Selecting 3 Most Impactful Arizona State Basketball Players Thus Far

The Sun Devils have received contributions from several players - these stand above the rest.

ASU Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) sits on the bench before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Desert Financial Arena on Nov. 17, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- The Arizona State Sun Devils have somewhat flipped the script to begin the 2025-26 season - as they are going into a matchup with Hawaii on Thursday night with a 3-1 record - the lone loss was a competitive battle with powerhouse Gonzaga.

This is in large part due to a balanced roster that 11th-year head coach Bobby Hurley has constructed - the talent has gelled well together and has typically performed well on both ends despite several unfortunate injuries that have hit the team.

Arizona State on SI takes a look at the three players that have impacted the team most in the midst of a successful start below.

Moe Odum

Odum has excelled in the first four games of his Arizona State career.

The Pepperdine transfer has been an incredible organizer of the Sun Devil offense, as he ranks within the top 10 in the nation in assists per game. Beyond that, Odum has been quite selfless and has been at the forefront of the offense displaying more intention.

Odum also has averaged nearly 15 points per game and has shot over 40% from three-point range - garnering significant praise from Hurley for how he has helped boost this team.

Arizona State Sun Devils Moe Odum (5) runs with the ball against Southern Utah Thunderbirds Elijah Duval (1) during a game at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Nov. 4, 2025. | Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Massamba Diop

The freshman center out of Senegal has been a revelation in succession of five-star phenom Jayden Quaintance.

The 20-year old has averaged 14.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and has averaged 3 combined blocks/steals per contest for good measure.

Diop's ball-handling ability, general awareness down low on defense, and potential to add a consistent outside shot into his arsenal are all reasons to be bullish about the potential NBA prospect moving forward.

ASU Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) is introduced before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Desert Financial Arena on Nov. 17, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Anthony "Pig" Johnson

Johnson - a senior who played at the NAIA level last season - has been an undeniable spark off of the bench for the Sun Devils.

Johnson has shot an impressive 54.8% from the floor and nearly 43% from three-point range on lower volume - all while showing consistent effort on the defensive side of the ball.

Johnson has all of the makings of a microwave scorer - in a similar way that former Sun Devil Alonzo Verge was - but the rising guard also explicitly fits within the system, playing a team brand of basketball and being routinely willing to pass up a good shot for a great shot.

The Sun Devils will either be 4-1 or 3-2 after the Hawaii battle on Thursday night, with the Maui Invitational to follow.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on how the culture that has been cultivated by coach Dillingham showed up against West Virginia here.

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