Auburn's Johni Broome, Duke's Cooper Flagg, and Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. have achieved the prestigious honor of being named unanimous selections for the 2025 CBS Sports First Team All-Americans. Rounding out this elite group are Purdue's Braden Smith and Texas Tech's JT Toppin. This esteemed selection was made by a panel of CBS Sports writers and analysts, with votes submitted on Monday. Notably, all games played by these athletes from the start of the season through the Elite Eight of the 2025 NCAA Tournament were taken into account, allowing for comprehensive data to influence these decisions.
The standout performer of the season, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, was recognized as the nation's best player, earning the title of 2024-25 CBS Sports Player of the Year. Flagg's remarkable performance throughout the season placed him among the top 40 players in CBS Sports' Top 100 And 1 college basketball rankings released in October. His consistency and excellence were anticipated, particularly as he and Broome competed closely for the National Player of the Year honors.
Cooper Flagg exceeded expectations as the No. 1 overall prospect, leading Duke to an ACC title, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a spot in the Final Four. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged an impressive 19.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His defensive prowess also earned him ACC All-Defense honors, marking one of the most significant impacts by a freshman since Zion Williamson six years ago.
Johni Broome played a pivotal role in securing the SEC title for Auburn, showcasing his two-way dominance throughout the season. He averaged 18.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game, contributing to a team that enjoyed eight consecutive weeks at the top of the AP poll. Despite facing injuries, Broome's resilience helped him achieve 21 double-doubles this season.
Walter Clayton Jr. delivered exceptional performances, particularly in the postseason, leading Florida to an SEC Tournament title and the Final Four. Over seven postseason games, he averaged 21.6 points with a remarkable 47.4% shooting from three-point range. His clutch shooting in victories over UConn and Texas Tech was instrumental in taking the Gators to their first national semifinal since 2014.
JT Toppin elevated his game in his sophomore year at Texas Tech, becoming a crucial asset for the Red Raiders. Averaging 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, Toppin consistently emerged as the best player on the court, especially during the team's Elite Eight run. He ramped up his performance down the stretch, averaging 22.3 points over the final 15 games.
Braden Smith made significant contributions for Purdue, especially in the absence of two-time Player of the Year Zach Edey. He ranked second nationally in assists per game at 8.7 and showcased his scoring ability with a 38.1% shooting percentage from three-point range. Smith's defensive skills were also noteworthy, as he averaged 2.2 steals per game, solidifying his status as a premier floor general in college basketball.
The CBS Sports First Team All-Americans reflect a diverse distribution of talent across various conferences. The team includes the ACC Player of the Year (Flagg), Big Ten Player of the Year (Smith), Big 12 Player of the Year (Toppin), SEC Player of the Year (Broome), and the runner-up for SEC Player of the Year (Clayton). Of the 15 players recognized across the three CBS Sports All-America teams, four each hail from the SEC and Big East, three from the Big Ten, and two from the Big 12, with one each representing the ACC and AAC.
Notable players recognized on the 2024-25 CBS Sports All-America Second Team include John Tonje from Wisconsin, Mark Sears from Alabama, Kam Jones from Marquette, Ryan Kalkbrenner from Creighton, and PJ Haggerty from Memphis, each contributing significantly to their respective teams and showcasing exceptional talent throughout the season.
Among the 2024-25 CBS Sports All-America Third Team selections are Eric Dixon from Villanova, LJ Cryer from Houston, RJ Luis Jr. from St. John's, Trey Kaufman-Renn from Purdue, and Zakai Zeigler from Tennessee, all of whom demonstrated remarkable skills and played pivotal roles in their teams' successes this season.
This year’s selections highlight the exceptional talent present in college basketball, showcasing players who have made significant contributions to their teams and the sport as a whole.
