Some years making this list is a fairly easy exercise. This year was really tough. For starters, there is no clear top guy. I thought about putting about five different players in the top spot, but none of them really stand out as true superstar prospects.
This is a list projecting these guys as NBA prospects, which isn’t always the same thing as a list of the best high school players right now. Size, athletic tools and room to grow matter a lot here. So does skill. The fun part is figuring out which of these guys will put it all together over the coming years.
Without further preamble, here’s the list:
The Elite 25 — Fall 2026
1) C.J. Rosser — PF — Rocky Mount, NC — C’2027 — I’m a big fan of Rosser and have him at or right near the top of his class, but he lands in this top spot on the Elite 25 list partly by default, as there isn’t any clear superstar prospect in high school basketball. Rosser has special tools, and if he continues to put it all together, I think he can be a one-and-done high lottery pick. He’s got good shooting touch for his size and a very project-able jumper. He also moves really well for a 6-9/6-10 player. I’m fascinated to see how he develops over the coming two years leading up to the 2028 NBA Draft.
2) Beckham Black — PG — Duncanville, TX — C’2027 — Black is probably the most skilled and highest feel player in all of high school basketball. He sees plays developing before most guards would even recognize the opening and has a real command of the game. He’s a gamer and a winner who makes play after play on the court. He doesn’t have the great size of his older brother Anthony, which makes his NBA projection a little tougher, but his high feel and point guard instincts are special.
3) Demarcus Henry — SF — Chandler, AZ — C’2027 — A big-bodied forward who is a load to handle going to the cup and is becoming a lethal shooter from outside. He’s been a major riser over the past year and is in the running to be the top recruit in the 2027 class. He’s a strong and fluid player with nice NBA tools, although he’s not a true high riser or the most twitchy athlete. His ability to rise up and knockdown jumpers is becoming a major selling point for Henry.
4) Yann Kamagate — C — La Cañada Flintridge, CA (Burkina Faso) — C’2028 — Kamagate has burst onto the national scene over the past 12 to 18 months and has skyrocketed up the rankings. He’s a silly athlete for a 7-footer, with quick-twitch muscles and great coordination. The upside is obvious. Now it’s about developing the skill and consistency to match those physical gifts. Kamagate does show the makings of an outside shot and some ball-handling ability, making him much more than just a rim-running big.
5) Colton Hiller — SG — Coatesville, PA — C’2028 — Hiller is just a natural offensive talent who is smooth, strong and talented. He’s got a big frame, can handle contact, assert his will and get buckets whenever he wants. He reminds me a bit of a mix of Kon and Cooper, which is very high praise. Hiller has incredible touch on his jumper and can splash in 3-pointers from all angles. He’s got a few more years in high school but already has a NBA frame, making him a load to handle for high school defenders.
6) Asa Montgomery — SF — Powder Springs, GA – C’2027 — An absolutely massive riser over the past six months, Asa is looking like an elite wing prospect with really good NBA-level tools. He’s a wiry 6-7 athlete and a great off-ball player who excels at finding space in the defense and getting open for easy buckets. He’s good above the rim and has all the size and bounce you want to see in an NBA wing. Developing his on ball creation abilities will be key to taking his game to the next level.
7) Lewis Uvwo — C — Fort Lauderdale, FL — C’2028 — An unbelievable athlete at the center position, Uvwo has been flying up the rankings thanks to his elite physical traits and awesome upside. He gets above the rim effortlessly and has a body that seems like it was made in a lab. He’s not super refined with his ball skills, but he flashes plenty of potential and is much more than just a great athlete. His size, length and timing make him a terrifying rim protector and awesome above the rim player on offense. Get ready for him to become a major national name.
8) Adan Diggs — SG — Gilbert, AZ — C’2027 — An electric scoring guard who fits the mold of a Jamal Murray type of player. He’s smooth with the ball, comfortable creating his own looks and can get buckets in bunches. There are bigger guards on this list, but few who make scoring look as natural as Diggs does.
9) JJ Crawford — SG — Seattle, WA — C’2029 — An incredibly skilled scorer, like his old man, JJ is an elite talent with all the tools and intangibles to be a great NBA player. He’s a scoring fiend who can light it up from outside and use his handles and quickness to get into the lane. He’s a wiry 6-4-ish player at this stage and will likely continue to grow. It’s hard to overstate just how special his shot-making and overall scoring package is.
10) Josiah Rose — PG — Dallas, TX — C’2028 — A compact, strong and powerful 6-4 point guard who is really coming on strong as a prospect. Rose has the frame and mentality to put pressure on a defense and the size to hold up against bigger guards. I’ll be watching how much his decision-making and outside shot develop, because the physical foundation is already there.
11) Bamba Touray — C — Bradenton, FL (Senegal) — C’2028 — Touray is a tough projection. He’s an awesome athlete for a 7-footer and appears to have a ton of upside, but he also has a long way to go filling out his frame and developing his ball skills. There’s no denying the natural talent. If he can harness it, he’s got a chance to be a one and done lottery pick.
12) Benjamin Berrouet — PF — McKinney, TX — C’2028 — A tough, physical and nimble big man with a very high skill level. Berrouet has been a big riser over the past year and is looking like one of the elite talents in the 2028 recruiting class. He brings a lot more to the table than size and strength, and that blend of skill and physicality gives him a very high ceiling.
13) A.J. Williams — SF — Hampton, GA — C’2027 — After re-classing to the 2027 class, Williams is on a fast track to the league and looks the part of a lottery pick. He’s a complete wing who might not blow you away with any one aspect of his game but competes hard on both ends and impacts every possession. He’s a guy who can take over when needed but is also good at fitting into an offense and playing alongside other great players, which is an underrated skill at the NBA level.
14) Isaiah Hamilton — SG/SF — Toronto, Canada — C’2028 — Hamilton is a wiry 6-7 wing who brings energy, aggression and some real showtime ability around the rim. He’s a big-time finisher with body control and the confidence to let it fly from outside. There’s some shot creation in his game too. If the jumper and handle keep coming along, he could move a lot higher on this list.
15) Draydne McDaniel — SF — Boca Raton, FL – C’2029 — An impressive athlete on the wing with broad shoulders, good open-court speed and nice above-the-rim ability. McDaniel has the physical profile that makes you pay attention immediately. His ceiling will depend on how far he takes the skill side of his game, but the tools are hard to ignore.
16) RJ Evans — SG/SF — Tampa, FL — C’2029 — A wiry, high-flying wing from NBA bloodlines who is already making a name for himself. Evans is still early in his development, which makes this a projection as much as a ranking of what he can do today. The athletic ability and wing tools give him a lot of room to grow.
17) Eric Dampier Jr. — C — Madison, MS — C’2028 — The son of the former NBA center has great size, good mobility and a developing skill set. He’s more than a familiar name or a big body. Dampier moves well for his size and has the kind of foundation that could make him a very interesting center prospect as his game matures. Don’t expect him to be a floor-spacing modern big but rather more of a throw-back player who lives in the paint and loves to throw his weight around.
18) NaVorro Bowman Jr. — PG/SG — Sherman Oaks, CA (UConn) — C’2027 — Bowman is a quick, explosive guard who puts pressure on the defense from the moment he gets the ball. He can change ends in a flash, gets into the lane and brings that same activity to the defensive end. He plays with an edge, and his ability to impact both ends helps him stand out in a crowded group of guards.
19) Evan Willis — SF — Santa Monica, CA — C’2028 — Willis is loaded with upside and has the type of tools NBA teams love to develop. He’s got the size and athletic profile to be a very good two-way wing. There’s still work to do before the production catches up with the potential, but that’s exactly why he’s such an intriguing long-term prospect.
20) Paul Osaruyi — PF — Glendale, AZ — C’2027 — Osaruyi has NBA size and athleticism at the forward position and a nice mix of power and finesse. He gets off the floor well, plays with force and has the makings of a pro game. There’s a lot of development ahead of him, but I like the physical tools and the upside.
21) Cayden Daughtry — PG — Fort Lauderdale, FL — C’2027 — Daughtry is an elite talent and one of the best players in all of high school basketball. When it comes to being an NBA prospect, things are less clear. There’s a short list of sub-6-foot guards who have made it in the league, and his lack of size will be a major obstacle to overcome. I expect him to be a sensational college player who earns a ton of money at that level. I’m less certain about his NBA prospects.
22) Bentley Lusakueno — PF — Atlanta, GA — C’2028 — Lusakueno is a fluid, athletic big forward who runs the floor, gets above the rim and has soft hands around the basket. His frame has plenty of room to add strength, which should help him on the glass and defending bigger players. He’s already more skilled than a lot of young forwards with his physical gifts, and there’s a lot of upside left to tap into.
23) David Johnson — SF — Mouth of Wilson, VA — C’2029 — A big wing with excellent long-term upside. Johnson is a fluid athlete who can put the ball on the floor, attack a defender and space the court. He also rebounds well for a wing. He’s young enough that the final version of his game is still a long way off, but the combination of size, movement and ball skills is very appealing.
24) Nasir (Rudy) Anderson — PG — Norcross, GA — C’2027 — Anderson is a strong, compact and athletic combo guard with big-time talent. He has the size to play through contact and the ability to make things happen with the ball in his hands. He’s one of those guards who can look like the best player on the floor when he gets rolling. I want to see him continue to sharpen his point guard game, but the talent is undeniable.
25) Reese Alston — PG — Houston, TX — C’2027 — Alston is a natural scorer at the lead guard position who uses his burst and change of pace to get into the lane. He can create his own shot but also has the vision to find teammates when the defense collapses. Adding strength will be important as he moves up levels. The offensive instincts are already impressive.
Honorable Mention
- King Gibson — SG — Geneva, OH — C’2027
- Kager Knueppel — SF — Milwaukee, WI — C’2027
- Dylan Betts — C — Bradenton, FL — C’2028
- Jordan Page — SG — Raleigh, NC — C’2027
- Josh Leonard — SF — Florence, SC — C’2027
- Peter Julius — C — Atlanta, GA — C’2028
- Shalen Sheppard — PF — Santa Monica, CA — C’2028
- Ryan Hampton — SG — Rockwall, TX — C’2027
- Cayden Gaskins – SF/PF – Miami, FL – C’2029
There’s a lot of talent here, even without an obvious No. 1 prospect. The order will change as these players grow, take on bigger roles and show more of their games. For now, Rosser gets the top spot, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a few other names make a strong case for it over the course of this coming season.
A Note On The High School Freshman Class
There is a lot of talent in the incoming high school freshmen class but until I see them play some high school games I’ll leave them off this list. David Moudouyi is one name to watch closely over the coming years!
As always, thanks so much for reading my work! Hope you enjoyed.
See where these Elite 25 prospects rank in the: