Everything changed when AJ Dybantsa decided he didn't want to wait anymore. By reclassifying to 2025, he left a massive power vacuum at the top of the class of 2026 basketball rankings.
Most casual fans are still looking at old lists. They're seeing names that aren't even in the class anymore or, worse, they're missing the meteoric rise of kids who were barely on the radar twelve months ago. High school hoops moves fast. If you aren't checking the tape every month, you're basically guessing.
Right now, the narrative is all about Tyran Stokes. And honestly? It should be.
The Tyran Stokes Era Begins (Again)
Stokes is a monster. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in at a solid 230 pounds, he doesn't look like a high school junior. He looks like he should be getting minutes in an NBA play-in game right now.
After transferring to Rainier Beach in Seattle, the hype has only intensified. He’s currently putting up absurd numbers—averaging roughly 21 points and 9 rebounds. But it’s not just the stat sheet. It’s the way he moves. You don't usually see guys that thick who can also pass the rock like a seasoned floor general.
He’s currently the consensus No. 1 across the board. 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN all have him sitting on the throne. But the gap isn't as wide as you might think.
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The Challengers Catching Heat
If Stokes is 1A, then Brandon McCoy Jr. is 1B, even with some recent injury setbacks. McCoy is a 6-foot-4 guard out of Sierra Canyon who plays with a level of "dog" that recruiters drool over. He’s a two-way nightmare.
You’ve also got to talk about Bruce Branch III. He’s been climbing the ranks at Prolific Prep, and some scouts are starting to wonder if his ceiling might actually be higher than Stokes' because of his pure length and shooting touch.
Players Making the Biggest Jumps
The middle of the top ten is where the real arguments happen. It’s a total dogfight.
- Cameron Williams: The 6-foot-11 big man from St. Mary’s in Phoenix recently committed to Duke. He’s shot up to No. 2 on the ESPN 100 and for good reason—mobile bigs with his hands are rare.
- Jordan Smith Jr.: Coming out of Paul VI, he’s arguably the best perimeter defender in the country. He’s 6-foot-2, but he plays like he’s 6-foot-6.
- Jason Crowe Jr.: This kid is a walking bucket. He’s been averaging over 40 points per game at Inglewood High. Missouri managed to snag a commitment from him, which is a massive win for their program.
- Caleb Holt: A high-motor wing at Prolific Prep. He’s the guy every coach wants because he never takes a play off.
Why the "Legacy" Talk is Real
The 2026 class feels a bit like a "who’s who" of basketball royalty. It's kinda wild. We’re seeing names that make you feel old.
Tajh Ariza is the son of NBA champion Trevor Ariza. He’s a 6-foot-8 wing at Link Academy who has already committed to Oregon. Then you have Alijah Arenas, Gilbert’s son, who is a scoring machine in Southern California.
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Even the lower rungs of the Top 50 are littered with familiar names. Jaxon Richardson (Jason Richardson’s son) and Alijah Arenas are proving that the genes are very much alive. These kids have been around pro gyms since they could walk, and you can see it in their footwork. It's just different.
The California Monopoly
If you want to see the best talent in the class of 2026 basketball rankings, you basically have to buy a plane ticket to LA.
Southern California is historically loaded right now. At one point recently, five of the top seven players in the entire country were playing within an hour of each other. St. John Bosco, Sierra Canyon, and Inglewood have turned the area into a scouting gauntlet.
But don't sleep on the East Coast. Dylan Mingo at Long Island Lutheran is a 6-foot-4 point guard who plays with a New York chip on his shoulder. He’s got offers from everyone—UNC, UConn, Baylor. He’s the type of player who can dismantle a zone defense with just his eyes.
Breaking Down the Top 10 (Current Snapshot)
- Tyran Stokes (SF, Rainier Beach) – The undisputed king for now.
- Cameron Williams (C, St. Mary's) – Duke commit with elite mobility.
- Jordan Smith Jr. (SG, Paul VI) – The lockdown specialist.
- Jason Crowe Jr. (PG, Inglewood) – The most prolific scorer in the class.
- Caleb Holt (SF, Prolific Prep) – Elite two-way energy.
- Bruce Branch III (SG, Prolific Prep) – Versatile wing with huge upside.
- Brandon McCoy Jr. (PG, Sierra Canyon) – Toughness personified.
- Christian Collins (PF, St. John Bosco) – A "bet on the future" pick with insane length.
- Dylan Mingo (PG, LuHi) – High-IQ floor general.
- Adonis Ratliff (SF, Archbishop Stepinac) – Recent USC commit with a pro-ready frame.
What the Experts are Arguing About
The biggest debate right now isn't about who is No. 1—it's about the "depth" of the class.
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Early on, scouts were worried that 2026 was top-heavy. Beyond the first ten or twelve names, there was a feeling that the talent dropped off a cliff. But that’s changing.
Players like Miikka Muurinen, a 6-foot-10 wing playing in Europe, and Baba Oladotun are proving that the "middle class" of this ranking is actually full of sleepers. Muurinen, specifically, is a name you need to memorize. He’s got that "unicorn" skill set—rim protection combined with three-point shooting.
Also, keep an eye on the reclassification rumors. Just because someone is in the 2026 class today doesn't mean they'll be there in August. The NIL era has made it very tempting for elite kids to jump to college early.
Actionable Scouting Tips for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with these rankings without losing your mind, here is how you should actually track them:
- Ignore the "Star" Counts: A 4-star in 2026 might be a 5-star by the time they're seniors. Look at the offer list instead. If Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas all offer a kid in the same week, the ranking is about to jump.
- Watch the Peach Jam: The Nike EYBL circuit is still the gold standard. Players who perform well in July at North Augusta are the ones who usually stick at the top of the rankings.
- Focus on Versatility: The NBA wants "positionless" players. Kids like Tyran Stokes and Anthony Thompson who can bring the ball up at 6-foot-8 are going to be valued higher than traditional post players.
- Check MaxPreps Regularly: Rankings are updated quarterly, but MaxPreps shows you who is actually putting up 40 a night right now.
The class of 2026 basketball rankings will continue to shift as we head into the spring grassroots season. Watch the tape, look for the kids who are growing (literally and figuratively), and don't get too attached to the No. 1 spot. In this class, it's a revolving door.