High-end freshman talent teemed through the last two NBA draft classes with names like or
The 2027 class lacks that same lofty status.
Paul Biancardi, ESPN’s national recruiting director for high school basketball, said it was long clear the past two classes would “be special.” So much so that the due to widespread tanking by teams angling for those top prospects.
鈥淯nfairly they鈥檙e going to be compared to the last two classes,鈥� Biancardi said of 2027. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 never going to be helpful for them because 鈥� whether it was a bulk of talent or just tremendous talent at the top 鈥� the last two drafts were the best we鈥檝e seen in decades.
鈥淪o now we look ahead and this class ended up being very good.鈥�
One-and-done freshmen claimed 11 of 14 lottery spots (78.6%) in both 2025 and 2026, while NIL rules make it .
With that in mind, here’s a look at next summer’s top lottery candidates:
1. Tyran Stokes, Kansas
The 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward is a McDonald’s All-American topping recruiting rankings for 247Sports and ESPN. He , with Hall of Fame coach Bill Self .”
2. Caleb Holt, Arizona
The guard in April. He brings good size (6-5, 200) and athleticism for two-way potential as a top-3 national recruit who shared MVP honors of the McDonald’s All-American Game.
3. Jordan Smith Jr., Arkansas
The 6-2, 200-pound combo guard joins the list of touted pro prospects . The McDonald’s All-American was named the in March.
4.
Bruce Branch III, BYU
Fresh off Dybantsa being the No. 1 draft pick, the with the 6-7 wing. Branch was the No. 2 recruit in the 2027 recruiting class before reclassifying to this year.
5. Alijah Arenas, USC
The 6-6, 199-pound guard and son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has battled through a challenging 15 months. He was in that had him placed in an induced coma. Then he suffered a , delaying his . Still, he averaged 14.1 points, including a three-game run of 24-plus points in Big Ten play to highlight his potential in a healthy season after withdrawing from the draft.
6. Braylon Mullins, UConn
The 6-6 freshman guard averaged 12.0 points for the NCAA runner-up. He shot just 33.5% on 3s but had five games of . And of course, he hit with in the Elite Eight.
7. Thomas Haugh, Florida
The 6-9, 215-pound versatile forward and was already a lottery candidate before returning for his senior season. He went from averaging 9.8 points as a reserve for the 2025 NCAA champion to 17.1 as a full-time starter. He can strengthen his case by improving his 3-point shot (32.0% career).
8. Luigi Suigo, Villanova
The 7-3, 289-pound teenager who played in Serbia has rangy length and still-developing skills, inspiring the nickname 鈥淚talian Wemby鈥� after San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama. He had the third-biggest wingspan measured at the combine (better than 7-5).
9. Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
The 7-2, 260-pound center was a frontcourt anchor for a 36-win Final Four team as a junior. He averaged 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while shooting 56.9%, and he’s a career 77% free-throw shooter.
10. Cameron Williams, Duke
The 7-0, 210-pound forward headlines the nation鈥檚 No. 2-ranked recruiting class. Coach Jon Scheyer to go with athleticism, ballhandling and shooting range.
11. Amari Allen, Alabama
The 6-8, 205-pound forward to return for his sophomore season. He averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in a supporting role for a Sweet 16 team.
12. Patrick Ngongba II, Duke
The 6-11, 250-pound center (10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds) as a sophomore with rim-protecting length (1.1 blocks). He showed the first glimpses of improved range (8 of 31 from 3) to go with his passing touch (2.0 assists).
13. Jason Crowe Jr., Missouri
The 6-foot-3, 170-pound combo guard (No. 5 in 247Sports) since NBA player Michael Porter Jr. (2017). He set the California career record with more than 4,700 points and shared McDonald’s All-American Game MVP honors.
14. Matt Able, North Carolina
The 6-6 freshman guard averaged 8.8 points at N.C. State while showing with quality range (two games with five 3s). He performed well at the combine before withdrawing to play .
Others to watch (in alphabetical order):
鈥� JUKE HARRIS: The 6-7 guard is set for a starring role at Tennessee after averaging 21.4 points as a Wake Forest sophomore. He’s ranked seventh nationally among transfers by 247Sports.
鈥� SAYON KEITA: The lean 7-footer from Mali committed to UNC after playing in Spain. He has length, athleticism and still-developing upside as a rim protector and lob threat.
鈥� DAME SARR: Duke’s 6-8 wing from Italy offers high-end defensive potential and length. He averaged 6.4 points as a freshman but showed growth from outside (34.9% on 3s after Feb. 4).
鈥� TYLER TANNER: Vanderbilt’s 6-0, 173-pound guard withdrew from the draft to return as a junior. He’s bit undersized, but leapt to stardom last year by averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals while shooting 36.8% on 3s.
鈥� JT TOPPIN: Texas Tech’s 6-9, 230-pound junior forward was a first-team AP All-American despite suffering . He was among the country’s most productive players (21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.4 steals) and can help his case by improving his range (28.1% from 3).
鈥� TOUNDE YESSOUFOU: The 6-5 wing averaged 17.8 points as a freshman at Baylor, then withdrew from the draft to join St. John’s as 247Sports’ No. 4 transfer. He’s a former McDonald’s All-American with a high-motor style.
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