nailing 2.8 three-pointers per game. With forward Liam McNeely gone, Ball will have an even bigger load and should improve his scoring average and overall impact even more.
7) Emanuel Sharp, Houston Cougars
Though Sharp, standing 6’3″ and 210 pounds, will likely be a small forward this upcoming season for the Cougars, his natural position is shooting guard, so that’s why he’s placed here. He really puts the emphasis in the “shooting” aspect of the position, as he’s an absolute sniper from long range.
Sharp averaged 12.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season while nailing 40.7% of his threes, with many coming from way beyond the arc. Physically tough and built like a linebacker, he’s also a very competitive defender and takes challenges with the right attitude and effort to get the job done.
6) Ryan Conwell, Louisville Cardinals
A member of the Xavier Musketeers last season, Conwell further established himself as one of the top combo guards in all of college basketball. For the season, he put up marks of 16.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 41.2% from deep.
As the team’s primary creator, Conwell was asked to do a lot. Now joining the Cardinals, he may not have as many on-ball responsibilities — which could free him up for more catch-and-shoot opportunities, leading to a higher percentage and more efficiency.
5) Darryn Peterson, Kansas Jayhawks
Having not played a single second of college basketball yet, this is a mere projection of the talent Peterson has shown on the AAU circuit and at the high school level. The No. 1 rated player in the 2025 class, the Prolific Prep guard, is explosive, savvy, and has the athletic ability that translates to highlight plays on both ends of the court.
At 6’6″, he has tremendous positional size and may play small forward for the Jayhawks — but make no mistake, his natural position is at the two-guard, where he can have the ball in his hands to create for himself and others as a high level all-around player.
4) John Blackwell, Wisconsin Badgers
Blackwell starred in a secondary role for the Badgers last season, as fellow guard John Tonje was the catalyst behind the team’s success. But not far behind and providing an excellent scoring punch was Blackwell, who scored 15.8 points, grabbed 5.1 rebounds, and dished out 2.2 assists per game a season ago.
Now that Tonje has graduated, all eyes will be on the 6’4″, 203-pound Blackwell. He has an innate ability to get to the basket and get to the free throw line, while also knocking down 1.6 three-pointers last season. He’ll be the go-to guy for Wisconsin from Day 1 next season.
3) Pop Isaacs, Houston Cougars
Formerly of the Creighton Bluejays, Isaacs’ decision to join Houston further bolstered their 2026 national title hopes. He was brilliant last season, averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as one of the primary creators for the second-round NCAA Tournament team.
Presumably handling some of the ball-handling responsibilities once again, Isaacs is poised to have a similar type of season surrounded by even better players.
2) Otega Oweh, Kentucky
Explosion is the word that sticks out about Oweh’s game. He is explosive with the ball in the open court, explosive at the rim, and explosive defensively where his effort and IQ match together to create a tremendous on- and off-ball defender.
He’s testing the draft process but is expected to return to the Wildcats, where he scored 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in 2024. He had multiple clutch, game-winning, or game-tying basketball down the stretch in games. If Kentucky is able to win an SEC championship in 2025, it’ll be because of Oweh’s will to get the job done.
1) P.J. Haggerty, Tranfer Portal
The best shooting guard in college basketball is one that remains in the transfer portal. Though there have been rumblings about the NC State Wolfpack as a potential destination for Haggerty, he remains team-less to date.
KEEP READING: From $4M Hopes to Big 12 Basement? PJ Haggerty’s Transfer Journey Takes a Brutal Turn
Leading the Memphis Tigers as a sophomore last season, Haggerty ranked third in the nation in scoring 21.7 points. He was a true three-level scorer, excelling at slashing to the rim while also threatening the defense from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, showcasing his all-around game.
Whichever team woos in Haggerty is getting a high-performing player who will immediately surge their chances of success in 2025.
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