TCU Basketball Alum Desmond Bane Receives Major Recognition Ahead of NBA Season

Former TCU basketball standout Desmond Bane is entering the 2026-27 NBA season with plenty of expectations, and Bleacher Report has recognized his standing among the league's best players.

Bane landed at No. 45 in Bleacher Report's annual ranking of the NBA's 99 best players heading into the upcoming season. That ranking placed him among the league's most accomplished players as he prepares for his second season with the Orlando Magic.

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"Desmond Bane got off to a slowish start with his new team last season, and plenty of fans and analysts seemingly wrote him off the rest of the way. But if you carve off his first 20 games, Bane averaged 20.7 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.2 threes," BR writes. "If he can produce like that from the start of 2026-27, the Orlando Magic will be one of the stronger teams in the East."

The ranking reflects Bane's ability to impact a game as both a scorer and a shooter. After arriving in Orlando following a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies, he initially experienced some growing pains adjusting to his new team. However, his production improved considerably as the season progressed.

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That stretch that followed his slow start demonstrated why Orlando invested heavily in acquiring the former TCU star. His outside shooting provides valuable spacing for a Magic offense built around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, two players who benefit from having reliable perimeter threats alongside them.

Despite Bane's individual contributions, Orlando still finished 19th in points per 100 possessions last season. Bleacher Report identified his ability to help carry the offensive load as a major question heading into the new campaign.

If Bane can maintain the level of production he displayed after his early adjustment period, he could help Orlando become a more dangerous team in the Eastern Conference. His combination of perimeter shooting, secondary playmaking, and overall scoring ability gives the Magic another dependable option when their primary creators face defensive pressure.

Bane's placement at No. 45 also highlights the impressive trajectory of his professional career. Selected at the end of the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, he developed into a key contributor in Memphis before becoming one of Orlando's central offensive pieces.

His journey began at TCU, where he established himself as one of the Big 12's most dependable shooters. Bane's college success helped him overcome concerns about his athletic profile entering the NBA and become a highly productive professional.

Now entering another season with Orlando, Bane has an opportunity to prove that his ranking could be even higher next year.

For TCU fans, his continued recognition among the NBA's top players provides another reminder of the talent the Horned Frogs developed in Fort Worth. If Bane can help elevate Orlando's offense in 2026-27, he could strengthen his case for an even higher spot in next year's rankings.