Tyrese Haliburton Praises College Basketball's Standout Freshman Class

The Indiana Pacers star recognizes the impressive performances from the next generation of talent.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 3:39am

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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton took to social media to praise the standout performances of the 2026 college basketball freshman class. Players like Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, Mikel Brown Jr., Cameron Boozer, and Darius Acuff have all had breakout games, showcasing the depth and potential of this incoming crop of talent. Haliburton's acknowledgment of their achievements underscores the excitement surrounding the 2026 NBA Draft, where teams will be vying to land these franchise-altering prospects.

Why it matters

Haliburton's praise carries significant weight as an established NBA star, highlighting the exceptional abilities of this freshman class. Their performances have captured the attention of the basketball world, raising anticipation for the 2026 draft and the impact these players could have at the professional level. For the Indiana Pacers, who are positioned to potentially land a top pick, the standout play of these young talents is particularly relevant as they look to build their roster for the future.

The details

Darryn Peterson, a dynamic guard for Kansas, poured in 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-10 from three-point range, in just 18 minutes against Oklahoma State. BYU forward A.J. Dybantsa delivered a 35-point, 7-rebound, 2-assist performance in a narrow loss to No. 4 Arizona. Other notable performances include Mikel Brown Jr. of Louisville scoring 29 points against SMU, Cameron Boozer of Duke recording a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double against Syracuse, and Darius Acuff of Alabama erupting for 49 points in an overtime loss to the Crimson Tide.

  • On February 19, 2026, Tyrese Haliburton posted his praise for the standout freshman class on X.
  • The performances highlighted in the article took place between February 7 and February 17, 2026.

The players

Tyrese Haliburton

An All-NBA guard for the Indiana Pacers who is a self-proclaimed hoops junkie and is closely following the impressive play of the 2026 college basketball freshman class.

Darryn Peterson

A dynamic guard for the Kansas Jayhawks who has had several standout performances this season, including a 23-point game against Oklahoma State, despite missing multiple games due to availability concerns.

A.J. Dybantsa

A versatile forward for the BYU Cougars who delivered a 35-point, 7-rebound, 2-assist performance in a narrow loss to No. 4 Arizona, showcasing the skills that have scouts buzzing.

Mikel Brown Jr.

A guard for the Louisville Cardinals who scored 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting with five rebounds and four assists in a loss to SMU.

Cameron Boozer

A forward for the Duke Blue Devils who recorded a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double in a dominant win over Syracuse.

Darius Acuff

A player for the Alabama Crimson Tide who erupted for 49 points on 16-of-27 shooting, adding five rebounds and five assists in an overtime loss.

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What they’re saying

“Salute to all these freshman killing like this in college hoops, it's some special sh*t goin on.”

— Tyrese Haliburton

The takeaway

The depth and talent of the 2026 college basketball freshman class has captured the attention of NBA stars like Tyrese Haliburton, who recognize the transformational potential of these young players. With several standout performances already this season, the anticipation for the 2026 NBA Draft continues to grow, as teams position themselves to land these franchise-altering prospects.