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Paul Biancardi, Basketball Recruiting
The June-July window is always a busy evaluation period. It’s also a time where prospects separate themselves from their peers and we begin to break down the classes to prepare for our updated summer rankings at the end of August.
Now that it’s August, we’re taking an early look at the summer’s top performers by dishing out superlatives in a variety of categories. This list is fun to form and difficult to finalize. Here are 12 notable players in the senior Class of 2025, plus some quick-hitting honorable mentions.
Most NBA potential: A.J. Dybantsa (No. 1 ESPN 100)
After a strong summer with USA Basketball and on the travel circuit, the path for Dybantsa both among his peers and into the future is clearing. He recently cut his school list to Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, Kansas, Kansas State and North Carolina. He was impactful and productive this summer while winning a lot over his multiple teams. He led the Elite Youth Basketball League with 197 points in transition, shot 82% on 173 free-throw attempts and made an impressive 38% of his movement catch-and-shoot 3’s. Dybantsa’s physical markers — he stands at 6-foot-9 with a 7-½ inch wingspan and an 8-11 standing reach with high-end scoring — enhance his upside and playmaking ability. The NBA scouts I spoke with over the summer feel he has a coveted combination of positional size, elite athletic ability and scoring package at his position. They have him as the favorite for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
Most productive: Cameron Boozer (No. 2 ESPN 100)
Boozer’s outstanding foundation of fundamentals and skill puts him in line for many superlatives. His efficiency stands out, and he plays to win. Case in point: He was named MVP of USA Basketball’s U17 gold medal team and his Nightrydas Elite team won Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Boozer is one of the few players in this class that produces in a positive fashion even if he’s not scoring. His 13.4 rebounds per game were four boards ahead of everyone else, and he also averaged 3.5 assists per game. He shot 58% overall, 70% at the rim, 59% on back-to-the-basket plays and converted at 84% from the free throw line, combined this summer per Synergy Sports.
Most versatile: Caleb Wilson (No. 5 ESPN 100)
Wilson’s infectious energy translates to his play. He finished June and July with 2.5 blocks per game and 1.3 steals defensively as a good switch defender. He also doesn’t commit many fouls, which keeps him on the court making an impact. Offensively, he’s a capable marksman despite only shooting from behind the arc occasionally, and can drive the mismatch and go inside when he has the advantage. Wilson’s maturity was his greatest strength this summer, showing he could fit in and still stand out among other talented prospects on Nightrydas Elite and win. He told ESPN that he will visit Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky, Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCF.
Best NBA scoring package: Nate Ament (No. 8 ESPN 100)
NBA players have the gift of scoring whether they’re open, contested or finishing through contact. Ament exploded this summer by putting up numbers in effortless fashion. He shot 42% on 3-pointers, per Synergy Sports, and digging deeper shows he knocked down 42% of catch-and-shoot movement 3’s and 41% off the dribble. Ament also scored in transition 64% of the time. He knocked down 43% of his mid-range shots against set defenses and made free throws at an 85% clip. Ament has an ideal long frame but needs to fill out and welcome contact. He demonstrates outstanding touch, footwork and a takeover mentality that is starting to evolve.
Best 3-point shooter: Braylon Mullins (No. 29 ESPN 100)
Mullins knocked down 42% of his 3’s on 175 attempts over the past two months. Both are high numbers, and the eye test evaluation confirms his shot preparation has a deep level of fundamentals, strong mechanics and sound shot quality. Vitally, Mullins moves to get open. Great shooters have self-confidence built on countless hours of practice and preparation. Mullins displays that on each attempt.
Best athlete: Sadiq White (No. 20 ESPN 100)
White has a long and strong frame with an extremely explosive vertical jumper and a quick second jump as a fantastic finisher. He averaged more than two dunks, one block and one steal per game over the past two months. He loves to drive the baseline and finish, or look for lobs from screen and rolls while running up behind defenders against man or zone. He is a very effective sprinter in the open court with long strides for exciting finishes or chase-down blocks. White is best at driving the ball from the pinch post area or short corner. He finished with 107 dunks during the high school season at Myers Park High School (North Carolina) last season. White utilizes his NBA athletic ability to manufacture points and influence the game.
Best combo guard: Darryn Peterson (No. 3 ESPN 100)
Peterson put up strong numbers and took control of games while still playing with a winning in mind. He demonstrated his “all-around mindset” this summer while averaging 24.1 points, 3.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game according to Synergy Sports. A big, strong guard, Peterson showed he can defend opposing point guards and shooting guards and make a defensive difference. He is looking at Kansas, Ohio State Kentucky, North Carolina, USC, Louisville and Washington.
Best low-post threat: Kai Rogers (No. 82 ESPN 100)
Rogers scores at a 69% clip with his back to the basket, according to Synergy Sports, and he gets points with post-up moves and proper angles. He’s a true big man with the ability to make and maintain contact in high-low actions with extremely good hands and finishing ability. His conditioning is good, but it can take another step forward. Rogers will punish opponents in the paint and on the blocks this upcoming season
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Hardest-playing recruit: Tounde Yessoufou (No. 19 ESPN 100)
The first part of Yessoufou’s game that stands out while watching him compete is that he plays with nonstop aggressiveness and intensity on both ends. Offensively, he attacks the basket to finish and rebounds with force. Defensively, he plays in his stance, works to guard the ball, hits the defensive glass and flies down the court. Yessoufou should be an all-defense type player with similarities to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort.
Best decision-maker: Cayden Boozer (No. 17 ESPN 100)
Boozer finished with a terrific 3.2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio against high-level competition this summer. Boozer thinks about advancing the ball, plays with his head up and possesses great vision. He chooses when to score and has a knack for moving the ball or making the assist. His physical strength to score with his drive game stands out as he’s able to pile up free throws. He also takes pride in his efficiency and winning. Boozer shot 51% overall, 44% on mid-range jumpers and was a 75% free throw shooter this summer in a smaller sample size — he converted 82% in high school with more volume.
Most improved: Matt Able, SG
I first evaluated Able at the Hoop Exchange in Florida. As a four-star recruit, he was a promising prospect and over the last year has made great strides in his floor game and scoring. His movement shooting off screens and spot-ups made a big jump. He shot 40% on 3-pointers and an outstanding 46% on no-dribble 3’s. Able will crack the ESPN 100 rankings in the late-August update. His final eight schools are Baylor, Boston College, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Northwestern. Michigan, Xavier and Miami.
Most dependable: Kingston Flemings (No. 23 ESPN 100)
Flemings is a do-it-all point guard that who be trusted throughout the game to make good decisions and scoring plays. His athletic ability is real at the point guard spot, and he engages defensively. Whether its transition or in the paint, he reads the defense and makes the right play. Texas, Houston, Arkansas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M are involved in his recruitment.
Honorable mentions
Best mid-range scorer: Trey McKenney, No. 14 ESPN 100
Most physically ready: Koa Peat, No. 4 ESPN 100
Best sleeper: Dante Allen, No. 63 ESPN 100
Best player under 6-foot: Keyshaun Tillery, No. 49 ESPN 100
Best pick-and-roll player: Acaden Lewis, No. 38 ESPN 100