The 2029 recruiting class is absolutely stacked with talent and, while it’s still incredibly early, it’s clear there are a lot of future pros at the top of the early class rankings.
This list of the top 15 freshmen in high school basketball is a bullet point list, rather than having them ranked 1 through 15. At this point it’s just too early to know who the top guy is. We’ll have a better idea in a month or two, once the high school basketball season is well underway. And in a year or two once these guys have a chance to establish themselves at the high school level.
One thing you’ll notice about this list is it’s full of familiar names, some younger brothers of well know players and two sons of former NBA players. There are also a few international guys who have moved to the U.S. to play high school ball.
The soonest these players can enter the NBA Draft is 2030, so obviously there’s a ton of time for them to grow up and develop their games. And we know that many new prospects will move to the top of the rankings and take over these spots during the next four years. It’ll be interesting to look back in four years to see how many (if any) of these guys remain ranked in the top 15 by the time their high school career is finished. I’m sure there will be a few.
Top 10 Freshmen In High School Basketball
- Cayden Gaskins – PF – Florida – A smooth big forward with a chiseled frame and a lot of game. He’s the younger brother of Caleb, who is a high level prospect as well. Cayden has more size at the same stage and is a natural power forward who also flashes some nice perimeter skills. He can rebound the ball well, score inside and out and shows some handles and play-making as well.
- JJ Crawford – SG – Washington – Jamal’s son is a highly talented and flashy scorer who makes the game look easy. He’s grown to about 6-3 or 6-4 and will probably grow a bit more before he’s done. He’s a slick ball handler, has a lot of shimmy and shake and can get his shot whenever he wants. He’s a three level scorer with deep range on his jumper and is a constant threat to put the ball in the basket.
- Draydne McDaniels – SF – Broward, Florida – A powerfully built 6-7 wing who instantly passes the eye test. McDaniels is a force going to the basket, can finish through contact and is a nice above the rim player. He isn’t the most twitchy or nimble athlete and is more of a power player. He has some floor spacing ability but that’s not yet a strength of his game. At this point he’s at his best taking the ball hard to the basket and using his elite physical tools.
- Quali Giran – PG – California – A dynamic lead guard with solid athleticism and a very high skill level. Giran can score from three levels and is shifty with the ball in his hands, able to get to his spots at will. He’s not the biggest guard out there at about 6-feet+ tall but is one of the most skilled players in this 2029 class. At this early stage he reminds me a bit of a young Brandon Jennings.
- Josiah Brooks – PG/SG – Florida – Brooks is an explosive above the rim athlete and an absolute blur in the open court. He’s a showtime dunker and will put a lot of defenders on posters during his high school career. He’s got an unrefined game and will have to learn to harness his immense talent, become more of a play-maker and better decision maker on the court. His outside shot comes and goes but it’s early and he’s got time to develop his shooting touch.
- King Bacot – PG/SG – Virginia – Armando’s younger brother is a powerfully built guard who can impose his will on the game. He’s very skilled with the ball in his hands, can hit shots off the dribble and is a good playmaker as well. After coming up as more of a point guard he seems to be developing and growing into a 2 or a 3. At this point he’s about 6-3 or 6-4 and could continue to grow.
- Mamadou Issa Sow – PF/C – Arizona (Senegal) – A dominant force in the paint, Sow has elite physical tools and is on a really good trajectory as a prospect. He’s a power player who doesn’t try to get fancy but uses his awesome size and athleticism to make plays in the lane. He moves really well up and down the court and just looks the part of a future NBA big man.
- Flory Kuminga – SF – New York – Flory is a big wing who is powerful and athletic and is built in a similar mold as his older brother Jonathan. He’s a freight train in the open court and a nice above the rim finisher. While the physical tools are all there (or developing) his ball skills and shooting touch are still a work in progress. His game is raw but he’s got all the upside in the world.
- Chudier Diew Yak – C – Florida – Yak is an imposing physical presence with special tools to work with and a chance to be really, really good. He has good movement skills for a 6-9 player, especially at his age, with good bounce, solid agility and overall quickness. He has natural shot blocking instincts and good feel on the defensive end. His offensive game is raw but he does show flashes of finesse and is more than just a dunker. Another high upside but raw talent who will be really fun to watch develop.
- Isaiah Rider IV – PG/SG – Arizona – Son of the legend, the young Rider is an extremely skilled guard with great handles, court vision, feel for the game and natural scoring ability. He’s got a strong frame and really good quickness. If he grows another two or three inches it’ll take his upside to a whole new level.
- David Johnson – SF/PF – New York – A lanky and mobile big forward who is just growing into his frame and getting his legs under him but has a lot of upside due to his size, length and athleticism. At 6-8 and almost certainly still growing Johnson has a chance to become a big time combo forward as his frame and his game continue to develop. He’s a fluid mover in the open court and is an athlete, not just a tall dude. Adding strength and continuing to fill out his frame will be priorities over the course of his high school career.
- Grant Duggins – PF/C – North Carolina – A highly skilled big man with a solid 6-9+ frame and a lot of offensive talent. Can score inside and out and has a really good looking shot. A major talent who is both powerful and smooth with the ball in his hands.
- Wekem Agamba – C – Florida (Ghana) – A well built PF/C with broad shoulders, good strength and a very solid all around game. Sets good screens, scores in the lane and rebounds the ball at a high level. Does all the big man things well.
- Jayden Davis – SF – Ohio – An athletic wing who plays a high-energy and aggressive game. Excels at taking it to the rim and can finish with finesse and power.
- William Phillips – SF – California – A long and wiry wing who can handle in the open court, hit the 3-ball and has all the tools to be a standout defender.
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And now, back to the present (2026 NBA Mock Draft)