Paul Biancardi
Multiple Authors
The class of 2026 prospects initially looked a little weak, especially compared with the 2024 and 2025 star-studded classes — Cooper Flagg, AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer et al. But this year’s crop of high school seniors eventually developed into a strong group, aided by a couple of timely reclassifications from Bruce Branch III and Babatunde Oladotun.
Now comes the natural question: How does this class stack up against the group just ahead of it?
To find out, we built a position-by-position comparison between the top players in the 2026 and 2025 recruiting classes, weighing high school track record, long-term projection — and, in the case of the 2025 class, early college returns.
The result: Although the 2026 class offers plenty of upside, the 2025 group holds the edge for now, buoyed by both proven production and top-end talent already translating at the next level. That said, there is one 2026 prospect who wins out.
Player rankings:
Final 2026 SC Next 100 | 2027 SC Next 60 | 2028 SC Next 25
2026: Jason Crowe (Missouri)
Crowe is California’s all-time leading high school scorer, with 4,718 career points. He also broke Jayson Tatum’s Hoophall single-game record with 48 points this winter. Safe to say, he’s an elite scorer with an exceptional knack for getting his shot off from anywhere at any time. His next challenge? Learning to blend his scoring-oriented game with a team structure at Missouri. Dennis Gates will entrust him with the ball, and the team, from day one.
2025: Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas)
A Detroit native, Acuff flashed the ability to take over games while at IMG Academy in Florida and was a high-volume scoring machine on the Nike EYBL circuit. He could beat defenders off the dribble and with his jumper and flashed playmaking ability. He evolved into a more complete guard under John Calipari last season, answering questions about his shot selection, maturity and willingness to trust his teammates. He earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 23.5 points and 6.4 assists, leading the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16, and played his way into the top half of NBA draft projections.
Edge: Acuff
Both Crowe and Acuff are acclaimed scoring point guards and elite shotmakers with enough vision to make the assist. But Acuff has already translated his game at the college level with elite production and efficiency (shooting 48% overall, 44% on 3s and 80% on free throws) while handling primary playmaking responsibilities.
2026: Jordan Smith (Arkansas)
Few high schoolers can rival Smith’s track record of winning across high school, the summer circuit and USA Basketball play. He projects as an immediate defensive contributor for Calipari, with an evolving offensive game centered around physicality at the point of attack and impressive rebounding for his position. Offensively, Smith’s attacking mindset helps him draw fouls and finish through contact, and his perimeter jump shot should only keep getting better in college. His two-way tenacity is hard to beat.
2025: Darryn Peterson (Kansas)
Peterson was unstoppable against elite competition as a high schooler at Prolific Prep (California). His scoring carried over to Kansas, where he averaged 20.2 points and turned in some high-end individual performances, including 32 points at home against TCU and 28 against California Baptist in the NCAA tournament. When he was available to play, Peterson was both impactful and efficient. His size, shooting range, handle and high-level free throw shooting will make him one of the top picks in the NBA draft.
Edge: Peterson
At 6-foot-6, Peterson’s positional size is tough to beat. So is his combination of shooting, scoring and flawless execution on ball screen actions — which he does with extreme confidence.
2026: Tyran Stokes (Kansas)
Stokes loves to facilitate, and his passing is the best part of his game. His size, strength and force allow him to pile up gaudy free throw totals — and he makes them at a 75% clip. He’s a capable 3-point shooter and has an impressive basketball IQ. Add it all up, and it suggests an extremely bright future in college and beyond. And, if all goes according to plan, he’ll be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA draft.
2025: AJ Dybantsa (BYU)
Dybantsa is the ideal small forward. He’s explosive and covers tons of ground with long strides. He excels at creating his own shot with the ball in his hands or using ball screens to free himself for shots. But the versatile Dybantsa also enjoys making plays for others. He led the nation in scoring last season (25.3 points per game) and averaged 29.8 points over his last five college outings. He also chipped in nearly seven rebounds per game while shooting 51% overall. He has earned the No. 1 spot in the upcoming draft.
Edge: Dybantsa
This one was close. Stokes and Dybantsa were once high school and travel circuit teammates. Both were No. 1 in their respective recruiting classes. But Dybantsa is the projected No. 1 pick in one of the best drafts in recent memory, so he wins out.
2026: Cameron Williams (Duke)
Williams has the tools that NBA teams covet in big men. He can knock down 3-pointers, and at 6-11 with a 7-2 wingspan can lure opposing bigs away from the basket. Defensively, he’s a shot-blocking rim protector. His power and finishing ability will only get better as he adds strength and learns to play lower in his stance. He will play a key role for Duke and, given time to develop, could blossom into a lottery draft pick.
2025: Cameron Boozer (Duke)
Boozer is one of the most accomplished high school players. He won both the Gatorade National Player of the Year and the AP’s National Player of the Year, then carried that momentum into his freshman season at Duke, where he made his presence, production and potential felt in nearly every game. He has a great blend of multilevel scoring, playmaking and rebounding, and his processing ability to make split-second decisions benefits him on both ends of the floor. His play style is conducive to winning and will make him a high lottery pick and great long-term NBA player.
Edge: Boozer
Along with his physical makeup, accomplishments and talent, Boozer is exceptional in two important traits that separate him from Williams and his peers: competitiveness, and coachability.
2026: Toni Bryant (Missouri)
Bryant ended his high school career on a high note, improving as a catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter and performing well throughout the McDonald’s All American week. Overall, he’s a force in the paint and a dominant shot blocker and rebounder. Bryant’s defensive impact graded out at elite levels, and offensively he averaged 22.6 points and converted 62% of his shots, according to Cerebro Sports. He has a promising future at Missouri and beyond.
2025: Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston)
Cenac was an outstanding vertical threat and rebounder in high school. He often overwhelmed opponents with superior athleticism, speed, explosiveness and mobility. The 6-11, 240-pounder was integral to Houston’s success inside the arc, averaging 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds on 48% shooting. He also showed he was capable of stretching out to the 3-point line, where he made 30 triples (33.3%) on the season. Cenac will be a first-round draft pick.
Edge: Bryant
The 6-9 Bryant has length, size and blossoming tools to become an immediate factor at Missouri as a rim runner, finisher and defensive anchor. He projects as a center in the NBA, and when his face-up game develops more consistency, his production will take a step forward.
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