Preparation replacing patience for Big 12 freshmen: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Isaiah Johnson and more

Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson (2) attempts a layup around TCU's Micah Robinson (5) at the CU Events Center on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Boulder, Colorado. Johnson scored 16 points and dished five assists in the 87-61 win.

Defensive discipline, physicality and structure have historically favored experience, often pushing freshmen to the bench. This season, that expectation is starting to feel outdated. Across the conference, first-year players aren't just rotational; they are turning into stars. They executed their roles the second they stepped on the court.

Colorado’s Isaiah Johnson is a prime example of this narrative, being one of the best sixth men in the nation, averaging 16.6 points off the bench and leading the Buffs' offense. His ability to impact games without overextending his role reflects a level of preparation uncommon for freshmen in the Big 12, especially with the efficiency he posts as an undersized guard.

This readiness isn't accidental. As the son of Chris Johnson, a prolific NBA trainer, and godson of Chris Paul, a 12-time NBA All-Star, Isaiah grew up around high-level players and professional environments, gaining early exposure and preparing for college basketball.

Johnson is one of several Big 12 freshmen proving the point that freshmen are more prepared for college basketball than ever before.

The other players are: BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Arizona forward Koa Peat, guard Brayden Burries, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Houston guard Kingston Flemings.

Dybantsa, Peat and Peterson were all five-star recruits coming out of high school and are making an impact immediately.

Dybantsa arrived in college basketball with expectations of being one of the most highly regarded prospects in the nation, but his early impact was thanks to his preparation, not the fact that he was a star. His time at Utah Prep placed him in a complex environment with other stars, which mirrors the demands of college.

He averages 23.3 points per game, which is third in the nation, along with 6.4 boards. He notably dropped 43 points against the Utah Utes in the Holy War rivalry.

Peterson made his start at Prolific Prep, known for producing high-level NBA talent. He entered college with one of the most decorated resumes in the country, winning the 2025 Naismith Prep Player of the Year. That background shows his comfort within structure, where experience has eased the transition into a collegiate role.

Averaging 21.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, he has unfortunately been riding the bench in half of Kansas’s games with several lower-body injuries, including an ankle sprain against the Buffs and a hamstring injury. He scored 18 points in the first half of Kansas win over Dybantsa and BYU.

Unlike Dybantsa and Peterson, Peat’s path into college basketball was different. He went to Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, for all four years, leading them to four straight state championships. He made contributions with his physicality, rebounding and defensive awareness that translated quickly without needing offensive control.

Peat averages 14.8 points and 5.6 boards, shooting 57% from the field, which is 48th in the nation. His efficiency reflects how Peat rarely forces offense, scoring through rim runs and second-chance opportunities.

That evolution extends beyond some of the conference’s headline forwards. Among Big 12 freshman guards, early opportunity has increasingly gone to players who understand pace, defensive responsibility and decision-making.

Burries, a five-star recruit out of high school and the No. 1 player out of California from Eleanor Roosevelt High School, has made an early impact. It has been defined by how he fits with his volume scoring. 

The number one scorer for the Wildcats is averaging 15.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He poured in 29 points on 7-of-13 shooting against No. 13 BYU.

Flemings, a 6-foot-4 freshman out of William J. Brennan High School, has carved out early minutes within Kelvin Sampson’s rotation, a notable indicator of trust in a program that prioritizes experience and defensive reliability.

He punctuated that trust with a 42-point performance against the No. 12-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, showing the ceiling that exists when preparation meets opportunity. He is averaging 17.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, leading the Cougars in scoring and assists.

The common part of this freshman class isn’t hype or usage but readiness. From Johnson’s defined role at Colorado to the contributions of Peat, Burries and Flemings, the Big 12 is seeing first-year players trusted earlier.

The teams best equipped to navigate the Big 12 grind may not be those powered by freshmen stars, but those supported by freshmen who understand how to contribute without disrupting structure.

Cover photo by Paxton Haines/Sko Buffs Sports