Introduction

The 2025 NBA draft highlighted the dominance of college freshmen, with 10 of the 14 lottery picks once ranked in ESPN's top 100. This trend is expected to continue as the league values star talent with upside and role players with strong production records. The high school class of 2026 is already showing signs of elite talent, with players across the country displaying skill sets reminiscent of current NBA stars.

Top 2026 Recruits

1. Tyran Stokes, SF

• School: Notre Dame High School (CA)
• NBA Comparison: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
• Analysis: Stokes is a physically imposing player at 6-7, 220 pounds, combining force and finesse. He excels as a downhill attacker, using his strength to finish through contact and generate fouls. His playmaking ability and 3-point shooting make him a versatile forward.

2. Christian Collins, PF

• School: St. John Bosco High School (CA)
• NBA Comparison: Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
• Analysis: Collins has a tantalizing combination of size, length, and mobility. At 6-8 with a 7-2 wingspan, he has natural bounce and is comfortable handling the ball in transition. His defensive anticipation and physical ability allow him to play an inside-out game.

3. Jordan Smith, SG

• School: Paul VI High School (VA)
• NBA Comparison: Marcus Smart, Washington Wizards
• Analysis: Smith is the best rebounding guard in recent EYBL history, averaging 12 boards per 40 minutes. He is an efficient scorer and a tough, defense-minded player with ball skills.

4. Jason Crowe, PG

• School: Inglewood High School (CA)
• NBA Comparison: Brandon Jennings
• Analysis: Crowe is a left-handed scoring point guard who thrives in transition. He has a balanced, controlled jumper and an uncanny ability to blow past defenders. He is the best scorer in the class, regardless of position.

5. Caleb Holt, SF

• School: Grayson High School (GA)
• NBA Comparison: Josh Hart, New York Knicks
• Analysis: Holt plays with eye-opening tenacity and is developing his ball skills. He is a powerful wing with an active rebounding ability and strong defensive skills.

6. Brandon McCoy, PG

• School: St. John Bosco High School (CA)
• NBA Comparison: Kris Dunn, LA Clippers
• Analysis: McCoy has terrific positional size as an athletic point guard with speed and vision in the open court. He is a defense-minded guard who can affect games with his ability to push the tempo and convert in transition.

7. Cameron Williams, PF

• School: Saint Mary's (AZ)
• NBA Comparison: Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Analysis: Williams is an innate shot blocker at 6-9, shrinking the vision of opposing offenses. He expertly defends ball screens and gets easy buckets in transition. His jump shot is maturing, and he is learning to stretch out defenses.

8. Dylan Mingo, PG

• School: Long Island Lutheran (NY)
• NBA Comparison: Tyreke Evans
• Analysis: Mingo is dynamic when the ball is in his hands, able to score in transition and in the half court. He attacks defenders off the dribble and knows how to maneuver ball screens.

9. Qayden Samuels, SF

• School: Bishop McNamara (MD)
• NBA Comparison: James Harden, LA Clippers
• Analysis: Samuels plays with a long, lefty frame and a fearless scoring prowess. He aggressively seeks scoring opportunities and understands how to get his shot off quickly with rhythm.

10. Jaxon Richardson, SF

• School: Christopher Columbus (FL)
• NBA Comparison: Jason Richardson
• Analysis: Richardson has dynamic vertical bounce and affects games at the rim. His developing jump shot from both midrange and beyond the arc is his swing skill, making him a versatile scorer.

Conclusion

The high school class of 2026 is brimming with talent, with players already drawing comparisons to current NBA stars. These recruits showcase a blend of size, athleticism, scoring versatility, and defensive tools that make them stand out early. As they continue to develop, they are poised to make a significant impact in the future of basketball.