Look, everyone wants to talk about the "next big thing" in basketball. But the reality of the class of 25 basketball rankings right now is that we aren't just looking at one superstar—we’re watching a three-way collision for the top spot that feels like a heavyweight title fight.
It's chaotic. It’s loud. And depending on which scout you ask, the No. 1 spot belongs to a different kid every Tuesday.
Honestly, the hype around AJ Dybantsa is real for a reason. But if you’ve been paying attention to what Darryn Peterson is doing at Kansas or how Cameron Boozer is basically a walking double-double machine, you know the "consensus" is anything but settled. We are in January 2026, and the scouts at 247Sports, Rivals, and On3 are still arguing in the back of gymnasiums about who has the highest ceiling.
The AJ Dybantsa vs. Cameron Boozer Debate
For a long time, it felt like Cameron Boozer was the safe bet. He’s polished. He plays like a 10-year NBA vet already. At 6-foot-9, he’s leading the way for Duke’s incoming class with a level of efficiency that’s almost boring because it's so consistent. He doesn't take bad shots. He doesn't miss rotations.
But then there's AJ Dybantsa.
Dybantsa is currently at BYU, and let’s be real—he’s putting up video game numbers. He’s 6-foot-9 with the handle of a guard and a wingspan that seems to cover half the court. While Boozer is the "floor" guy (you know exactly what you're getting), Dybantsa is the "ceiling" guy.
He had a stretch recently of nine straight games with 20+ points in the Big 12. That’s Trae Young territory. Some scouts worry he plays to the cameras a bit much at times, but when he's locked in? Forget it. You aren't stopping that.
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Don't Sleep on Darryn Peterson
While the Boozer and Dybantsa fans are yelling at each other, Darryn Peterson just keeps getting better. Now at Kansas under Bill Self, Peterson is arguably the best pure guard in the class. Bill Self actually called him the best player he’s recruited since he’s been at Kansas. That is a massive statement coming from a guy who has coached future NBA All-Stars.
Peterson is 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan. He’s a combo guard who can play on or off the ball, which makes him a nightmare to game plan for. He scores with such an effortless rhythm that you sometimes look at the box score and realize he has 25 points without ever breaking a sweat.
The Massive Rise of Nate Ament and Chris Cenac
If you looked at the class of 25 basketball rankings a year ago, names like Nate Ament weren't exactly at the very top. Fast forward to today, and Ament is a consensus top-5 talent headed to Tennessee. Rick Barnes is probably smiling every morning thinking about it.
Ament is a bit of a unicorn. He’s nearly 6-foot-10 but plays like a wing. He’s wiry, sure, and he definitely needs to hit the weight room once he gets to Knoxville, but his touch is elite. He shot 47/42/90 in the 3SSB circuit. Those are pro-level shooting splits for a kid that size.
Then you have Chris Cenac.
Cenac is basically the crown jewel of Kelvin Sampson’s recruiting class at Houston. He’s a 6-foot-10 "stretch big" who actually likes to shoot the three. Sampson has said Cenac will be one of the better shooters on the team from day one. In an era where "bigs" who can't shoot are becoming obsolete, Cenac is the perfect modern prospect.
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Beyond the Top 5: The Depth of the 2025 Class
The talent doesn't just fall off a cliff after the first few names. This class is deep.
Mikel Brown Jr. is headed to Louisville and might be the shiftiest point guard in the entire group. He’s only 6-foot-3 and pretty thin, but his vision is different. He sees plays three seconds before they happen.
Caleb Wilson is another name that keeps surfacing in the top-tier discussion. He’s a 6-foot-10 forward committed to North Carolina who plays with a motor that most kids his size just don't have. He’s a transition nightmare.
And then there's Koa Peat. He’s a 6-foot-8 powerhouse headed to Arizona. He’s not as "flashy" as Dybantsa, but he’s a bully in the paint. He’s the guy you hate to play against because he’s going to hit you in the chest every single possession.
Notable Names to Watch
- Brayden Burries: A physical 6-foot-5 guard committed to Arizona. He’s a winner who just knows how to impact the game even when his shot isn't falling.
- Meleek Thomas: Now at Arkansas under John Calipari. We know Cal loves his elite guards, and Thomas fits that "bucket-getter" mold perfectly.
- Darius Acuff Jr.: Another Arkansas commit. He’s a pure point guard who can take over a game when he decides to.
Why Rankings Change So Much in January
We’re in that weird window where high school seasons are in full swing, but the "All-American" games haven't happened yet. This is when the "eye test" starts to matter more than just the stats.
Scouts are looking for consistency. It’s easy to have one great game on a Tuesday night in a half-empty gym. It’s much harder to do it when every opposing coach has a month of film on you.
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The biggest thing to watch for in the class of 25 basketball rankings over the next few months isn't just who scores the most. It's about who is getting better at the things they used to be bad at. Can Ament handle physical contact? Can Dybantsa stay engaged on defense? Can Peterson lead a team when his jumper isn't falling?
Where Do These Kids Rank Long-Term?
If we’re looking ahead to the 2026 NBA Draft, many of these names are already being projected as lottery picks. Chris Cenac has even been mentioned as a potential No. 1 overall pick down the road because of his versatility.
It’s a fun class. It’s a talented class. But mostly, it’s a class full of guys who actually seem to like playing against each other. The head-to-head matchups between Dybantsa and Peterson or Boozer and Wilson have been the highlights of the season so far.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to keep a pulse on these rankings without getting overwhelmed by the noise, focus on three specific things:
- Watch the shooting splits: In the modern game, if a wing can't shoot at least 35% from deep, their ranking will eventually slide. Keep an eye on guys like Nate Ament to see if they maintain their efficiency.
- Check the "Big on Big" matchups: When Chris Cenac plays against a top-tier center, does he disappear, or does he dominate? Those head-to-head games are the only time the rankings actually mean something.
- Monitor the NIL valuations: Whether we like it or not, NIL is a factor now. Dybantsa already has a massive valuation, and how these kids handle the "business" side of things often reflects their maturity on the court.
The rankings are going to shift again before the spring. They always do. But for now, the AJ Dybantsa vs. Cameron Boozer war is the story that’s going to define this cycle until the final whistles blow.