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It pays well to be a college basketball star.
That wasn't always true, of course. But in the era of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), top players are able to capitalize on their brand through deals off the court, with more financial incentive to perform well in college, hit the transfer portal eyeing a bigger deal, or hold off on their NBA futures longer.
Naturally, most of college basketball's biggest names are among the reported highest earners in 2025-26. Plenty of the top NIL earners are known for their elite production, while others were top-notch high school recruits or the son of an NBA star.
Here's a look at the 10 highest-paid players in college basketball for the 2025-26 season, according to the On3.com database.
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No. 1: AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $4.2 million
Regarded as a potential No. 1 NBA draft selection long before he even stepped onto a college court, BYU's AJ Dybantsa has lived up to the hype so far as one of the best high school prospects ever.
He led the country in scoring (25.3 points per game) as a freshman in 2025-26, likely his only season with the Cougars before he heads to the next level. As arguably the most well-known name in college basketball, Dybantsa has reportedly earned a massive NIL package compared to his peers.
SN EXPERT BRACKETS: DeCourcy (Arizona) | Bender (Michigan) | Iyer (Arizona) | Gay (UCLA women)
No. 2: J.T. Toppin, F, Texas Tech
- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $2.8 million
After a stint at New Mexico State to open his college career, JT Toppin has become one of the best players in the nation at a school with a reputation for spending on athletes: Texas Tech.
However, Toppin, who was the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2024-25, went down with an injury in the 2025-26 season.
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No. 3: Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
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- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $2.2 million
When Cooper Flagg left Duke for the NBA, the Blue Devils found another star — and he's one of many sons of former NBA stars currently playing college basketball.
Cameron Boozer dominated the 2025-26 season for Duke, at minimum set to become a top-3 pick in the NBA Draft after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists entering the NCAA Tournament.
MORE: Full history of Duke NCAA Tournament titles
No. 4: Morez Johnson, F, Michigan
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- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $2.0 million
Michigan landed a star forward in the transfer portal after the 2024-25 season, and he came from a Big Ten foe, Illinois.
Morez Johnson Jr. has received a significant reported NIL package around $2 million to play for the Wolverines, with whom he was an All-Big Ten Defensive team selection and an All-Big Ten second team selection in 2025-26.
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No. 5: Jayden Quaintance, F, Kentucky
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- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $2.0 million
One of the top players in the Class of 2024, Jayden Quaintance originally committed to Kentucky out of high school, flipped to Arizona State, then transferred to the Wildcats after his freshman season.
However, Quaintance has played limited NCAA action so far due to a torn ACL suffered toward the end of his freshman year. He's appeared in four games as a sophomore, but has remained limited as he seeks to return to full health.
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No. 6: Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan
- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $2.0 million
Michigan had an outstanding 2025-26 regular season, going 31-3. Part of the reason for that was leading scorer Yaxel Lendeborg, who transferred from UAB after the 2024-25 season and has become one of the best forwards in the country.
Named the 2025-26 Big Ten Player of the Year, Lendeborg has been the best player on the Big Ten's best team — everything the Wolverines could have wanted after landing him in the portal.
MORE: Everything to know about Yaxel Lendeborg's injury status entering March Madness
No. 7: Caleb Wilson, F, UNC
- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $1.9 million
A consensus five-star recruit coming out of the 2025 class, Caleb Wilson has been the star UNC hoped he would be, dominating as a freshman with 19.8 and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Although he had a hand injury that ended his freshman season prematurely, Wilson is likely set to become a high-end NBA lottery pick after blossoming into stardom with the Tar Heels.
MORE: College basketball's highest paid coaches
No. 8: Braden Smith, G, Purdue
- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $1.7 million
One the most consistent guards in the country over the last few years, Braden Smith has continued to ascend for Purdue. He broke the Big Ten single season assist record as a sophomore, and has continued to eye more records for the Boilermakers along the way.
Purdue has reportedly had around $1.7 million in NIL available for Smith, the price to pay for one of the best floor generals in program history.
MORE: Most assists in a March Madness game
No. 9: Denzel Aberdeen, G, Kentucky
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- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $1.6 million
Denzel Aberdeen won the 2025 national title with Florida, then decided to leave the Gators for the transfer portal. He landed at Kentucky as one of the best players available.
Aberdeen averaged 13.2 points and 3.6 assists for the Wildcats in 2025-26, one of the leading forces for Mark Pope's squad.
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No. 10: Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois
- 2025-26 NIL Valuation: $1.5 million
There's been a lot of talented freshman across college basketball in 2025-26, but perhaps no player has burst onto the scene more than Illinois' Keaton Wagler.
He was a four-star recruit out of high school, but as a freshman in 2025-26, Wagler has set a new scoring record for an Illinois freshman in a single game, also averaging 17.9 points, 4.4 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game to become a top NBA prospect.
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