A.J. Dybantsa and 24 of the other finest players throughout

• Paul Biancardi, Basketball RecruitingSep 5, 2024, 03:09 PM ET

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  • National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com
  • 18 years of coaching experience at Department I level
  • Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State

A hectic summer season of basketball concluded with upgraded ESPN player rankings for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 young boys’ recruiting classes– which, inevitably, leads to a series of fun questions: Who are the very best high school players in the country? Who are the best long-term potential customers? Who produces the most?Looking at the

top of each class is a great start to discovering those answers. Getting in the fall, all three classes have engaging arguments for the leading 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 area once the high school season starts, with Nate Ament and Caleb Wilson completing the top five.Tyran Stokes is too physically enforcing, naturally talented and productive to relinquish pole position in the 2026 class; still, keep an eye on Brandon McCoy, whose two-way capability and leadership as a big point guard make him a genuine 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 much more competitive.The 2027 group will have the most movement since they are so young and have a lot time to establish.

Babatunde Oladotun has so much guarantee and athletic ability. He remains on top in the meantime, 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 take a look at how they– and the other leading players in each group– stack up, despite class, heading into the high school basketball season. 2025 ESPN 100 ranking: 1|SF|Uncommitted