National champion leads Aussie college stars to watch

• ‍An NBA scout's in-depth look at NBL's young stars‍
• Every Australian in NCAAM basketball in 2025-26‍
• Every Australian in the NCAA Women's basketball in 2025-26‍
• College rookies: 18 Aussie freshman to keep an eye on

The 2025-26 NCAA season is nearly ready to kick off, and the Australian pipeline continues to make a massive impact on Division 1 programs all across America.

From national champions who almost joined the NBA to key transfers, a bunch of Aussies are set to play a significant role in the campaigns of their respective schools this season.

Here are the five biggest Australian names in college basketball next season ready to make waves.

1. Alex Condon (Florida)

There was a time last year where it looked like Alex Condon was a sure shot to keep his name in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 2024-25 NCAA season went exactly to plan for Condon and his Florida Gators, taking out the national championship, in large part due to the efforts of the West Australian big in the frontcourt.

Condon’s sophomore season saw a big jump in opportunity and in production, with a major surge in offensive efficiency, particularly three point shooting (28.9% to 32.8%), as well as playmaking (1.2 to 2.2 assists per game). With averages of 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game on the best team in the nation, Condon had secured his reputation as an NBA-calibre big man packed with both versatility and toughness.

Public mock drafts would see Condon projected around the mid to late first round, so it came as somewhat of a surprise to see him take the bet on himself and return to Florida for his junior campaign.

“I was telling my agency the thing that would keep me in the draft is a first-round guarantee,” Condon told reporters after his announcement.

"I had really good workouts, I thought, but none of them could give me the guarantee at the time. The plan is this year to get that guarantee, you know, get out of school, but I’m really happy to be back and ready for another year.”

While the Gators have a roster primed for championship contention once again, this year feels more about personal achievement. As Condon moves up the team’s playing order with age and proven ability, there should be more scope for Condon to demonstrate his development on the offensive end.

I think (that's) the biggest difference this year; making those open threes, playing off more on the dribble (and) being more versatile as a player too.”

“I feel like that’s my game now,” Condon said.

“Shooting those even if I’m starting 0-for-3 or what, there’s going to be another three that goes up. I’m going to shoot it the same way with the same confidence. That’s kind of a goal I set for myself.”

Particularly through March, where Condon’s form throughout the national tournament was bogged down by injury niggles, Condon wasn’t able to show his individual best, and played at less than 100% for the team. Now, with a clean bill of fitness and another off-season in the gym under his belt, it’ll be exciting to see whether Condon can take the next step offensively and cement himself as a bona fide first-round draft pick in 2026.

2. Oscar Cluff (Purdue)

The NIL era has been with us for a few seasons now, and Oscar Cluff might’ve had the most sought after college ‘free agency’ of any Australian player yet after entering the portal from South Dakota State as one of the best big men on offer.

After averaging 17.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in the Summit League last season, Cluff’s market was at an all-time high. Cluff led the entire NCAA in rebound percentage and overall PER (Player Efficiency Rating), whilst leading the Jackrabbits in scoring, showing off his bruising post-game.

Now joining the Purdue Boilermakers, Cluff shared that the decision was a straightforward one.

"It was really a no-brainer in the end, I had Painter and Paul (Lusk) come out and recruit me. The welcoming and the love that I've gotten have been incredible. From there, it was just Purdue all the way.

"When I was looking at all the schools, there were only really a few schools that played with a traditional five ... and then I think the track record with the coaches, (especially) Coach (Brandon Brantley)."

It will be a big jump for the 6’11" Queenslander as he bounces back up to the Big 10, one season removed from competing in the Pac-12 with Washington State. Depending on Cluff’s success in his final year of college basketball, he may well position himself for fringe NBA opportunities, and will certainly have a broad international market regardless upon his graduation.

3. Austin Rapp (Wisconsin)

After a successful junior career, highlighted by his championship winning shot against Queensland in the 2024 Under 20 Australian Junior Championship game, Rapp came in as a promising recruit to the Portland Pilots last season, but it’s doubtful many forecast just how successful a season he would be set for.

Rapp turned heads from the moment he entered the WCC (West Coast Conference), stunning his combination of size and shooting ability. Rapp, alongside fellow Australian Max Mackinnon would lead Portland’s scoring, but it was the way he went about it that really boosted his stock. Rapp finished the season as the WCC’s most prolific outside shooter, knocking down a conference-high 83 three pointers in 31 games on 35.1% from outside.

With an elite stretch-big skillset now proven at the NCAA level, Rapp entered the portal, and landed with the Wisconsin Badgers. The Big 10 will be a big jump in competition, but if Rapp can successfully establish a large role on the team as a sophomore, he may be on track for big things going forward in his career.

"We're excited to add Austin to the Badger family," Wisconsin Head Coach Greg Gard said. "He's a big-time shooter at the stretch-4 position and will fit really well with how we play and who we are as a program. He's a highly-skilled big man and he showed that in winning Freshman of the Year in a good conference last season. We have a lot of mutual connections with Austin and all of our conversations centered on how well he fits Wisconsin and how well Wisconsin fits him."

"I couldn't be more excited to become a Wisconsin Badger," Rapp said. "I've grown up watching basketball and remember watching the Frank Kaminsky Final Four team at Wisconsin. I've always dreamed about playing for a successful and winning program and there couldn't get one better than Wisconsin. The culture, the coaches, the fans and even the culture around the city of Madison is incredible. I can't wait to join Wisconsin and help this program win in the next few years."

4. Max Mackinnon (LSU)

Rapp’s Pilot teammate Max Mackinnon used the WCC as a platform to similar success last season, averaging 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists, contributing across the board as the team’s lead guard.

Not only did his offensive usage to a big jump after transferring from Elon before the season, but his game hit a new level of efficiency, knocking down career high figures of  40.7% from three and 88.7% from the free throw line, whilst doubling his free throw rate and finishing with a True Shooting percentage of 58.3%.

Mackinnon now heads to LSU, where he’ll play his senior year under LSU and Boomers Assistant Coach David Patrick - whom Max partially attributed in his decision to join the program. It’ll be an adjustment in role and playing time, but Mackinnon has improved every season in college, and should be a useful perimeter piece for the Tigers.

“We are excited to add the shooting, skill level and experience that Max Mackinnon will bring to our team,” said LSU Head Coach McMahon. “At 6-6, he can space the floor from ‘3’ and is a proven playmaker with his passing ability. We look forward to Max’s arrive on campus this summer.”

5. Achor Achor

Achor Achor is somewhat out of the zeitgeist heading into his senior year with Mississippi State, but we’ve seen plenty from the 6’9 big to suggest that if it all comes together he could make big waves across the 2025-26 season.

Achor’s profile exploded the season before last with Samford, leading the team with averages of 16.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in only 22.7 minutes a contest. It was a fantastic year for the Bulldogs that saw them get all the way to March, and on a personal level, Achor demonstrated an extremely versatile skill set, showing off athleticism, floor spacing, post work and more.

With his stock on a surge, Achor parlayed his form into a transfer to Kansas State, but things were not meant to be. Starting the season injured, Achor eventually suited up in seven appearances for the Wildcats in a limited role before reports started to surface that he had parted ways with the program.

As further reporting developed, suggestions were that Achor was dismissed from the team for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’, per Jeff Goodman.

After an unfortunate speed bump in his otherwise ascending NCAA career, Achor has one more year to make an impact at the college level with Mississippi State. After the circumstances at Kansas State, it’s hard to know what to expect from Achor this season, but based what we’ve seen from the big man at his best, he has all the talent to make a big impact this season.

6. Harry Wessels (St Mary's)

Australian fans should be fairly well acquainted with West Australian big man Harry Wessels. The 7’1 post has been called up for Australian Boomers opportunities since 2021, most recently helping the Boomers win gold at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, reflecting his long-standing promise as one of our country's best frontcourt exports.

Yet, Wessels' college career has been progressing at a slightly slower pace by comparison, averaging a career high 16 minutes per game for the Saint Mary’s Gaels this past season. Could his senior year be the year we see his breakout opportunity?

Per 36 minutes last season, Wessels averaged 16 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3 blocks per game, whilst shooting 81.4% from the free throw line and 54.6% from the field. Perhaps most notably, he also brought down his foul rate dramatically, from 7 fouls per 40 as a sophomore to 4.8 as a junior. If he can take another step towards greater discipline this coming season, expect those minutes to open up significantly, allowing Wessels much more time to produce.

Big men often take longer to develop, but his strong reputation amongst the national team circle, as well as amongst NBL front offices, indicate the wait will be worth it. At 7'1", with serious rim protection, touch and the ability to knock down free throws, all the tools are there for Wessels to succeed, and the Gaels would be wise to expand his role as a senior.

About the Author

Michael Houben is an Australian basketball writer and scout based in Melbourne, Victoria. As well as covering the game as a journalist, Michael supports US colleges to identify and recruit Australian talent as the owner of Airtime Scouting, and supports grassroots athletes through Airtime Basketball.