There are currently 20 five-stars atop the SC Next 100 player rankings for the men's college basketball Class of 2026. Seventeen are off the board, after Dylan Mingo decommitted from North Carolina and reopened his recruitment.
We're continuing to track every top commitment in the Class of 2026 as it happens and breaking down the fit and more, right here.
Players are ordered by rank below. Jump to the latest commitment here.
See the full 2026 ESPN 100 player rankings here
Jordan Smith, SG
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 2
Committed to: Arkansas Razorbacks
Commitment date: Feb. 13, 2026
Background: Smith has been considered one of the best players in the 2026 class since his first weeks as a high school student, earning multiple high-major offers in the fall of his freshman season. His recruitment, however, has taken some twists and turns. Long thought to be a Duke lean -- with Georgetown looking to make up ground and keep him close to his home in Virginia -- Smith let the early signing period come and go without a decision. While that wasn't a surprise, it did open a window for another five-star guard (Deron Rippey Jr.) to commit to the Blue Devils in December. Arkansas, meanwhile, had significant momentum with Smith coming out of the fall; that only intensified once Duke signed Rippey.
How he fits: Most notably, Smith's commitment immediately vaults Arkansas into the discussion for the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. The Razorbacks are likely just a step behind Duke for the top spot, but they've closed the gap considerably, with Smith joining top-35 prospects JaShawn Andrews and Abdou Toure. Smith is one of the best two-way players in the class, proving to be a winner for multiple teams during his high school career. He's physically ready for the college game -- he's aggressive, can get to the basket and play either backcourt position -- and he should fit seamlessly into any role John Calipari has planned. Opportunities should be there with current Razorbacks point guard Darius Acuff Jr. a projected lottery pick and Meleek Thomas a borderline first-rounder.
Should Duke be concerned about its 2026-27 backcourt? While Duke missing on Smith is a loss, the Blue Devils' future perimeter was already getting crowded. With Rippey's commitment, they now have three point guards projected for next season's roster between Rippey, Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer. Isaiah Evans is projected as a first-round pick, so he's likely to leave; Dame Sarr has dropped into the second round of ESPN's most recent big board; reserve shooter Darren Harris is only a sophomore; and five-star wing Bryson Howard will enter the program next season. There will obviously be some attrition, either to the portal or the NBA, but head coach Jon Scheyer has plenty of pieces in the backcourt.
Cameron Williams, PF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 3
Committed to: Duke Blue Devils
Commitment date: Nov. 14, 2025
Background: Now considered one of the elite prospects in the 2026 class, Williams didn't emerge as a highly sought-after recruit until the calendar turned to 2025. Arizona made him an offer over the winter, but he began stacking more once the grassroots season began in the spring, when Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina joined in the pursuit following a string of tremendous performances with the Compton Magic on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. Following his stock-rising summer, Williams' recruitment appeared to be a Duke vs. Arizona battle for most of the past few months, with Texas making a strong push to make his final list. Duke won out to jump-start its quest for a third straight No. 1 class.
How he fits: Williams possesses one of the highest ceilings in the 2026 class, given his 6-foot-11 size and rapidly expanding skill set, which includes a consistent 3-point shot. Although Duke's roster will look dramatically different than it does now, we would expect Williams to step in and replace Cameron Boozer at the power forward position next season. Much like Boozer is a completely different prospect than Cooper Flagg, Williams will not be a do-everything, high-usage producer like Boozer. Williams is more of a two-way contributor who should be a consistent scorer and shotmaker as a freshman.
Where does Arizona turn? Tommy Lloyd and the Wildcats finally got on the board in the 2026 class last weekend, when No. 34-ranked Cameron Holmes committed to the Wildcats. They felt good about Holmes and Williams for long stretches during the summer, but Duke landing Williams does throw a wrench in their 2026 plans. The highest-touted prospect on their board is Caleb Holt (No. 6), although that's likely an uphill battle with the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and others involved.
Caleb Holt, SF
2025 SC Next 100 ranking: 4
Committed to: Arizona Wildcats
Commitment date: March 10, 2026
Background: Holt has been one of the elite prospects in his class since early in his high school career, and he had a recruitment that reflected that status. He had a long list of visits in the summer and fall, including Arizona, Alabama, Houston, Arkansas, Kentucky and Providence. While Kentucky and Alabama each took turns as the perceived favorite, Arizona began to pick up momentum as Holt's recruitment progressed. Much of the Wildcats' success in this recruitment stemmed from Holt's relationship with coach Tommy Lloyd, who coached him on the USA Basketball U19 team that won gold at the FIBA U19 Men's World Cup last summer.
How he fits: An Arizona offensive system that prioritizes scoring in the paint and getting to the free-throw line should suit Holt, who can play on or off the ball and loves getting downhill in transition. He's a capable 3-point shooter and has shown improvement in that area over the last year. It's easy to draw similarities between Holt and Arizona's current backcourt of Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries. While Holt is the most naturally gifted of the trio, all three are high-level two-way players that can play either on or off the ball and have the propensity to make winning plays late in games.
With Holt, can Arizona repeat as Big 12 champs? Lloyd likely has a massive reloading job on his hands for next season. The Wildcats have used a pretty strict eight-man rotation when everyone is healthy this season, and at least five or six of those players could be headed out the door in a few weeks. Bradley, Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell'Orso are all seniors, while Burries, Koa Peat and Motiejus Krivas are projected first-round draft picks. Arizona is also bringing in top-50 recruit Cameron Holmes, but will likely have to hit the portal to round out the rest of the lineup -- while also hoping one of its first-round frontcourt talents returns to Tucson.
Christian Collins, PF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 5
Committed to: USC Trojans
Commitment date: March 18, 2026
Background: Collins' recruitment has taken plenty of twists and turns. He looked like a USC lean back in the fall, then appeared a surefire Kentucky Wildcats commit right around the early signing period -- before letting the period come and go and opening up his recruitment. Just a few weeks later, the winds began blowing in the Trojans' direction once again, and Eric Musselman and his staff were able to close it out.
How he fits: This is a massive commitment for Musselman and USC. Collins is the third McDonald's All-American in the senior class to pick the Trojans, joining twin 7-footers Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff to create one of the elite recruiting classes in the country. Collins is a terrific athlete who can make an impact at both ends of the floor and on the glass. With his length, and with the size of the Ratliffs alongside him up front, Musselman should have a fearsome frontcourt trio next season.
What else does USC need to be a national contender? While they will be a fearsome trio, the incoming freshmen might not all fit in the frontcourt together next season. That said, they should still take up the majority of the minutes at the power forward and center positions, along with expected returnee Jacob Cofie, who showed plenty of promise after transferring from Virginia last spring. The biggest question for Musselman in the next couple weeks will be whether Alijah Arenas and/or Rodney Rice return to the Trojans. Either one provides a high-level scorer on the perimeter; both would make USC one of the most talented teams in the country. USC's priority in the transfer portal should be a point guard.
Bruce Branch III, SF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 6
Committed to: BYU Cougars
Commitment date: March 3, 2026
Background: Branch was one of the elite prospects in the 2027 class, ranking No. 2 coming out of the summer. He then announced in November he was going to reclassify and move up into the senior class, where he's squarely in the tier just behind top-ranked Tyran Stokes. Branch turned only 17 in October, meaning he will likely be one of the younger prospects in the 2027 NBA draft class. Shortly after the reclassification, BYU emerged as the clear favorite to land Branch -- and the Cougars won out despite Branch taking a visit to USC last month.
How he fits: With potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa leaving BYU in a few weeks, Branch should step in immediately as his replacement in the fall. He's a high-level shotmaker with great positional size who can get points at all three levels, but he is at his best as a catch-and-shoot perimeter shooter or with his midrange game. Kevin Young will need to replace plenty of points this offseason, with Richie Saunders out of eligibility in addition to the Dybantsa departure. Expect BYU to hit the portal for another high-scoring perimeter option, too.
How has BYU become a mainstay in elite recruitments? Branch's commitment gives Young his third consecutive recruiting class with a five-star prospect, following Egor Demin (2024) and Dybantsa (2025). It's not a coincidence all three are big wings who can make plays with the ball in their hands. In his two years in Provo, Young has instilled a free-flowing NBA-style offense predicated on pace and space -- but he has also catered his attacks to his best players. Last year was a bit slower with Demin and Dallin Hall as the playmakers, while this year has featured less 3-point shooting due to Dybantsa and Rob Wright III's ability to get to the rim off the bounce. It's an attractive system for players with NBA aspirations, and that doesn't seem likely to change.
Jason Crowe, PG
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 7
Committed to: Missouri Tigers
Commitment date: July 18, 2025
Background: Crowe didn't wait until the end of the July live period to make his commitment, setting a date for mid-July in advance. He also never announced an official school list. For much of his recruitment, though, Kentucky and USC were considered the primary contenders: Crowe's father played with Kentucky assistant Jason Hart and the two remain friends, and the Trojans made him a priority throughout the process. But over the final few weeks, Missouri emerged as the favorite and was able to land the top-five scorer.
How he fits: Crowe is one of the elite scorers in high school basketball, averaging better than 23 points per game on the Nike EYBL circuit. He's explosive with the ball in his hands and is an adept playmaker who can get others involved. At Missouri, Crowe will likely become the team's best offensive player early, although point guard Anthony Robinson and UCLA transfer Sebastian Mack could return to Columbia in 2026-27 and take the pressure off Crowe. It's also worth noting that Dennis Gates & Co. have made some real headway with fellow five-star Toni Bryant (No. 13).
What's next for Kentucky and USC? Crowe would have been the ideal start of the 2026-27 roster for either Kentucky or USC, but both programs have talented prospects remaining at the top of their boards. The Wildcats are in pursuit of No. 1 prospect Tyran Stokes, No. 5 Caleb Holt, and five-star point guards Taylen Kinney (No. 17) and Deron Rippey Jr. (No. 18), among others. USC is eyeing Christian Collins (No. 2), Brandon McCoy (No. 6) and Tajh Ariza (No. 20) at the top.
Babatunde Oladotun, F
2026 SC Next100 ranking: 8
Committed to: Maryland Terrapins
Commitment date: November 19, 2025
Background: Oladotun was the No. 1 prospect in the 2027 class before reclassifying up in August, where he remained in the top-10 player rankings despite still being 16 years old. He's been on the high-major radar for years, earning power conference offers as a high school freshman. His recruitment took several turns over the past few weeks, and he was initially considering Kentucky and Virginia Tech before cutting them from his list. Then Arkansas looked like the favorite down the stretch. Ultimately, it became more of a local battle between D.C. rivals Georgetown and Maryland. Buzz Williams and the Terps won this round.
How he fits: Williams is already beginning to put together a young and talented core for next season that should keep Maryland in the mix in the Big Ten. Oladotun possesses a high level of skill for someone his size, and he has excellent shotmaking ability and plenty of defensive versatility. The Terps already had top-50 scorer Kaden House in the fold in the 2026 class, and freshman guards Darius Adams -- a former McDonald's All-American -- and Andre Mills are both currently averaging double-figures for Maryland.
After missing on Oladotun and Arafan Diane, what's next for Arkansas? In addition to Oladotun, top-25 prospect Arafan Diane also announced his commitment on Wednesday, picking Houston over a handful of suitors. That included Arkansas, although the Razorbacks had faded in recent weeks. While they entered the early signing period with a top-10 class, there was hope in Fayetteville of landing another high-impact recruit before the close of the period. The 2026 class is far from over for John Calipari's program, though, as the Razorbacks are still in the mix for Jordan Smith (No. 2), Caleb Holt (No. 6) and Brandon McCoy (No. 7).
Caleb Gaskins, PF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 10
Committed to: Miami Hurricanes
Commitment date: Oct. 30, 2025
Background: Gaskins has been on high-major radars since he entered high school, earning power-conference offers as early as the spring of his sophomore year. The Melbourne, Florida, native, who attends Christopher Columbus in Miami, emerged as a priority recruit for the Hurricanes shortly after Jai Lucas took over in Coral Gables in the spring. The Hurricanes positioned themselves strongly, and ultimately beat out a pair of SEC programs in Texas A&M and Florida -- both of which Gaskins visited in recent weeks.
Gaskins is a key commitment for Lucas, his first five-star recruit as the head coach of Miami. This commitment is also a sign that Lucas has made it a priority to keep the state's best players home for college.
How he fits: Gaskins gives Lucas a strong frontcourt anchor moving forward, as well as a marquee name around which to build his 2026 recruiting class. The 6-8 power forward has the physical tools to make an impact at both ends of the floor, especially on the backboards. He's more effective inside the arc but is expanding his face-up game to become more of a perimeter threat. He was at his best at the high-profile Nike Peach Jam in July, averaging 20.0 points and 10.2 rebounds in five games.
Anthony Thompson, SF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 11
Committed to: Ohio State Buckeyes
Commitment date: Oct. 21, 2025
Background: Thompson has been the subject of a fierce Big Ten -- and national -- recruiting battle for a long time. He broke out as a sophomore in high school, with offers from several regional high-major programs already in tow. As things progressed this past summer, three schools emerged for his commitment: Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan.
When Michigan landed a commitment from No. 54 Quinn Costello last month, however, the Wolverines faded from contention and it became an incredibly tight race between the Hoosiers and Buckeyes. In the end, Jake Diebler was able to keep the Lebanon, Ohio, native home and land the first true statement recruit of his tenure. Thompson also gives Ohio State its highest-ranked recruit since No. 13 D'Angelo Russell in 2014. He joins four-star point guard Marcus Johnson (No. 28) and four-star forward Alex Smith, both also from the state of Ohio, for the Buckeyes' 2026-27 roster.
How he fits: Given his 6-9 size, 7-4 wingspan and shooting ability, Thompson's ceiling is incredibly high. He was one of the most impressive players during the July live period, scoring 30-plus points on five separate occasions and shooting nearly 40% from behind the arc during the spring and summer on the adidas 3ssb boys' circuit. He should start immediately upon arriving in Columbus next season, especially since the Buckeyes will have four seniors -- including up to three starters -- in their rotation. If Devin Royal returns, he and Thompson could form a versatile forward tandem causing matchup nightmares for opponents.
How big of a miss is this for Indiana? Darian DeVries and the Hoosiers were in this one until the very end, and there were stretches in the fall where it looked as if Indiana was in front for Thompson. From that perspective, it's a difficult defeat. There aren't a ton of obvious places to turn to for wings, although Indiana recently hosted SC Next 100 wing Vaughn Karvala (No. 30) for a visit. The Hoosiers are also in the mix for two of the top three centers in the 2026 class, Arafan Diane (No. 21) and Ethan Taylor (No. 32). Four-star guard Prince-Alexander Moody is already committed.
JaShawn "JJ" Andrews, SF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 12
Committed to: Arkansas Razorbacks
Commitment date: May 15, 2025
Background: While highly ranked prospects from the state of Arkansas have typically stayed home for college -- ironically, Malik Monk choosing John Calipari's Kentucky over Arkansas was one of the high-profile exceptions -- the Razorbacks had to do some work to land Andrews. He had LSU and Missouri among his final three, with Dennis Gates' Tigers appearing to be in a strong position down the stretch. But Calipari has proved he still has juice with five-stars.
How he fits: The No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas, Andrews has been on the radar of top programs for multiple years. He has tremendous physical tools and is aggressive going to the basket on the offensive end. Although he's not a prolific perimeter shooter, he did shoot 40% from 3-point range during the EYBL regular season with just about one make per game. It's always unclear who will return to a Calipari-coached roster, but Andrews should have an early role when he arrives in fall 2026. Unsurprisingly, the Razorbacks are in pursuit of a slew of other five-stars in 2026.
Deron Rippey Jr., PG
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 13
Committed to: Duke Blue Devils
Commitment date: Dec. 30, 2025
Background: Rippey Jr. has been on the radar of colleges since his freshman year of high school, picking up an offer from St. John's before Rick Pitino even took over the Red Storm. By the end of his junior year, he had nearly every program in the country on his trail, with the likes of Duke, Kentucky, UCLA and Indiana joining the fray in June. He had an incredibly busy -- and well-informed -- recruitment, taking official visits to more than a half-dozen schools over the past few months. Duke turned up the heat as the fall progressed, making Rippey Jr. its clear priority at the point guard spot.
How he fits: Rippey Jr. is an ultra-aggressive playmaker at the point guard position, using his speed and explosiveness to make plays at both ends of the floor. He's difficult to keep out of the lane with the ball in his hands, possessing high-level playmaking and finishing ability and a developing shooting stroke. Defensively, he is a menace for opposing guards, constantly creating havoc with his on-ball pressure. His commitment gives Duke the No. 1 recruiting class at this point in the cycle.
The more interesting ripple effect of his commitment, however, is what this means for Duke's point guard situation next season. Current starter Caleb Foster still has one year of eligibility after this season, and his growth as a junior this campaign has been positive. Former five-star recruit Cayden Boozer is also slated to be back, even with his brother, Cameron, likely a top-three draft pick in June. Does Scheyer keep all three or play two of them together?
Toni Bryant, PF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 14
Committed to: Missouri Tigers
Commitment date: Sept. 8, 2025
Background: A 6-foot-9 power forward from Zephyrhills Christian Academy in Florida, Bryant is the No. 4 power forward in the 2026 class, averaging 13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds on the Puma Pro16 circuit this past spring and summer.
As we mentioned when Jason Crowe committed, Missouri was long considered a top contender for Bryant. Dennis Gates and the Tigers were among the first high-major schools to show heavy interest in Bryant, extending a scholarship offer in May 2024 -- well before he emerged as one of the top frontcourt players in the 2026 class. A number of other programs jumped into the mix over the past 16 months, including blue bloods Kansas (March) and North Carolina (earlier this month). But Missouri brought him on campus this past weekend for the Tigers' football game against the rival Jayhawks, and Bryant ended his recruitment less than 48 hours later.
How he fits: Bryant is the second five-star recruit in Missouri's 2026 group, joining Crowe in what is now the only class in the country with multiple five-star prospects. Bryant's stock has risen considerably over the past year, with his athleticism and two-way potential making an impression. He's active in transition and on the offensive glass and is showing signs of being able to knock down shots from the perimeter.
He won't have to shoulder a huge offensive load right away as a freshman in Columbia, particularly with high-usage point guard Crowe running the show. But expect Crowe to get Bryant involved on lobs and in fast-break settings. Bryant should be able to make an impact on the defensive end, given Missouri's aggressive style at that end of the floor.
Adonis Ratliff, C
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 15
Committed to: USC Trojans
Commitment date: Oct. 22, 2025
Background: No player in high school basketball boosted his stock more during the fall than the 7-foot Ratliff, who moved up an eye-popping 76 spots in the SC Next 100 in December. Injuries kept him out of action last summer, but he has shown high-level NBA potential since returning to the court -- including making nine 3-pointers in a game last fall. He's the son of former NBA veteran Theo Ratliff and the twin brother of highly ranked four-star recruit Darius Ratliff.
How he fits: Eric Musselman and the Trojans could feature one of the most talented and versatile frontcourts in the country next season, with both Ratliff twins, as well as the potential return of sophomore Jacob Cofie. All three can score, all three are skilled, and all three can protect the rim. Adonis, however, has real one-and-done potential if he adapts to the physicality of the college game. He moves incredibly well for his size and is a terrific shooter.
Austin Goosby, SG
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 16
Committed to: Texas Longhorns
Commitment date: Nov. 17, 2025
Background: Goosby has been a priority in-state recruit for Texas schools for more than two years, earning high-major offers as early as the summer after his freshman year of high school. The Longhorns began recruiting Goosby -- whose brother is an offensive lineman on the football team -- under Rodney Terry. The five-star guard was one of Miller's first calls after he took over, and the Longhorns maintained a steady pursuit the whole way through. Over the last few weeks, it appeared like a Texas-BYU battle for Goosby, but the homestate Longhorns won this battle.
How he fits: Miller has done a terrific job building out his future perimeter group in this 2026 class. Along with Goosby, the Longhorns will be bringing in SC Next 100 wings Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling, two of the premier shooters in the country. Goosby isn't the shooter those two are, but he's a more versatile offensive player and can get his points in a variety of ways. Starting guards Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope, as well as sixth man Chendall Weaver, are all seniors, so there should be plenty of perimeter minutes to go around next season in Austin.
Jaxon Richardson, SF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 17
Committed to: Alabama Crimson Tide
Commitment date: March 5, 2026
Background: Richardson is the younger brother of Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson and the son of former NBA veteran Jason Richardson. Given his star-studded family, Alabama's relationship with the Richardson family preceded Jaxon's emergence as a five-star prospect -- but his familiarity and rapport with coach Nate Oats and assistant coach Preston Murphy played a huge role in his commitment. This is a big win for Oats on the recruiting trail, particularly after Richardson appeared to be trending toward picking Creighton for much of the past few months. But Alabama was able to turn the tide (no pun intended) in the final days and get the five-star wing into the fold.
How he fits: Richardson is the third top-35 prospect to join Alabama's 2026 recruiting class, along with fellow wing Qayden Samuels and shooting guard Tarris Bouie. The Tide will likely bid farewell to much of their perimeter group after this season, with Labaron Philon Jr. and Amari Allen looking like potential first-round picks and Latrell Wrightsell and Houston Mallette graduating. So there should be plenty of minutes available alongside Aden Holloway, with an influx of scoring needed. Richardson will be able to help immediately on the defensive end and in transition, while Samuels will be more of the volume scoring type in Tuscaloosa.
Taylen Kinney, PG
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 19
Committed to: Kansas Jayhawks
Commitment date: Sept. 28, 2025
Background: Kinney has been one of the top-ranked point guards in the 2026 class for most of the past two years, earning high-major offers and interest as far back as 2023. He was long considered a Louisville lean -- the program had extended a scholarship offer under then-coach Kenny Payne. Kentucky and Indiana were also involved since early in his recruitment, and he took trips to both campuses as a high school junior. But it was a late August visit to Kansas that seemed to turn the tide for the Kentucky native. The momentum flipped from Louisville to the Jayhawks, who held off the rest of Kinney's finalists down the stretch.
How he fits: Kinney should slot seamlessly into the point guard spot that should be vacated by 2025 No. 2 recruit Darryn Peterson, who has a chance to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Like Peterson, Kinney is more scorer than distributor, but he's continuing to progress as a playmaker; his gravity as a scorer and his ability to get into the lane off the dribble help create open looks for his teammates, too. The Jayhawks are still in pursuit of top-50 prospects Davion Adkins and Ethan Taylor, both frontcourt players, but there has been positive buzz about incoming freshman Kohl Rosario, who could be Kinney's backcourt mate next season.
Louisville just missed out on Kinney. Where do the Cardinals go from here? With Mikel Brown Jr. expected to be a one-and-done lottery pick at the point guard position, coach Pat Kelsey still needs a replacement to run the show for 2026-27. The Cardinals are still in the mix for Deron Rippey Jr., a five-star point guard and one of Kinney's positional rivals this past summer on the Adidas circuit. If Rippey goes elsewhere -- which seems to be the likely result as of now -- Kelsey might have to wait for the transfer portal to find his point guard.
Arafan Diane, C
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 20
Committed to: Houston Cougars
Commitment date: Nov. 19, 2025
Background: Diane is the most physically imposing and physically dominant player in the 2026 class, a massive low-post prospect with surprisingly good touch for a center standing 7-1 and nearly 300 pounds. While a long list of power-conference programs targeted Diane, Houston emerged as the favorite coming out of the summer. The Cougars received the final official visit from a list that also included Indiana, Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia -- but Diane's relationship with Kelvin Sampson gave the Cougars the edge.
How he fits: This season's Cougars lack the low-post offensive weapon they had when J'Wan Roberts was on the roster. Diane should help rectify that next season. He'll also immediately help when it comes to rim protection and offensive rebounding, two key pillars of Sampson's system. Diane and fellow 2026 commit Ikenna Alozie immediately upgrade the physicality and intensity Houston will have on the defensive end. Whether Diane steps into a starting role from day one depends on the NBA decisions of Chris Cenac Jr. and Joseph Tugler.
More top recruits
These players were five-stars at the time of their commitment announcements.
Bryson Howard, SF
2026 SC Next 100 ranking: 23
Committed to: Duke Blue Devils
Commitment date: Oct. 21, 2025
Background: Howard was one of the fastest risers in the 2026 class over the past 12 months, entering the spring as an unranked prospect and coming out of the fall as a five-star recruit. The son of former NBA veteran Josh Howard, Bryson had a blue-blood recruitment that featured a final list of Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky. But after a visit to Durham in September, the Blue Devils took the lead and were able to seal his commitment.
How he fits: There's always plenty of moving parts when it comes to projecting future Duke rosters, but Howard's elite shotmaking prowess should help the Blue Devils, regardless of which players are still in Durham next season. He can really shoot the ball from the perimeter, and his ability to stretch a defense can only help ballhandlers Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and fellow five-star guard Deron Rippey Jr. How many minutes will Howard get from day one? That will depend on the strides current sophomore Darren Harris makes in the offseason, as well as whether current potential first-round picks Dame Sarr and Nikolas Khamenia turn pro.