(PHOTO: USA basketball)
As the vacation season approaches, highschool basketball takes middle stage in highschool sports activities. Following a busy low season, as a number of top-10 gamers throughout numerous courses transferred colleges, this yr’s basketball panorama will look fairly totally different. With a number of groups already in motion, the talk for the nation’s #1 participant is heating up.
AJ Dybantsa has established himself because the standout prospect/participant in highschool basketball, holding the title of the #1 participant within the Class of 2025 and the #1 general participant, no matter class. Nonetheless, he faces competitors from Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer, who’re shut behind him within the 2025 class. Moreover, Tyran Stokes, the highest participant within the Class of 2026 and a former teammate of Dybansta, is poised to problem for the highest spot. Sophomore Babatunde Oladotun, is an intriguing long run prospect, garnering consideration for this record, however nonetheless has a protracted methods to go within the depth and consistency departments.
1. AJ Dybantsa 6’9 200 SF Uncommitted HSSr.
Standing 6 toes 9 inches tall, Dybantsa has all of the qualities of an future NBA franchise participant. He possesses a wingspan of practically 7 toes and a standing attain of just below 9 toes. An explosive athlete able to making dynamic performs, Dybantsa showcases a fluid offensive ability set that positions him as a shot creator and an elite three-level scorer. He combines a uncommon mixture of ability, measurement, athleticism and dedication. He can end effectively across the rim and has a high-release jumper, permitting him to create and knock down pictures persistently. Dybantsa’s defensive instincts and spectacular wingspan make him a flexible participant able to defending a number of positions on the court docket. With the aforementioned attributes giving him shades of Tracy McGrady, Dybantsa has the potential to be an NBA franchise degree participant and is the clear frontrunner to be the number-one choose within the 2026 draft class.
2. Darryn Peterson 6’6 195 PG/SG Kansas HSSr.
Darryn Peterson is the very best guard within the nation, and after the switch to Prolific Prep in Napa for his senior season, Peterson will sq. off with the very best groups and gamers within the nation nightly. His measurement and scoring capacity separate him from the remainder of the guards in highschool, as he is without doubt one of the greatest scorers at the highschool degree. With a fast first step that enables him to drive successfully to the basket, Peterson’s agility enhances his scoring capacity, making him one of many premier guards within the nation. Peterson has nice measurement, a clean jumper and sneaky athletic capacity, which permits him to attain in any respect three ranges. With the assistance of his distinctive measurement, Peterson can affect video games defensively, permitting him to get out in transition the place he’s at his greatest. Peterson is the highest guard in highschool, with a standout profession in school and the NBA forward of him.
3. Tyran Stokes 6’7 230 PF Uncommitted HSJr.
Tyran Stokes is the highest participant within the class of 2026, distinguished by his measurement and intangible qualities. Standing 6’7” and weighing 230 kilos, Stokes is an explosive downhill athlete. He can simply drive to the basket and has devoted time to enhancing his bounce shot, extending his vary past the three-point line. Stokes performs with super power on each side of the ball, which enhances his athleticism. His bodily attributes are spectacular, and he’s recognized for being a relentless competitor. Along with his potential, Stokes might be the #1 choose within the 2027 draft and represents a prototypical long-term NBA participant.
4. Cameron Boozer, 6’9 235 PF Duke HSSr.
Cameron Boozer is a powerful athlete who has excelled at the highschool degree. He has succeeded all through his profession, profitable three Peach Jam titles, three state titles, and a number of gold medals as he heads into his senior yr. Boozer is a well-developed participant who combines physicality and energy on offense. He has an distinctive capacity to attain across the basket and has expanded his taking pictures vary to incorporate three-point pictures over the previous few years. Whereas he has a strong bodily basis, Boozer should proceed growing his athleticism and consistency from past the arc after taking pictures 36 p.c within the EYBL final summer time. He possesses a excessive basketball IQ and may make passes with each fingers. Defensively, Boozer successfully makes use of his measurement and energy towards bigger opponents and depends on his instincts and size when dealing with smaller guards. By turning into a constant long-range shooter and rising his general athleticism, Boozer has the potential to change into a profitable long-term participant within the NBA.
5. Nate Ament 6’9 215 SF Uncommitted HSSr.
Nate Ament has emerged as one of many high basketball gamers within the nation over the previous few years. Standing at 6’9″ with a 6’11″ wingspan, he can successfully guard a number of positions. One in every of Ament’s biggest strengths is his taking pictures capacity; he has persistently remodeled 42 p.c of his three-point makes an attempt lately. Moreover, he can effortlessly rating within the mid-range with pictures off the dribble, even when contested by defenders. To reinforce his recreation additional, including weight and spending extra time within the weight room might play a vital function in his growth. Elevated energy and measurement would enhance his defensive capabilities and make him a well-rounded participant.
6. Brandon McCoy 6’4 170 PG Uncommitted HSJr.
Brandon McCoy is the top-ranked level guard within the class of 2026, and he has earned that distinction. McCoy successfully makes use of his pace and athleticism to excel in transition and attain his scoring spots. His capacity to make the proper play persistently units him other than many different guards within the nation, alongside together with his scoring prowess. Moreover, McCoy is a tenacious defender who’s unafraid to use strain on the ball. With some added weight to his present 180-pound body, he’s poised for a vibrant future. If he maintains his consistency, McCoy will probably be one of many high level guards within the 2027 draft.
7. Caleb Wilson 6’10 205 PF Uncommitted HSSr.
Caleb Wilson is an elite-level prospect standing 6’9″ with a wingspan of over 7 toes. He performs to his strengths, demonstrating versatility and quickness which are spectacular for a participant of his measurement. This summer time, his transfer to the Nightrydas alongside the Boozer twins showcased Wilson’s ability set. Whether or not in transition, taking part in above the rim, or working together with his again to the basket, Wilson possesses the ability and contact to attain in numerous methods. He has the size and measurement to play as an influence ahead, but his ability and quickness allow him to match up towards small forwards successfully. Wilson is a extremely motivated and expert participant who can affect the sport on each ends. Including a constant three-point shot and rising his measurement might additional elevate his dynamic recreation.
8. Chris Cenac Jr., 6’10, 230 C Uncommitted HSSr.
Chris Cenac Jr. is without doubt one of the greatest inventory risers within the nation this yr after exploding up the rankings following a powerful spring and a summer time with USA Basketball, which noticed him win a gold medal. Following the latest success, Cenac Jr. transferred to Hyperlink Academy, the place he’ll match up with the highest gamers within the nation on a nightly foundation. Cenac Jr. is the top-rated middle within the class of 2025 and makes use of his quickness and measurement to succeed across the basket. Cenac Jr. can function underneath the rim and away from the basket with a strong face-up recreation, a fast first step, and strong mobility. Along with his measurement and abilities, Cenac Jr. is probably the primary true middle off the board in 2026.
9. Caleb Holt 6’5 205 CG Uncommitted HSJr.
Caleb Holt is an elite-level two-way guard ranked extremely within the class of 2026. Holt makes use of a burly body with pace to get downhill and end within the paint at will. A strong playmaker with the flexibility to move and shoot off the dribble, Holt might flip right into a two-way guard sooner or later. Holt is greatest in transition or the mid-range, the place he can end in site visitors. To associate with elite-level scoring capacity, Holt is a keen defender, quick sufficient to maintain up with guards and powerful sufficient to battle bigs down across the basket. With the fixed enchancment of a three-point shot, Holt is on tempo be one of many high gamers off the board in 2027.
10. Koa Peat 6’8 205 SF Uncommitted HSSr.
Koa Peat has been a winner all through highschool, with a number of state titles and success with USA basketball. Peat is a low-post bruiser who has made a dwelling in highschool basketball, down beneath the basket. Peat has super bodily attributes however is undersized for the facility ahead place. Peat can deal with the ball effectively sufficient within the face-up or together with his again to the basket to create for himself and get to his spots on the ground. His willingness to do the work by crashing the glass and his capacity to make profitable performs make him an intriguing prospect. Peat does must undertake a constant long-range shot and work on his athleticism sooner or later, however he nonetheless has the instruments and intangibles to make an affect on the subsequent degree.
