Purdue's Braden Smith Leading Wooden Award Race Per Latest Odds
The talent pool in college basketball this season is as good as it gets. From stars we’ve seen for years, to one of the most loaded freshman classes in recent memory, there’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a hoops fanatic.
But who has the best chance to win the coveted Wooden Award and be the best player in the country in 2025-26? Here’s the current odds via BET MGM:
Braden Smith +450
Cam Boozer +700
Darryn Peterson +800
AJ Dybantsa +800
Yaxel Lendeborg +1000
JT Toppin +1200
Trey Kaufman-Renn +1800
Donovan Dent +3000
Bennett Stirtz +3000
Darrion Williams +3000
Nate Ament +3500
Otega Oweh +3500
Purdue senior guard Braden Smith, the current favorite, was one of five finalists for the Wooden Award last season after averaging 15.8 points and 8.7 assists for the Boilermakers. He’s the best player on what could be the best team in college basketball this season, with Purdue at No. 2 in the AP Poll.
Duke’s Cam Boozer, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa are all the centerpieces for their respective programs, even as freshmen. They’re also fighting for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Boozer could average a double-double, Peterson scores 20+ with ease and Dybantsa’s upside is as high as anyone in college hoops.
Moving down, we have three of the best frontcourt players in America: Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg, Texas Tech’s JT Toppin and Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn. All three are walking double-doubles.
UCLA senior guard Donovan Dent and Iowa senior guard Bennett Stirtz will be among the scoring and assists leaders in the Big Ten. NC State forward Darrion Williams and Kentucky guard Otega Oweh are savvy vets who create a ton of rim pressure, and Tennessee freshman wing Nate Ament is another player looking to be the first of the board in 2026.
The race is officially on after a thrilling week one.
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