Few recruiting cycles feature this much top-end talent. Even to the end, the battle for No. 1 in the 2025 class -- and the debate about where this group stacks up among the most impressive classes in recent memory -- was strong.
A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer lead a group that boasts elite top-end talent -- that hasn't changed since the beginning of the season. What did was the emergence of quality depth, along with a handful of players who have shown potential for long NBA careers.
Here's how the latest ESPN 100 came together, including which names are climbing the fastest. See the final 2025 ESPN 100 here.
The No. 1 race
With three compelling cases for the top spot, this year's race for No. 1 was a photo finish, without question the toughest decision to make this year. All three candidates have built a long track record of consistency across the high school and grassroots circuit.
No. 1 A.J. Dybantsa
Previous ranking: 1 | 6-9 | small forward | Utah Prep (UT) | Committed to BYU
Dybantsa's high school journey took him from Massachusetts to California and finished in Utah. Along the way, he delivered some of the most impactful performances in the country and helped USA Basketball win a gold medal last summer.
Dybantsa brings Tracy McGrady or LeBron James-level skills to BYU. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, he covers ground with long strides and sprinter speed. His explosiveness allows him to finish in tight spaces and slide his feet with lateral quickness. He makes a two-way impact with his physical tools, scoring skills and passing. Defensively, he's a switchable weapon capable of guarding bigger players or staying in front of smaller, quicker guards -- a major plus in today's game.
AJ Dybantsa AND-1 to get Team USA on the board 🔥
— NBA Future Starts Now (@nbafuturenow) April 13, 2025
Watch #NikeHoopSummit LIVE NOW on USA Network and Peacock 📺 pic.twitter.com/jA8pBJppJd
A gifted scorer, rebounder and finisher, Dybantsa's competitiveness and communication stand out more. He knows when to take over on the court, but he'll also need to make some adjustments to his game -- like becoming a more consistent 3-point shooter and efficient overall scorer, especially considering shot selection and turnovers are even more paramount in college. Dybantsa's three-level scoring ability makes him difficult to defend: He shot 35.5% over on 3s and 47% in isolations, according to Synergy Sports.
Still, no one has more star potential than Dybantsa. He's on the path to becoming the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft and an eventual NBA All-Star. It'd be risky to leave him anywhere but the top of the board.
No. 2 Darryn Peterson
Previous ranking: 2 | 6-6 | shooting guard | Prolific Prep (OH) | Committed to Kansas
Peterson pushed hard for the top spot, and would be the top prospect in most classes. He'll be a productive college player right away. Bill Self will hand him the keys as his lead guard and, at times, can move him off the ball with roster-building in mind. He brings a 6-11 wingspan to the defensive end of the floor.
Peterson plays fearlessly and with a constant edge. He's poised beyond his years operating ball screens and reading back-line defensive coverages. He might be the best scorer in the class, shooting 50% out of ball screen actions. He's a bigger guard with the kinds of intangibles that typically fare well in college, and he'll push Dybantsa next year in the race for both player of the year and 2026 No. 1 pick.
No. 3 Cameron Boozer
Previous ranking: 3 | 6-9 | power forward | Christopher Columbus (FL) | Committed to Duke
The Duke commit is this class's ultimate winner. When it comes to both individual accolades and team championships, Boozer has the most decorated high school career in recent memory. Unsurprisingly, the son of former Duke great and NBA star Carlos Boozer carries himself like a pro with a work ethic and maturity that translates directly to his winning style, passing, IQ and rebounding. He'll make an immediate impact as the Blue Devils chase a return to the Final Four. Boozer has earned the respect of everyone in the game -- especially NBA scouts -- as a future high-lottery pick.
The best shotmakers of 2025
Shooting remains at a high premium. These are the best 3-point shooters based on a combination of analytics and the eye test.
No. 17 Braylon Mullins
Previous ranking: 14 | 6-4 | shooting guard | Greenfield Central (IN) | Committed to UConn
The Indiana native made 246 career 3s and shot 48% from deep this past season at Greenfield High School.
UConn signee Braylon Mullins of Greenfield-Central (IN) WENT OFF for 25 PTS, leading his team to the sectional championship. 😤🔥@CougarHoops2 I @mullins_braylon pic.twitter.com/AQTyw2osLa
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) March 8, 2025
No. 24 Matt Able
Previous ranking: 31 | 6-5 | shooting guard | The Sagemont School (FL) | Committed to NC State
Originally committed to Miami, the 6-5 Florida native impressed at Hoop Exchange and brings immediate shotmaking to Raleigh. His readiness and opportunity to make a quick impact under new coach Will Wade make him one of the best long-range shooters in the class.
.@LouisvilleMBB bound Mikel Brown has been impossible to stay in front of at the Nike Hoop Summit‼️
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 12, 2025
NBA teams love his slippery hesi game, per @DraftExpress. pic.twitter.com/PkX8kzAxMg
No. 3 Cameron Boozer
Previous ranking: 3 | 6-9 | power forward | Christopher Columbus (FL) | Committed to Duke
The 6-9 forward hit 40% of his triples as a senior and went 8-for-15 at the Chipotle Nationals. He's a major threat both inside and behind the arc.
No. 54 Derek Dixon
Previous ranking: 52 | 6-3 | shooting guard | Gonzaga College (DC) | Committed to North Carolina
Dixon shot 41% from distance last summer and 38% during the high school season. The Tar Heels desperately need an outside threat like him on the roster.
No. 8 Mikel Brown Jr.
Previous ranking: 8 | 6-3 | point guard | DME Academy (FL) | Committed to Louisville
A high-volume shooter with Trae Young-type range, he shot 40% on 11 attempts from beyond the arc per game at DME Academy, per Synergy Sports.
Winters Grady rattles in a 3️⃣ ball for Prolific Prep 🥶@WintersGrady_ I @ProlificPrep I #ChipotleNationals pic.twitter.com/PnG54McJlq
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 4, 2025
No. 4 Nate Ament
Previous ranking: 4 | 6-9 | small forward | Highland School (VA) | Uncommitted
The top remaining uncommitted player, the 6-10 shotmaker passes both the visual and analytical tests. Ament is a fluid shooter whether he's spotting up or on the move, and he's emerging as a top lottery pick in 2026.
Keep an eye on No. 26 Shon Abaev (Cincinnati), No. 79 Ryder Frost (Notre Dame), No. 86 Winters Grady (Michigan) and No. 73 Zach Kinziger (Wisconsin) as well.
Risers and new additions
No. 9 Tounde Yessoufou
Previous ranking: 15 | 6-5 | small forward | Saint Joseph (CA) | Committed to Baylor
Yessoufou moves up following a dominant finish to his high school career. He opened the eyes of NBA personnel at the McDonald's All American Game and Nike Hoop Summit with his constant energy, explosiveness and power at the rim -- not to mention his infectious personality and improved shooting.
No. 33 Jaden Toombs
Previous ranking: 37 | 6-9 | center | Dynamic Prep (TX) | Committed to SMU
No. 80 Jermaine O'Neal Jr.
Previous ranking: 100 | 6-4 | small forward | Dynamic Prep (TX) | Committed to SMU
The Mustangs have a pair of commits who made notable improvement. Toombs is a back-to-the-basket scoring presence who should grab double-digit rebounds and has worked on his face-up game. O'Neal also fared well at the Chipotle Nationals and is a talented team player.
No. 86 Winters Grady
Previous ranking: Unranked | 6-6 | small forward | Prolific Prep (OH) | Committed to Michigan
Grady enters the rankings for the first time after shooting 42% from behind the arc as a senior at Prolific Prep. He's a competitive, smart player for Dusty May's new regime in Ann Arbor.
No. 81 Braydon Hawthorne
Previous ranking: Unranked | 6-8 | small forward | Huntington Prep (WV) | Uncommitted
Hawthorne is another new addition. His 7-3 wingspan and upside grab attention, and his production is catching up to his potential, according to Huntington assistant coach Dustin Woody. Hawthorne is looking at Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Texas and Pitt.
Where does this class rank?
When it comes to the best classes of the past decade, this class stacks up favorably with the 2024 and 2020 classes.
The 2025 class certainly has an argument for the top spot because it brings star power, depth and the potential for unexpected risers. Keep an eye on No. 21 Cornelius Ingram Jr. and No. 24 Matt Able. They're both outside the top 20 but could have long professional careers with the right development.
Ranking the classes is a fun eye test and a hard study, especially without knowing how the future will unfold for this 2025 group. But after comparing high school production, projecting college impact and weighing NBA potential, the current high school class slots in at No. 2 behind the class of 2020.
Yes, it's easy to look at past classes that benefited from a full college career and professional accomplishments. But Jalen Green, Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley were stars in high school and still are today.
Even with Cooper Flagg as a true difference-maker, the 2024 group is No. 3 of this trio. The 2025 class has a chance to be even better, thanks to the college readiness and talent of the top five.
With real player commitment and development, expect this year's group to have even more draft picks than 2024's class.
Where is the talent headed?
We know a combination of experience and talent wins college basketball games. The top teams will continue to pair the nation's best recruits with portal transfers along with a mix of returning players.
The SEC has 26 incoming freshmen from the ESPN 100, the most of any conference, headlined by No. 7 Darius Acuff (Arkansas), No. 18 Jasper Johnson (Kentucky), No. 21 Cornelius Ingram Jr. (Florida), No. 42 London Jemison (Alabama) and No. 39 Kaden Magwood (Auburn).
The Big 12 has the most five-star prospects (seven) of any conference. Dybantsa (BYU) and Peterson (Kansas) top the group. Arizona has a pair of five-stars (No. 10 Koa Peat and No. 12 Brayden Burries) as does Houston, with No. 6 Chris Cenac Jr. and No. 14 Isiah Harwell. Baylor's No. 9 Tounde Yessoufou rounds out the list.
The ACC has an injection of talent on the way with 20 ESPN 100 prospects and five five-stars. Duke has the No. 1 class after landing No. 3 Cameron Boozer and No. 16 Cayden Boozer alongside No. 15 Nikolas Khamenia. North Carolina landed No. 5 Caleb Wilson, and Louisville No. 8 Mikel Brown Jr.
The best remaining uncommitted players are No. 4 Nate Ament, who is considering Arkansas, Duke, Louisville, Kentucky and Tennessee; and No. 31 Acaden Lewis, who recently decommitted from Kentucky.