A new generation of players has been selected in the NBA draft, and now experts and scouts will ponder who's next. Some of the top players in the high school ranks are close to NBA- or college-ready right now, and some are still developing, but all have demonstrated talents to suggest that they can play for a long time.
So, as we launch our updated player rankings heading into the July evaluation period, we've put together a top 25 board regardless of class. This list is not solely based on current ESPN player ranking but also factors in long-term potential and other intangibles that predict success at the next levels.
The top name to know is Emoni Bates, a rising sophomore with generational upside who gets the top spot in part because of his stellar play in the EYBL 15U division and the fact that he led his team to a state championship last season as a freshman. As of today, Bates is both the best player in high basketball and the best long-term prospect, while Evan Mobley and Cade Cunningham have separated themselves in the 2020 class and 2021 standout Pat Baldwin is the best shot-maker in the high school game, with terrific positional size.
The complete list:
1. Emoni Bates (No. 1 in 2022 class, 6-foot-7, 170 pounds, Lincoln/Ypsilanti, Michigan)
2. Evan Mobley (No. 1 in 2020 class; C, 7-0, 205, Rancho Christian School/Temecula, California)
3. Cade Cunningham (No. 2 in 2020 class; PG, 6-5, 215 pounds, Montverde Academy (Florida)/Arlington, Texas)
4. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (No. 1 in 2021 class; SF, 6-10, 200 pounds, Hamilton/Sussex, Wisconsin)
5. Jalen Green (No. 3 in 2020 class; SG, 6-5, 180, Prolific Prep (California)/Fresno, California)
6. Jalen Johnson (No. 4 in 2020 class; SF, 6-8, 215, Nicolet/Glendale, Wisconsin)
7. Jonathan Kuminga (No. 2 in 2021 class; SF, 6-7, 210, Our Savior New American School (New York)/Queens)
8. Terrence Clarke (No. 3 in 2021 class; SF, 6-6, 190, Brewster Academy/Wolfeboro, New Hampshire)
9. Jaden Hardy (No. 4 in 2021 class; PG, 6-4, 185, Coronado/Henderson, Nevada)
10. Greg Brown (No. 5 in 2020 class; PF, 6-8, 205, Vandegrift/Austin, Texas)
11. Ziaire Williams (No. 6 in 2020 class; SF, 6-7, 175, Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks, California)
12. Makur Maker (No. 11 in 2020 class; C, 6-11, 230, Orange Lutheran/Orange, California)
13. B.J. Boston (No. 7 in 2020 class; SF, 6-6, 175, Norcross/Norcross, Georgia)
14. Isaiah Todd (No. 8 in 2020 class; PF, 6-9, 215, Trinity Academy/Richmond, Virginia)
15. Josh Christopher (No. 10 in 2020 class; SG, 6-4, 205, Mayfair/Lakewood, California)
16. Paolo Banchero (No. 5 in 2021 class; PF, 6-8, 230, O'Dea/Seattle)
17. Scottie Barnes (No. 9 in 2020 class; PF, 6-8, 210, NSU University School/West Palm Beach, Florida)
18. Walker Kessler (No. 16 in 2020 class; C, 6-11, 220, Landmark Christian/Fairburn, Georgia)
19. Michael Foster (No. 6 in 2021 class; PF, 6-9, 220, Hillcrest Prep/Milwaukee)
20. Chet Holmgren (No. 7 in 2021 class, C, 7-0, 175, Minnehaha Academy/Minneapolis)
21. Sharife Cooper (No. 19 in 2020 class; PG, 6-0, 160, McEachern/Powder Springs, Georgia)
22. Jabari Smith (No. 10 in 2021 class; PF, 6-8, 190, Sandy Creek/Tyrone, Georgia)
23. Jalen Suggs (No. 12 in 2020 class; PG, 6-4, 195, Minnehaha Academy/Minneapolis)
24. Jaemyn Brakefield (No. 17 in 2020 class, 6-8, 215, Huntington Prep/Huntington, West Virginia)
25. Isaiah Jackson (No. 14 in 2020 class, 6-8, 180, Waterford Mott/Pontiac, Michigan)