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Paul Biancardi, Basketball Recruiting
A busy summer of basketball concluded with updated ESPN player rankings for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 boys’ recruiting classes — which, inevitably, leads to a series of fun questions: Who are the best high school players in the country? Who are the best long-term prospects? Who produces the most?
Looking at the top of each class is a great start to finding those answers. Entering the fall, all three classes have compelling arguments for the top spot.
Incumbent A.J. Dybantsa holds serve atop the 2025 rankings, but Cameron Boozer and Darryn Peterson were both strong candidates. Expect them to continue to challenge for the top spot once the high school season kicks off, with Nate Ament and Caleb Wilson rounding out the top five.
Tyran Stokes is too physically imposing, naturally talented and productive to relinquish pole position in the 2026 class; still, keep an eye on Brandon McCoy, whose two-way ability and leadership as a big point guard make him a real threat for the No. 1 spot. Caleb Holt, Alijah Arenas, and Jordan Smith Jr. all made big strides this summer and will make this race even more competitive.
The 2027 group will have the most movement because they are so young and have so much time to develop. Babatunde Oladotun has so much promise and athletic ability. He remains on top for now, but C.J. Rosser, Lincoln Cosby and Jaylan Mitchell will all have a say in determining who is No. 1 next time around.
Those are the contenders. But let’s look at how they — and the other top players in each group — stack up, regardless of class, heading into the high school basketball season.
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 1 | SF | Uncommitted
Dybantsa has NBA positional size and talent, and is high school basketball’s best long-term prospect. He can finish, score, serve as a playmaker and he has a future as a switchable defender with rebounding and shot-blocking ability. He can also dominate games, produce in non-scoring areas and he understands when to defer and create for others. On pace to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA draft.
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 2 | PF | Uncommitted
Boozer is fundamentally sound, dedicated to his craft and a mature competitor. He excels on offense because he combines power and skill into his shooting touch, low-post game and footwork. Boozer’s gift for anticipation, strength and persistence also make him the best rebounder in the 2025 class. A high IQ allows Boozer to space the floor and throw the best outlet pass I’ve seen in decades. No one in the country has impacted winning at this level more. Will be a long-term college and NBA standout.
2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 3 | SG | Uncommitted
The Prolific Prep guard is an exceptional scorer. He has positional size, shooting touch, range, footwork and playmaking talent. It’s hard to keep him out of the lane. Peterson is a strong on-ball defender who can sit down and guard the ball with focus. He’s a force in transition, too, because he goes in straight lines until he needs to change direction. The top overall guard in high school basketball has a promising future in college and as an NBA lottery pick.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 1 | PF | Uncommitted
Stokes asserts himself using his physicality and skill. His ability to rebound, push the ball with speed, then decelerate into the offense is impressive. Finding more hunger defensively and challenging himself on all platforms is the next priority.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 4 | SF | Uncommitted
Ament exploded during the spring and summer periods. He’s a 42% 3-point shooter off both the catch and the dribble, according to Synergy Sports, but also accurate from the all-important mid-range. Still, Ament might be best at making contested shots. Adding more strength and playing with a lower base will help the potential NBA lottery pick absorb contact better.
Ament recently told ESPN, “I am looking at Duke, North Carolina, UConn, Virginia, Notre Dame, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas State, Louisville, Kansas, Georgetown, Texas, Tennessee and Michigan. I will make my decision late sometime in April. I want to make visits and watch the teams play.”
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 5 | PF | Uncommitted
Wilson had a great Peach Jam, displaying impressive versatility, quickness and skill. He’s productive both inside and out on both ends of the floor with a special mid-post and baseline isolation game. He’s a high-flying lob threat either in transition or as a screen-and-roll player, with major shot-blocking potential and switchability on defense. An exciting prospect, with a high upside and a good understanding of the game.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 6 | PF | Uncommitted
There aren’t many players built like Peat with similar production. He knows where he’s best: in the paint, on the glass and finishing at the rim. His mid-range jumper makes him an outside threat. Peat plays hard, rebounds and screens willingly. You want him on your team.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 7 | C | Uncommitted
Cenac Jr. has size — he’s 6-foot-10, 230 pounds — with an above-average face-up game, low post moves, mobility and coordination to drive the ball. In other words, he caught the attention of many college and NBA scouts this summer. Cenac Jr.’s next step? Getting his effort to match his potential to become the best version of himself.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 2 | PG | Uncommitted
McCoy has a great presence on both sides of the ball. He runs an impressive fast break given his speed, precision and understanding of when and how to direct the show. He’s also an advanced on-ball defender. McCoy is starting to use his voice more as a leader, too.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 3 | SF | Uncommitted
Holt impacts the game using his high-end athleticism and plays hard. He defends with purpose and is an explosive finisher. He can effectively shoot, pass or drive while remaining under control. Plus, it’s been good to see his perimeter game improve.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 4 | SG | Uncommitted
As each recruiting window passes, Arenas shows more improvement, including the mentality to score big. With the ball in his hands, the 6-6 guard gets to his spots with a controlled, low handle. He can elevate over defenders and utilize a very nice, quick pull-up jumper. His off-ball movement catches your attention, too.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 5 | PF | Uncommitted
A year ago, Muurinen showed flashes as a bouncy, skilled post player. Now it’s all coming together, with the rising junior having a fantastic summer at Peach Jam. The Finland native was coached by Hanno Mottola, who played for Rick Majerus and is in the University of Utah hall of fame. Muurinen should be highly productive this year and shows long-term potential as well.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 6 | SG | Uncommitted
Smith’s game has shades of Jrue Holiday’s, as a hard-nosed on-ball defender who plays with a special level of intensity. Offensively, he is developing nicely: as both a mid-range and slashing threat, with a great touch to finish through contact.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 7 | SF | Uncommitted
Particularly good in catch-and-shoot scenarios, Ariza scores from all three levels and is also an excellent slasher and finisher. He rebounds better than most think, and showed flashes of defense at USA Basketball’s minicamp in June.
2026 ESPN 60 Ranking: 8 | PG | Uncommitted
Crowe stood out in the gym against older, stronger competition in the offseason. Capable of nailing deep 3-pointers, the crafty left-handed scoring point guard can also change speeds and direction with his dribble. Crowe isn’t just a scorer, either. He’s a quick assist-maker and generates steals defensively.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 8 | PG | Arkansas commit
Acuff earned a gold medal and was named MVP with USA Basketball at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup. He’s starting to mature as a scoring point guard finding the balance between breaking things off and attacking while also running the offense and keeping others involved. Considered a threat because he makes tough shots.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 9 | PG | Uncommitted
Thomas has the talent to adeptly score at a moment’s notice. His long, thin frame allows him to shake and wiggle past defenders. He’s also a willing defender. Wired to score first, he nonetheless has the tools to set up others. Likes to rebound and start the break, too.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 10 | SF | Uncommitted
Haralson’s multi-positional ability makes him one of the more intriguing prospects in the senior class. He influences the game in different ways through his combination of length and IQ. Can both start plays and finish them.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 11 | SG | Uncommitted
Burries knows how to get buckets and make defenders look bad in the process. His strong, sturdy frame allows him to carry opponents on his hip to the basket. Defenses can’t speed him up or completely stop him because his jumper forces defenders to close out. And then, you’re at his mercy.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 12 | PG | Uncommitted
When it comes to pure skill and feel for the game, Brown is near the top of the list. His jumper has deep range, and he gets into the paint to use his floater with soft touch and timing. Brown has notable point guard vision, has developed his handle and can deliver passes with either hand. He has matured, and is ready to be a leader.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 13 | PG | Uncommitted
One of the best pure scorers in the country, Johnson blends electric shot-making, quick drives to the basket and creative finishes — all with a 6-8 wingspan. He won a gold medal and shot a team-best 42.3% (11-of-26) from 3-point range for USA Basketball’s U-18 team. All signs point toward a Kentucky commitment, but Alabama and North Carolina are making a strong push.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 14 | SG | Uncommitted
After a long layoff due to a knee injury, one of the top guards in the country is back to running, dunking, cutting and hooping. Harwell recently visited Houston, with Gonzaga, California and Texas also on his final list.
2025 ESPN 100 Ranking: 15 | PF | Syracuse commit
White is the most explosive vertical athlete in the senior class. He’s undoubtedly at his best sprinting the floor in transition, and is terrific catching lobs against man or zone — but is also an effective driver with long strides and quick finishes. White has a twitchy frame and can keep the ball in front, switch and contest shots. Could be a special defender.
2027 ESPN 25 Ranking: 1 | PF | Uncommitted
At just 15 years old, Oladotun has the most important skill in the game: Big-time shot-making ability. He’s a long, fluid wing with great early size and defensive length, and his footwork, shot mechanics and shot preparation are already aligned.
2027 ESPN 25 Ranking: 2 | PF | Uncommitted
Rosser is just scratching the surface. He already has nice inside touch, shooting ability and a budding IQ. Defensively, he utilizes his length and wingspan to block shots, deflect passes and shrink the floor. As his body develops and he gets more comfortable with physicality, watch out.