Fresh off of June team camps and the July evaluation period, we are updating the men’s college basketball recruiting player rankings in each class.
Amid the reclassifications of Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren, we have a pair of new No. 1-ranked prospects, as well as some notable risers and new faces on the rankings board.
Meet the No. 1 prospects
SG Shaedon Sharpe
Previous 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 6
Uncommitted
Sharpe ascended to the No. 1 spot because of his elite ability to produce points within a team flow. At 22 points per game (shooting 48% from the floor and 36% from 3), he finished third in the Nike EYBL in scoring.
A strong and explosive shooting guard, he is a shot maker both off the dribble and from a catch-and-shoot scenario. He has demonstrated the exceptional ability to create his own shot as well. Whether it’s a set play or a broken play, Sharpe will make opponents pay.
Shape is outstanding from the mid-range and is a consistent transition pull-up 3-point shooter. He drives the ball with a quick first step and can leverage himself by getting low and keeping defenders on his hip. His shooting range and accuracy are both on point in large part because of his shoot readiness, elevation to lift up over defenders and balanced finish.
“I coached Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett and Caleb Houstan. Shaedon is just as talented,” said Sharpe’s coach, UPLAY director Dwayne Washington. “He is a simple kid — a no-limelight guy. He plays to win and loves competitive matchups. Shadeon falls in love with the process of improving. That’s what makes him special.”
Sharpe, who also averages 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists, has already been offered a two-year deal worth $1.5 million to play in the G League, according to Washington. Sharpe also visited Arizona and Kentucky and is expected to make a decision soon.
PG D.J. Wagner
Previous 2023 ESPN 60 ranking: 1
Uncommitted
Wagner has held the top spot in his class for a while. He sticks to being in the gym, approaching every opponent with the same focus.
“I need to work on everything,” Wagner told ESPN. “Coach Rick Brunson has been teaching me about being a vocal player. I really need to improve on that part of my game.”
He displays maturity through his ball screen attack, as he navigates with purpose and does not pre-read the defense. He creates separation quickly while making the correct read. His ability to push the ball with speed in the open floor is evident and puts pressure on the defense.
In the half court, his pull-up jumper happens at a moment’s notice, and he is effective in the paint with his jump stop and one-foot floater. Wagner can get creative with his drive game, as he accelerates and changes his angles to the rim. What makes him special is that he remains connected to helping his team in other ways when his shot isn’t falling.
“He is an underrated passer,” said Brunson, the head coach at Camden High School (New Jersey). “Because he has to score so much his passing gets overlooked. He can find the open man.”
SF Naasir Cunningham
Previous 2024 ESPN 25 ranking: 2
Uncommitted
Cunningham showed out with some big performances, and his upside has taken another step, which propelled him up to the top past St. Frances Academy (Maryland) power forward Derik Queen.
At an early age, Cunningham has the outline of a big wing with playmaking ability. Cunningham oozes with plenty of talent and fluid movements in his mixed scoring package of jumpers and drives. His handle and dribble moves are in concert and coordinated, which make him a constant moving target. His light frame and explosive legs allow him to rise up above the crowd for a rebound or a block. He makes the game look easy with his ball skills.
More prospects on the rise
C Dereck Lively
Current 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 2
Previous 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 8
Uncommitted
Lively is improving at a rapid rate. A legit 7-footer who runs the floor with long strides and effort, he is extremely mobile when covering ground, such as hedging a ball screen out by the arc and recovering to the rim. He was a defensive force this summer and is starting to make multiple efforts on defense, giving help and blocking shots on both his man and from the weak side.
Offensively, his versatility is noticeable. He is ready to catch lobs and drop-off passes. He rolls to the basket with impressive hands and finishes with a quick surge to the rim. Facing the basket, he is capable behind the 3-point line. His back-to-the-basket game needs development. At times, he has shown a jump hook and a turnaround jumper. By nature, most big men are quiet and reserved; Lively brings an engaging personality to the game and can be a future NBA lottery draft pick.
He lists seven schools for his commitment: Duke, Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, USC and Penn State.
SG Nick Smith
Current 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 6
Previous 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 35
Uncommitted
Smith has become one of the most prolific scorers in the senior class. His stock has taken off because of his ability to shoot and score. He can break down his defender with the ball in his hands, rise up for jumper and create fouls. Smith will get resourceful with his floater and finishes.
In the Peach Jam championship game, he went for 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting.
Bottom line: He equally adept at shooting off the catch or a rhythm dribble from anywhere on the court.
“Nick Smith might be the most competitive player I’ve seen outside of Russell Westbrook,” said Corey Frazier, head coach of Bradley Beal Elite. “He plays with a chip on his shoulder every game. He is a rare talent.”
Smith recently took a visit to Arkansas-Pine Bluff and will later visit Kentucky, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He is also considering Alabama, Auburn, Kansas, Memphis and Overtime Elite.
SG Collin Chandler
Current 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 28
Previous 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 77
Committed to: Utah
Chandler plays as an all-purpose highly competitive scoring guard who has strong basketball instincts and positional size at 6-foot-4, 175 pounds. He thrives in transition and is constantly attacking opponents, never allowing defenses to rest because they need to be ready for the fast break.
He is best at shooting 3s or driving into the paint to make a play. Chandler is unafraid to make a mistake, as he plays a downhill style of basketball and is a committed defender. He is expected to go on a mission before enrolling at Utah.
SG Jaden Schutt
Current 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 47
Previous 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: Unranked
Uncommitted
Schutt is one of the best shot-makers in the high school game regardless of class. With good elevation, balance and excellent footwork into the shot with two eyes on the rim, Schutt displays confidence on every attempt.
His offensive game is not limited to shooting. He makes off-ball cuts with conviction, and when opponents deny him of a catch, he is quick to make a back cut. When his defender tries to run him off the arc, he drives the close-out with poise. He displays a toughness to grind it out in the half court along with straight-line speed and bounce to finish a break.
Schutt has visited Duke and will visit Florida in mid-September. Michigan State and Iowa are also involved in his recruitment.
SF Leon Bond
Current 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: 72
Previous 2022 ESPN 100 ranking: Unranked
Committed to: Virginia
One of the more physical prospects in the Class of 2022, Bond’s lateral foot speed and impressive fast-twitch fibers give his vertical some extra pop. He is 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, and his plus wing span should factor on the defensive side.
Offensively, he is best at scoring in or near the paint by way of driving, cutting, a quick post-up or a pull-up jumper. He can be physical and effective, even though he is an undersized wing.
Even though Virginia does not switch much on defense, Bond could be a good emergency switch defender and is capable to guard multiple positions. He could be terrific at contesting shots and getting deflections. He can also produce momentum-changing plays, such as a chase-down block or an alley-oop. He is the third ESPN 100 prospect in Virginia’s class.