The basketball early signing period is officially over, meaning recruiting takes something of a backseat as the 2024-25 college season fully comes into focus. While no top-20 prospects announced their commitment during the window, a slew of ESPN 100 recruits did make decisions -- and a top-10 star committed right after the period -- leading to big changes in the class rankings.
Houston rises fast with big additions: Houston moved into the top 10 after the signing of top-25 point guard Kingston Flemings early in the signing period, but the Cougars still had two big targets on their board: Koa Peat and Chris Cenac Jr. And while the period came and went without either player committing, Cenac announced his decision the Tuesday after it ended, becoming Houston's highest-ranked recruit since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. He's the No. 1 center in the class and should enter college as a projected lottery pick in the 2026 NBA draft. The Cougars are likely out of the mix for Peat now, but Kelvin Sampson still has an elite four-man class with three top-25 recruits.
SMU sits among the recruiting powerhouses: Plenty of the usual suspects sit at or near the top of the top 10 recruiting classes. Blueblood programs are all inside the top seven, as is John Calipari -- the best recruiter of the past 15 years. But right in the middle of that group is a surprising name: SMU. The Mustangs are in their first season under Andy Enfield, in their first year in the ACC, but they now have four ESPN 100 prospects in the fold after B.J. Davis-Ray committed during the early signing period.
Who can catch Duke atop the rankings? Duke has a pretty strong position atop the class rankings, with a pair of five-star commitments in twin brothers Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer, as well as top-35 prospects Shelton Henderson and Nikolas Khamenia. But the Blue Devils' No. 1 ranking isn't set in stone, especially with seven of the top 12 prospects in the 2025 class still yet to decide. (More on that in a minute.) If Jon Scheyer reels in Nate Ament, the debate is likely over. But, if he goes elsewhere, the door is open for another school to finish at No. 1. There's Kentucky, which would move up if it landed Caleb Wilson. How close could Arizona get if it lands Peat and Brayden Burries? Or Notre Dame if it pulls off a coup and gets Ament? On top of that, could Houston, UConn or Arkansas make a late move in the spring after coaching changes and reclassifications add more players to the board?
Several big names still yet to decide: As mentioned, there are still several uncommitted high-level players near the top of the ESPN 100 that will dictate how the class rankings ultimately finish. Top prospect A.J. Dybantsa (No. 1) should choose between BYU, North Carolina, Kansas State, Alabama and others soon, while Ament (No. 4) is still shuffling through his schools. Caleb Wilson (No. 5) doesn't seem far from a commitment, with Kentucky and UNC strongly in the mix. Same with Peat (No. 6), who has Arizona, Houston, Baylor and Arizona State on his list. Two other top-12 recruits still on the board are Burries (No. 11) and Mikel Brown Jr. (No. 12). LSU, Tennessee and Houston are battling for Cenac; Arizona, Tennessee, USC and Alabama are involved with Burries; and Louisville and Alabama are among those fighting for Brown.
Let's take a look at the top 10 classes after the early signing period.
Note: Class rankings are determined by a mathematical formula weighting different factors related to the quality and quantity of players in the class.
1. Duke Blue Devils
Pre-signing-window ranking: 1
Top recruit: Cameron Boozer (No. 2)
Jon Scheyer continues to keep Duke at the top of the recruiting pecking order. He had to work harder than initially perceived for the commitments of Cameron Boozer (No. 2) and Cayden Boozer (No. 17), the sons of former Duke big man and NBA veteran Carlos Boozer, but ultimately beat out Miami for the twins. The Boozer brothers bring winning pedigree after incredibly decorated high school careers. Shelton Henderson (No. 30) is a big-bodied wing, while Nikolas Khamenia (No. 35) has boosted his stock with his performances on the USA Basketball circuit. The Blue Devils also remain involved with top-five prospect Nate Ament.
2. Houston Cougars
Pre-signing-window ranking: NR
Top recruit: Chris Cenac Jr.
Kelvin Sampson landed the program's highest-ranked recruit of the modern era and in doing so has signed his backcourt of the future. Chris Cenac Jr. (No. 7) was one of the biggest breakout stars in the country last spring and then dominated at multiple events in the summer. Isiah Harwell (No. 14) committed in September, becoming just the second five-star prospect to pick the Cougars since 2012. He's a poised guard who is adept as a playmaker but can also make shots from the perimeter. Harwell will pair with Kingston Flemings (No. 21), the No. 1 player in the state of Texas. Flemings is a quick point guard who loves to beat his defender and get into the paint, where he can finish in traffic or create for a teammate. In-state four-star guard Bryce Jackson has also signed with Houston.
3. UConn Huskies
Pre-signing-window ranking: 2
Top recruit: Darius Adams (No. 19)
Winning back-to-back national championships is a nice recruiting pitch. The Huskies have already landed three top-25 recruits: Darius Adams (No. 19), Eric Reibe (No. 23) and Braylon Mullins (No. 24). It's the first time since the ESPN recruiting database started in 2007 that UConn has multiple top-25 recruits in the same class. Adams can play both guard spots, while Mullins is one of the elite shooters in the class. Reibe, a left-handed 7-footer, is a skilled big man and the No. 2 center in the country. Dan Hurley also landed skilled Australia native Jacob Furphy.
4. Arkansas Razorbacks
Pre-signing-window ranking: 3
Top recruit: Darius Acuff (No. 8)
John Calipari is accustomed to getting elite recruiting classes, and will continue to do so in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are the only program with multiple top-10 recruits right now, with Darius Acuff (No. 8) and Meleek Thomas (No. 9) both committed. Acuff, the best point guard in the 2025 class, became the 16th five-star point guard to commit to Calipari since 2009. Thomas, a big-time scorer, announced for the Razorbacks just before the signing period. These two should form an incredibly dynamic backcourt for Arkansas next season.
5. SMU Mustangs
Pre-signing-window ranking: 6
Top recruit: Jaden Toombs (No. 38)
Andy Enfield built a competitive team for Year 1 in the ACC -- also his first year as the Mustangs' head coach -- but he's bringing his high school recruiting success at USC to Dallas. The Mustangs have four ESPN 100 prospects already committed: Jaden Toombs (No. 38), Nigel Walls (No. 62), Jermaine O'Neal (No. 88) -- and, after the early signing period, B.J. Davis-Ray (No. 69). Toombs' elite rebounding ability should translate early to the college level; Walls needs to physically develop but has a high ceiling; and O'Neal can make plays at both ends of the floor. Davis-Ray brings a wide array of offensive skills.
6. Kentucky Wildcats
Pre-signing-window ranking: 4
Top recruit: Jasper Johnson (No. 13)
Mark Pope is never going to be John Calipari on the recruiting trail, but he doesn't need to be -- and he's answered a lot of questions about his ability to recruit high-level high school prospects with this recruiting class. There were some things working in the Wildcats' favor: five-star guard Jasper Johnson (No. 13) is from Lexington, Malachi Moreno (No. 37) is another in-state recruit. But Pope still had to fight off big-time competition, particularly for Johnson. Meanwhile, Acaden Lewis (No. 28), out of Washington D.C., is one of the best point guards nationally.
7. Kansas Jayhawks
Pre-signing-window ranking: NR
Top recruit: Darryn Peterson (No. 3)
After entering the month of November without a single commitment in 2025, Bill Self and Kansas had a fantastic three-week surge that vaulted the Jayhawks into the rankings. The first domino was the best of the group, with elite guard Darryn Peterson (No. 3) choosing the Jayhawks over the likes of Ohio State, Kansas State and USC. He's the best guard in the 2025 class and one of the best scorers in high school basketball. Peterson will be joined in Lawrence by top-30 forward Bryson Tiller (No. 26), one of the most physically-gifted players in the class. Fast-rising forward Samis Calderon and two-sport star Jaden Nickens round out the quartet.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Pre-signing-window ranking: 5
Top recruit: Jalen Haralson (No. 10)
If and when Micah Shrewsberry gets things going in South Bend, he's going to look back on late September 2024 as the week that took the Irish to a new level. Within a five-day span, the Fighting Irish landed three ESPN 100 commitments, including the program's highest-ranked prospect in the modern era. It started on a Monday with Brady Koehler (No. 98), followed by the big target: top-10 recruit Jalen Haralson (No. 10), the best boys' high school player in the state of Indiana. Notre Dame beat out Indiana for Haralson. Two days later, ESPN 100 wing Ryder Frost (No. 97) committed. Three-star center Tommy Ahneman rounded out the group before the month ended.
9. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Pre-signing-window ranking: 10
Top recruit: King Grace (No. 67)
With a top-10 class coming out of the early signing period -- landing the top-ranked player in the state of Mississippi in the process -- Chris Jans continues the momentum started by back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. The aforementioned in-state prospect is Jamarion Davis-Fleming (No. 94), who can block shots at a high rate and run the floor in transition. But the best player in the class is King Grace (No. 67), a terrific scorer who can get points at all three levels. Center Tee Bartlett (No. 82) announced for the Bulldogs during the early period, while four-star wing Cameren Paul is also committed.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide
Pre-signing-window ranking: NR
Top recruit: Davion Hannah (No. 22)
The third new school to enter the class rankings after the early signing period, Nate Oats and Alabama secured a spot when top-25 prospect Davion Hannah (No. 22) picked the Crimson Tide over Cincinnati, Missouri and Ohio State. Hannah is aggressive, he gets to the free-throw line at a high rate and he is effective in the open floor. He joins a group that includes four-star prospects London Jemison (No. 48) and Amari Allen. Jemison is a versatile wing who continues to progress as a perimeter shooter, while Allen can also make shots from deep and should provide depth early.