Although it has been a slow time for grassroots basketball -- college coaches are still not allowed to evaluate in-person during the NCAA's extended dead period -- there have been some regional events and a few national ones to monitor. Scouting has been conducted mostly through a virtual lens, but the top players in the game have continued to develop. That brings us to our latest installment of the regardless-of-class top 25 player list. Superstar Emoni Bates continues to occupy the top spot -- no surprise there -- but a lot of shuffling has happened on a list that is now without our Class of 2020 college-freshmen-to-be:
1. Emoni Bates (2022 class, SF, 6-foot-8, 200 pounds, Ypsi Prep Academy/Ypsilanti, Michigan)
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Bates, who holds firm to the No. 1 position, is expected to have a breakout junior campaign after transferring from Lincoln High School to Ypsi Prep Academy. The move will allow Bates to travel outside the state of Michigan during the high school season and compete in national matchups. Bates has an intense approach to go with high-level, proven skills and a super-athletic frame. He verbally committed to Michigan State and is projected as the No. 1 pick whenever he enters the NBA draft.
2. Chet Holmgren (2021 class, C, 7-foot, 183 pounds, Minnehaha Academy/Minneapolis)
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Holmgren is a most unique prospect, a 7-footer with an enormous wingspan who is the ultimate shot-blocker on defense and highly skilled on offense. Holmgren tallied a triple-double vs. Bronny James and a star-studded Sierra Canyon squad and is rapidly becoming more productive. He has ascended to the No. 1 spot in the class of 2021.
3. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (2021 class, PF, 6-foot-9, 200 pounds, Hamilton High School/Sussex, Wisconsin)
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Baldwin is the best-shooting big in the high school game. He changes the game with his long-range jumper, scoring ability and basketball IQ at 6-foot-9. His game is ideal as a screen-and-shoot big man who can space out the defense and make long-range shots from anywhere. He is fundamentality strong, with a shooting prowess similar to that of current Denver Nugget Michael Porter Jr.
4. Paolo Banchero (2021 class, PF, 6-foot-10, 230 pounds, O'Dea High School/Seattle)
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Banchero is a prototypical power forward with quickness, strength and much more. He displays mobility to move and agility in tight spaces, along with outstanding hands and a high-end knowledge for the game. A throwback in many ways, Banchero combines a high skill level with defensive ability and alertness to crush the competition.
5. Jaden Hardy (2021 class, SG, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Coronado High School/Henderson, Nevada)
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Hardy might be the most talented all-around offensive player in the country. He is comfortable and confident with the ball in his hands and can score from anywhere. Hardy's shot-making is becoming a problem for opponents, and he is a better playmaker than people realize. He's a top-five player in the Class of 2021 -- and improving.
6. Jalen Duren (2022 class, C, 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, Montverde Academy (Florida)/Philadelphia)
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Duren possesses a physically imposing frame that punishes most opponents at the high school level. He owns an NBA body with tremendous hands and impressive passing ability. He's adept inside as a finisher and a barrier to the rim defensively. In most classes, Duren would be the No. 1 prospect, but he is currently No. 2 to Bates. Shades of a young Chris Webber?
7. Jabari Smith (2021 class, PF, 6-foot-8, 190 pounds, Sandy Creek High School/Tyrone, Georgia)
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Smith owns a smooth, fluid game with power forward size. He can take defenders inside and score with his jump hook or stand behind the arc for a 3-pointer. Smith has finesse, length and good basketball acumen, and he is a sneaky rim-protector. He also has a terrific frame and big-time genetics, as his dad, Jabari, played at LSU and in the NBA.
8. Michael Foster (2021 class, PF, 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, Hillcrest Prep (Arizona)/Milwaukee)
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With a striking combination of power, strength and scoring ability, Foster has demonstrated assertiveness and aggressiveness within the team game. He rebounds well and will look to block some shots. Foster is too big and talented to be stopped in the paint, and his face-up game only continues to grow. If past progress is a sign of things to come, Foster should take off this season.
9. Moussa Diabate (2021 class, PF, 6-foot-10, 200 pounds, IMG Academy/Bradenton, Florida)
Previous: Unranked
Diabate went from a hard-playing dude who would run the floor, rebound and post up to a power forward who could do all those things but with a short face-up game and ability to drive as well. His defensive versatility is intriguing, given his long frame, and his skill level is as noticeable as his hard-working, mature approach. The possibility of reclassifying to 2020 is still on the table for Diabate.
10. Nate Bittle (2021 class, C, 6-foot-11, 173 pounds, Prolific Prep (CA)/Central Point, Oregon)
Previous: Unranked
Bittle (who announced his transfer to Prolific Prep on Wednesday) is a true stretch big man who can make multiple 3s in a game. His passing vision and accuracy stand out as well as his face-up game at his height. Defensively Bittle challenges, changes and blocks shots, and he is a nightmare for opposing big men to defend. Already known as a coachable player, Bittle has time to reach his potential and has plenty of talent and traits to work with.
11. A.J. Griffin (2021 class, SF, 6-foot-6, 195 pounds, Archbishop Stepinac High School/White Plains, New York)
Previous: Unranked
An athletic marvel with emerging skill, Griffin dominates the game in the paint as a scorer and shot-blocker. He is so tough in the mid-post, and his jumper continues to improve. Griffin's defensive versatility is impressive, and he comes from a family of high-level athletes, including his father, Adrian, who played for a decade in the NBA.
12. Caleb Houstan (2021 class, PF, 6-foot-8, 175 pounds, Montverde Academy/Montverde, Florida)
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Houstan, who recently reclassified to 2021, owns a long frame with a smooth game. He has a knack for putting up numbers while playing under control, and we have seen flashes of true giftedness. Look for Houstan to have a breakout season at Montverde.
13. Aminu Mohammed (2021 class, SG, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Greenwood Laboratory School/Springfield, Missouri)
Previous: Unranked
A strong wing who plays with endless energy, Mohammad competes the entire game and will overpower foes with his penetration into the paint and tough finishes. He gives you a two-way effort and will fight for rebounds. His hometown is Washington, D.C., and he has characteristics of fellow District-area native Victor Oladipo.
14. Kennedy Chandler (2021 class, PG, 6-foot-1, 160 pounds, Sunrise Christian Academy/Memphis, Tennessee)
Previous: Unranked
Chandler has the ability to control the tempo of a game, understands how to create for others and can find teammates in their sweet spots. A master in ball screens, lightning-fast and a terrific on-ball defender, Chandler is a pass-first but not pass-only point guard. He has made a ton of progress on his offensive game and stands as the No. 1 point guard in the rising senior class.
15. Amari Bailey (2022 class, SG, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Sierra Canyon High School/Chatsworth, California)
Previous: Unranked
A big, athletic guard who can play both on and off the ball, Bailey had an outstanding high school season playing as a combination guard. An absolute menace in the transition game, Bailey has a high IQ and strong court awareness in the half-court set. He is one of the few at his level who can deliver an alley-oop pass on target and throw one down. He is a special player.
16. Chris Livingston (2022 class, SF, 6-foot-6, 195 pounds, Akron Buchtel High School/Akron, Ohio)
Previous: Unranked
The first part of Livingston's game that stands out is how hard he plays. He's a slasher who is a streaky shooter at this point in his career, but he scores with a natural feel. Livingston has the talent to put up big scoring numbers and also be effective on the glass. He has plenty of promise -- especially if his jumper comes around -- and his constant energy is a separator.
17. Max Christie (2021 class, SG, 6-foot-7, 170 pounds, Rolling Meadows High School/Rolling Meadows, Illinois)
Previous: Unranked
It's hard to find players at this level with more natural skill than Christie. His displays great offensive confidence on his jumper to go with scoring skills and a basketball IQ that separates him from his peers. He is a high-level wing with positional size who is headed to Michigan State.
18. Brandon Miller (2022 class, SF, 6-foot-6, 180 pounds, Cane Ridge High School/Antioch, Tennessee)
Previous: Unranked
Miller gives the opposition fits, as he gets buckets from all three levels. He is terrific in the mid and low post while being more than capable from behind the arc. Miller has been dominant within his age group and is ready to play a more impactful role against older competition. He's an inside-outside prospect with confidence and personality.
19. Jaden Bradley (2022 class, PG, 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, IMG Academy (Florida)/Concord, North Carolina)
Previous: Unranked
Bradley runs the show, gets everyone involved and can take over a game when needed with his scoring. His shooting opens the floor for his drive game, in which Bradley is a high-end decision-maker. Dedicated to improvement, coachable and mature, Bradley combines his talents with intangible traits.
20. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (2022 class, PF, 6-foot-9, 206 pounds, IMG Academy (Florida)/Clarksville, Tennessee)
Previous: Unranked
Huntley-Hatfield has everything a prospect -- and a recruiter -- could dream of. Physically, he looks the part of a college-ready player. Skill-wise, he shows legitimate versatility as a very good outside shooter and open-floor ball handler, and he displays passing skills that are impressive. If Hatfield plays with constant energy and production, he can be as good as he wants.
21. Dariq Whitehead (2022 class, SG, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds, Montverde Academy/Montverde, Florida)
Previous: Unranked
A tremendous two-way player, Whitehead gives effort on both ends of the floor and has the upside to be one of the better defenders in high school basketball. He is outstanding in the open floor, whether finalizing plays or handling the ball in space. The next step for him is to make open stationary shots and learn how to read and react to screens. As Whitehead's jumper improves, so will his stock.
22. D.J. Wagner (2023 class, PG, 6-foot-3, 165 pounds, Camden Catholic High School/Camden, New Jersey)
Previous: Unranked
The son of former Memphis star Dajuan Wagner and grandson of former Louisville standout Milt Wagner, D.J. is young in age but big in on-court savvy. He plays with the mentality to put away the opposition. He possesses a slight, quick frame, an elusive dribble that leads to a smooth jumper and a scoring touch from anywhere on the floor. He already utilizes the all-important floater, along with the mindset to make the assist in a split second. Wagner is special and a possible third-generation NBA prospect.
23. Jalen Lewis (2023 class, C, 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, Bishop O'Dowd High School/Oakland, California)
Previous: Unranked
It's hard to find rising sophomores with elite size, bounce and scoring skills, but Lewis fits that description. He produces on both ends of the floor with effort, and his hands and footwork are advanced at a young age. Lewis possesses a rare combination of production and potential.
24. Mikey Williams (2023 class, SG, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, San Ysidro High School/San Ysidro, California)
Previous: Unranked
Williams is explosive, with a strong and compact frame. His offensive game is dynamic, he can show style or substance, and it's evident that he loves to play. The open floor is where Williams is most dangerous, with highlight finishes in an area where he can overpower or go over just about anyone. His jumper shows deep range, and his passing vision does not get enough mention. Williams has unwavering confidence, thanks to his work habits.
25. Matt Bewley (2023 class, PF, 6-foot-9, 200 pounds, Northeast High School/Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
Previous: Unranked
Extremely skilled with the natural instincts to play both inside and out, Bewley's versatility combined with his size is eye-popping. He will post and punish a defender inside, or he can take it off the backboard and go. Bewley beats you with finesse and physicality. No. 9 in the most recent ESPN 25 update, his latest performances have his stock skyrocketing, along with his place on this list.