As we launch new recruit rankings, we roll out our new top 25 men’s college basketball rankings regardless of class.
It’s a fun way to compare and contrast the best talent and the most productive talent among three classes.
Beside sheer production and potential, we look at noticeable traits that bring separating qualities to the equation.
Should a player elect to take the professional route, then he may be removed from the rankings. But we break down the top 25 prospects and where they stand in their recruitment.
1. SF Emoni Bates
6-foot-9, 185 pounds
Ypsi Prep Academy (Michigan)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 1
Bates is a natural shot creator and shot maker with elite scoring ability, ideal length and size, range and accuracy. His dribble moves are made with conviction. A low and tight crossover or going between the legs help give him space for his jumper or a finish at the basket. His giftedness to make contested shots is next level. Since decommitting from Michigan State in late April, other schools such as Texas and Memphis have jumped in his recruiting, but all signs point toward Bates opting for the professional path with the G-League.
2. C Jalen Duren
6-foot-10, 245 pounds
Montverde Academy (Florida)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 2
Duren has an NBA-ready frame with a physically imposing stature and a 7-foot-3 wingspan. His hands and nimble footwork are most impressive; he is a polished passer whether he faces up or whether his back is toward the basket. He has developed his handle, while his go-to mid-post jump shot also provides more upside. Duren recently visited Kentucky and Memphis, though he also made an official visit to Miami, where his former club coach, DJ Irving, is now on staff.
3. SG Amari Bailey
6-foot-4, 185 pounds
Sierra Canyon High School (California)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 3
An explosive, hard-nosed offensive catalyst, Bailey can play both on and off the ball. He has a smooth southpaw spot-up game combined with subtle playmaking instincts and explosiveness, all of which make Bailey one of the most polished prospects in the nation. The UCLA commit has a game similar to D’Angelo Russell.
4. SG Keyonte George
6-foot-4, 205 pounds
iSchool Entrepreneurial Academy (Texas)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 4
George has separated himself as a prominent scorer with a sturdy frame and above average body control. His ability to absorb contact and finish through the chest of rim protectors is advanced, and his on-court maturity is picking up to where he now plays through defensive attention with poise and grit. George’s top five are Texas, Baylor, Kentucky, Kansas and Oklahoma State.
5. SF Chris Livingston
6-foot-6, 190 pounds
Buchtel High School (Ohio)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 5
A physical two-way forward who thrives getting downhill and attacking the rim, Livingston is a high-motor prospect who has a future as a versatile defender. He owns exceptional vertical bounce to finish in traffic. He recently visited Kansas and Kentucky. Ohio State, North Carolina, Memphis and LSU are also in the mix.
6. SF Dariq Whitehead
6-foot-6, 190 pounds
Montverde Academy (Florida)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 6
Whitehead is an uber-talented and versatile prospect who is starting to emerge in the half-court set because the game is slowing down for him. He is quick-twitched and smooth in the open floor as a facilitator or a finisher. Whitehead’s defensive toughness, instincts and lateral quickness all make him a special player. He recently visited Duke and Florida State.
7. SG Jazian Gortman
6-foot-2, 175 pounds
W. J. Keenan High School (South Carolina)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 7
Gortman utilizes a crafty floater in addition to a three-level scoring punch. He understands how to find an open pocket of space to create for himself. A harassing defender with a quick hands, lateral quickness and a strong stance, Gortman plays with joy and brings energy to the game. NC State, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, Kansas, Clemson, Miami and Florida are among the many schools pursuing him.
8. SF Shaedon Sharpe
6-foot-5, 195 pounds
Dream City Christian School (Arizona)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 8
An elite scoring off-guard with a combination of burst, fluidity and touch as a three-level scorer, Sharpe continues to rise because of his two-way trajectory, advanced offensive skill set and a high ceiling defensively. Arizona and Kentucky are out in front in his recruitment.
9. SF Brandon Miller
6-foot-7, 190 pounds
Cane Ridge High School (Tennessee)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 9
Miller is best at getting to the rim and using his length to finish through and over defenders. He is a multi-positional defender whose skill set is just emerging. Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee are heavily in pursuit, with Alabama garnering some momentum.
10. C Dereck Lively
7-foot-1, 220 pounds
Westtown School (Pennsylvania)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 10
With NBA size and length, Lively brings high-level rim protection and high-end finishing tools. His perimeter production is starting to show as well. Lively has great bounce and can both stretch the floor and dominate the glass. Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina are battling for his commitment.
11. PG D.J. Wagner
6-foot-2, 175 pounds
Camden High School (New Jersey)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 1
Wagner is a multi-faceted scorer with speed, fluidity and poise. The top-ranked rising junior can score in transition and against a set defense. He displays the ability to glide with high-level body control as well. Wagner plays one possession ahead of the defense. He has visited Temple and Villanova, while Kentucky is on him hard.
12. C Jalen Lewis
6-foot-8, 220 pounds
Bishop O’Dowd High School (California)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 2
A physical forward whose game has opened up massively over the last year, Lewis can score inside and on the perimeter with legitimate playmaking tools. While he is dominant on the glass, his traits can turn him into a point forward. Kentucky, UCLA, Arkansas and Stanford are among the college programs involved, though a professional route is a real possibility.
13. PG Dior Johnson
6-foot-2, 180 pounds
Centennial High School (California)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 11
The Oregon commit is a smooth, crafty creator and shot maker. Johnson is a playmaker and a dynamic lead guard who can be a catalyst in every facet offensively, specifically in the pick and roll. His passing vision and instincts are a very underrated part of his game.
14. C Baye Fall
6-foot-11, 220 pounds
Lutheran High School (Colorado)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 3
Fall is an excellent rim-running prospect who’s physically imposing and explosive vertically. He is extremely long and has an advanced balance of touch around the rim and power to finish above the rim. Arizona, Baylor and Kansas are among those making early pushes.
15. SF Javonte Taylor
6-foot-7, 185 pounds
Kenwood Academy High School (Illinois)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 4
Taylor is a long-armed shot creator with an on-point pull-up jumper and a strong slashing game. His activity in the passing lanes and transition production are mainstays in his skill set. Kentucky and Illinois are among the early leaders to land the rising junior.
16. PF Kwame Evans
6-foot-9, 200 pounds
Polytechnic Institute High School (Maryland)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 5
Evans has great bounce and instincts, and can excel at getting to the rim and producing in transition. His defensive potential is untapped; he shows flashes of forcing turnovers and causing leak outs. He is developing a more capable handle and 3-point shot for a prospect of his size. When he combines his post and perimeter skills, he becomes a mismatch for opponents.
17. SF Mackenzie Mgbako
6-foot-7, 195 pounds
Gill St. Bernard’s School (New Jersey)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 6
Mgbako is a smooth scorer with sound fundamentals, a purposeful dribble and great footwork to beat defenders off the bounce. He is a strong spot-up shot maker who has instincts to find space in the mid-range and beyond the arc. Duke, Ohio State and UConn have been pursuing him.
18. PF Omaha Bielew
6-foot-8, 210 pounds
Montverde Academy (Florida)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 7
Opposing big men move out of the way when Bielew is headed for the rim. He is a powerful athlete whose high-end potential might reside on the defensive end, where he uses length, quickness and strength to defend the 1-5. He recently visited Kansas, Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska, and Arkansas and Illinois are among the other teams involved in his recruitment.
19. SG Mikey Williams
6-foot-2, 185 pounds
Lake Norman Christian School (North Carolina)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 8
Williams is an explosive three-level scorer and a hard-nosed driver who is dynamic in the open floor. Williams has improved his pick-and-roll game and can better read opponents and produce. He is undervalued as a passer because of his scoring prowess, though he needs to work on his efficiency. His recruitment is wide open.
20. PF Tyler Smith
6-foot-10, 205 pounds
Westbury Christian School (Texas)
2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 9
Smith is a high-wired southpaw with great length and the ability to score at all three. He has a strong feel for the game, specifically as a pop-or-roll man. There are times when he disappears during games, however his physical tools and natural talent are undeniable. UCLA, Kansas, Baylor, Auburn and Arkansas are among the many teams recruiting him.
21. SF Jordan Walsh
6-foot-7, 200 pounds
Southern California Academy (California)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 12
Walsh can make tough shots and has a vertical bounce that has him elevating over other defenders at the rim. He drives and finishes with conviction. Walsh has also demonstrated the ability to attack the offensive glass for second-chance opportunities. Among the teams getting early visits include Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia and TCU.
22. SG Skyy Clark
6-foot-2, 185 pounds
Ensworth High School (Tennessee)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 13
Clark is one of the best outside shooters in the high school game. He has a great feel for spacing and knows how to free himself for his shot. The Kentucky commit can finish well with strength in traffic, and he can slide over to point guard with his judicious passing abilities.
23. PG Jaden Bradley
6-foot-2, 180 pounds
IMG Academy (Florida)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 14
Bradley is a conventional point guard who relishes his role as a coach on the floor. He is a pass-first point guard but does not only pass. He has terrific size for his position, and the fact he has increased his overall strength gets him almost anywhere off the dribble. Bradley is a high-level playmaker, strong decision maker and leads his teammates to other scoring opportunities. He has visited Arizona, Alabama, Michigan and UNC.
24. C Adem Bona
6-foot-9, 225 pounds
Prolific Prep (California)
2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 15
Bona has wide shoulders, strong hands and a powerful frame that can influence the game, but beyond his physical presence is his energy. He epitomizes playing with passion on both ends of the floor by finishing, rebounding, defending and blocking shots. His offensive post game has made noticeable improvement.
25. PF Derik Queen
6-foot-8, 230 pounds
St. Frances Academy (Maryland)
2024 ESPN 25 ranking: 1
Queen, the top-ranked rising sophomore in the country, is a powerful forward who can produce exceptionally well and has a highly competitive mindset. Already, he demands a double team, especially in the post. Showing flashes of a 3-point shot, he is starting to show he can score at all three levels. His footwork and ability to maneuver away and off defenders are extremely impressive as well. Maryland, Georgetown, LSU, DePaul and Virginia Tech are involved early.
Honorable mentions: PF Jarace Walker (2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 16), SF M.J. Rice (2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 17), PF Kijani Wright (2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 18), PF Ron Holland (2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 10), SF Naasir Cunningham (2024 ESPN 25 ranking: 2)