Top 10 High School Recruiting Classes Heading into 2025-26

By Sam Kayser 

As the 24-25 college basketball season heads into March, programs across the nation have been finalizing their recruiting classes, aiming to bolster their rosters for future seasons. Recruiting rankings vary among the major scouting services, but we took a deep dive into who has the most impactful players coming to town:

1. Duke Blue Devils

-Five-star Cameron Boozer (#3 in the ESPN100)

-Five-star Cayden Boozer (#16 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Nikolas Khamenia (#21 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Shelton Henderson (#33 in the ESPN100)

Duke, as is quite often the case, will come away with the top recruiting class in the country heading into the 25-26 season. Five-star prospects Cameron and Cayden Boozer out of Miami, FL, have both had fantastic senior years, leading their Columbus team through the Florida state playoffs and likely, a Chipotle Nationals berth. Nikolas Khamenia has continued to grow on both ends of the floor this season for Harvard Westlake and Shelton Henderson is one of toughest, best two-way players in high school basketball. Expect all four players to hit the ground running for Duke and Jon Scheyer next season.

The Blue Devils are still in the running for top available senior Nate Ament as well, a five-star prospect out of Highland School in Virginia.  

2. Houston Cougars

-Five-star Chris Cenac (#6 in the ESPN100)

-Five-star Isiah Harwell (#13 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Kingston Flemings (#20 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Bryce Jackson (ESPN four-star)

While Duke came away with the top spot on this list, what Kelvin Sampson and his staff have done on the recruiting trail cannot be ignored. Five-star McDonald’s All-Americans Isiah Harwell and Chris Cenac both highlight the list, as both players have had fantastic seasons in the EYBL Scholastic. Four-star Kingston Flemings is as close to a five-star prospect as you can get and has led Brennan (TX) to #15 in SCNext’s latest High School Basketball team rankings. Bryce Jackson, one of the top players in Texas, has been outstanding this season for Shadow Mountain, leading them to a 32-2 overall record. Kelvin Sampson and Houston continue to solidify themselves as one of the top college basketball programs in the sport.

3. UConn Huskies

-Five-star Braylon Mullins (#16 in the ESPN100)

-Five-star Eric Reibe (#22 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Darius Adams (#27 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Jacob Furphy (ESPN four-star)

Even though this year’s team hasn’t quite played up to expectations, there will still be significant talent making their way to Storrs for the 25-26 season. Dan Hurley and the Huskies have assembled a top tier class, including two McDonald’s All-Americans in the backcourt and one in the frontcourt. Darius Adams has continued his emergence as one of the top three-level scorers in the class, while Braylon Mullins may be the best natural shooter in the country. Four-star big man Eric Reibe will certainly make an impact in the paint on both ends in year one, while four-star international recruit Jacob Furphy was simply the cherry on top for the Huskies.

4. Kentucky Wildcats

-Five-star Jasper Johnson (#17 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Malachi Moreno (#23 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Acaden Lewis (#25 in ESPN100)

One of the biggest rivalries on the court this season in college basketball was Kentucky/Arkansas and it was close to the same on the recruiting trail. It’s hard to give an edge between the Hogs and the Cats at this moment, but right now, I’m going with UK. Landing three Top 25 players in the class is nothing to gawk at. Jasper Johnson fits perfectly in Mark Pope’s run-and-gun style offense. Acaden Lewis is a star in the making with the way he can run a team, handle the ball and score it from all levels. Malachi Moreno will be a much-needed paint presence right away for Kentucky, as he stays in his home-state to play college ball. There’s a lot to like with this Kentucky class; a class that could be even better if they can land Nate Ament.

5. Arkansas Razorbacks

-Five-star Darius Acuff Jr. (#5 in the ESPN100)

-Five-star Meleek Thomas (#10 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Isaiah Sealy (ESPN four-star)

There’s not a better backcourt heading to college next year than what John Calipari has recruited out of the ’25 class. Five-star PG Darius Acuff Jr. has proven himself to be one of the top-two guards in the country throughout this high school season, leading the EYBL Scholastic league in scoring at 25.2PPG, nearly 10PPG more than the next closest player. Meleek Thomas has had a fantastic senior season, as well, finishing third in OTE in scoring at 27PPG. Isaiah Sealy, one of the highest rated prospects in the state of Arkansas, will provide some much-needed depth to the Razorbacks roster. One question still looms, though: What will happen with Nate Ament, who visits the school on March 8th?

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

-Four-star Jalen Haralson (#19 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Ryder Frost (#80 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Brady Koehler (#93 in the ESPN100)

-Three-star Tommy Ahneman (ESPN three-star recruit)

While the 24-25 season hasn’t quite gone as planned for Micah Shrewsberry and Co., reinforcements are on the way this summer. Long-time five-star recruit Jalen Haralson highlights the class, as he will stay in his home-state of Indiana to play his college ball. Four-star Ryder Frost is one of the best shooters in the class, while four-star Brady Koehler’s versatile skillset will do wonders for Notre Dame next season. Don’t forget about 2025 big man Tommy Ahneman out of Minnesota, who is a menace in the paint on the offensive end. Despite the poor season this year for the Fighting Irish, there’s a ton to look forward to in the not-so-distant future.

7. SMU Mustangs

-Four-star Jaden Toombs (#37 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Nigel Walls (#68 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star BJ Davis-Ray (#72 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Jermaine O’Neal Jr. (#100 in the ESPN100)

There’s an argument to be made that SMU could be a bit higher on this list with the amount of talent they have coming in next season. Andy Enfield and staff have done an outstanding job in Year 1, compiling a high-level class with a ton of added depth. Jaden Toombs and Jermaine O’Neal Jr. are playing together this season at Dynamic Prep, who’s ranked as the #13 team in SCNext’s latest poll and is currently vying for a spot at Chipotle Nationals in April. BJ Davis Ray is as versatile a prospect as you’ll find in the ’25 class and Nigel Walls will bring some mobility and shot-blocking to the Mustangs frontcourt. A fantastic first recruiting class for Coach Enfield and staff.

8. North Carolina Tar Heels

-Five-star Caleb Wilson (#7 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Derek Dixon (#52 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Isaiah Denis (#78 in the ESPN100)

North Carolina and Hubert Davis needed a marquee addition on the recruiting trail after having a less-than-stellar season, so far, in 24-25. That’s exactly what they received in five-star forward Caleb Wilson, who committed to the Tar Heels back in late January. Wilson is a do-it-all forward who will impact the team right away next season in Chapel Hill. Derek Dixon, a four-star prospect out of Gonzaga HS (DC), and Isaiah Denis, a four-star guard from the state of North Carolina, are two high-level players who will be key pieces for the Tar Heels for years to come. A very impressive recruiting haul for North Carolina.

9. Alabama Crimson Tide

-Four-star Davion Hannah (#46 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star London Jemison (#48 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Amari Allen (ESPN four-star recruit)

Alabama has brought in a highly regarded recruiting class in 2025 after what’s been an extremely successful season on the court in the SEC. Davion Hannah, a four-star prospect out of Link Academy (MO), has been a key cog for the Lions this season and is one of the top two-way guards in the country. London Jemison is an athletic, 6-foot-8 forward with high-level versatility on both ends, while Amari Allen can flat-out score the rock. All in all, this trio has propelled the Tide to a Top-10 recruiting class ranking, securing high-level, versatile players who will impact the game right away.

10. BYU Cougars

-Five-star AJ Dybantsa (#1 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Xavion Staton (#35 in the ESPN100)

-Four-star Chamberlain Burgess (ESPN four-star recruit)

BYU’s 2025 recruiting class is headlined by the #1 prospect in the country, AJ Dybantsa, who committed to the Cougars back in early December. Dybantsa has continued to shine during the 24-25 high school season, showcasing why he will likely be the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His high school teammate and fellow BYU commit, Xavion Staton, who joined Utah Prep in early January, is one of the best paint defenders in high school basketball and will impact a ton of shots next season for the Cougars. Chamberlain Burgess, a four-star prospect out of Orem High School in Utah, will also be a quality addition for BYU in the coming seasons.

Give Sam Kayser a follow on X @247HSHoops and come join him on the Locker Room Access SMU forum for all the latest recruiting updates.