Ranking high school kids is a messy business. You’ve got scouts sitting in humid gyms in July, trying to guess if a 16-year-old with a 7-foot wingspan is actually going to be a star or just a guy who grew too fast. Now that we’re deep into the 2025-26 season, those old boys 2025 basketball rankings from last year look kinda different.
The Class of 2025 was always billed as a "three-horse race," but the way those horses are running now that they’re in college—or finishing up their prep years—has flipped the script. We aren't just talking about height anymore. We’re talking about NBA readiness.
The Battle for the Top Spot: Peterson vs. Dybantsa
For the longest time, AJ Dybantsa was the undisputed king. He reclassified, he dominated the Peach Jam, and he looked like a man among boys. But as the cycle closed, 247Sports did something bold: they moved Darryn Peterson to the No. 1 spot.
Why? Basically, it came down to consistency and "NBA-style" shot-making.
Peterson, the 6-foot-5 guard who landed at Kansas under Bill Self, proved he could score from literally anywhere. I'm talking about those tough, contested mid-range jumpers that stars take in the fourth quarter. While Dybantsa (now a freshman at BYU) is an athletic freak with a 6-foot-9 frame, some scouts felt Peterson’s floor was just higher.
✨ Don't miss: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
Current Top 5 Snapshot (Post-High School Shift)
- Darryn Peterson (Kansas): The new No. 1 for many. He's a physical guard who bullies smaller defenders.
- AJ Dybantsa (BYU): Still the highest upside. If his jumper becomes elite, he’s a future NBA All-Star.
- Cameron Boozer (Duke): The son of Carlos Boozer. He plays with a level of polish you just don't see in teenagers.
- Nate Ament: A massive riser late in the process. He’s 6-foot-9 but moves like a wing.
- Caleb Wilson: The ultimate modern "stretch" big man who can switch onto guards.
Honestly, the debate between Peterson and Dybantsa is going to last all the way to the 2026 NBA Draft. One week Dybantsa looks like Kevin Durant 2.0, and the next, Peterson puts up 30 points on 12 shots and you remember why he’s so special.
Why Cameron Boozer is the "Safe" Bet
If you’re a college coach, you want Cameron Boozer. He committed to Duke, following in his dad's footsteps, and he's been a double-double machine since he was a freshman in high school.
The weird thing about Boozer is that he’s almost too good at the basics. He doesn't take many flashy, unnecessary shots. He just rebounds, finishes through contact, and wins games. Because he isn't jumping over people every play, some rankings had him at No. 3 or even No. 4.
But look at the hardware. He was the Gatorade National Player of the Year. He won state titles at Christopher Columbus High. You can't ignore the winning.
🔗 Read more: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
The Sleepers and Late Bloomers
Every year, someone crashes the party. In the boys 2025 basketball rankings, that guy was Nate Ament.
A year ago, he was a "project." Then he grew another inch, kept his perimeter skills, and suddenly every school in the country was chasing him. He represents the "unicorn" trend—kids who are nearly 7 feet tall but refuse to stay in the paint.
Then you have guys like Chris Cenac Jr., who moved up into the top 10 after a massive summer. He’s a 6-foot-10 center who can actually handle the ball. If you aren't versatile in 2026, you're falling behind. That’s just how the game is played now.
What scouts got wrong (and right)
Scouts aren't psychics. They missed a bit on the "pure" point guards in this class. For a while, the rankings were dominated by wings, but guys like Mikel Brown Jr. and Darius Acuff Jr. proved that you still need a floor general.
💡 You might also like: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
- Acuff Jr. (Arkansas): He plays with a "Detroit tough" style. He’s going to thrive under John Calipari.
- Meleek Thomas: Maybe the most creative scorer in the class. He went the Overtime Elite route, which changed how people viewed his development.
It’s also worth mentioning the international influence. We’re seeing more kids like Dwayne Aristode (from the Netherlands via Brewster Academy) come over and shake up the domestic rankings. The game is global, and the 2025 class reflects that more than any before it.
Actionable Insights for Following the 2025 Class
If you're trying to keep track of these players as they transition into the 2026 NBA Draft conversation, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the Big 12: With Dybantsa at BYU and Peterson at Kansas, the Big 12 is basically an NBA audition ground this year.
- Monitor the "Twin" Effect: Keep an eye on Cayden Boozer (also at Duke). While Cameron gets the headlines, Cayden is one of the most stable point guards in the country.
- Check the Efficiency: Stop looking at "points per game." Look at who is shooting over 50% from the field. NBA teams are pivotting away from "volume shooters" who need 25 shots to get 20 points.
- Follow the Wings: The NBA wants 6-foot-7 guys who can guard three positions. If a player in the top 20 can't defend, expect their stock to drop by June.
The 2025 rankings are finally settling, but the real test is just beginning on the college hardwoods.