High School Basketball: There is no better time to catch up on grassroots and high school basketball and start anticipating the best talent coming down the pipeline than now when the NBA and college basketball schedules are in their August slump. This is the third time I’ve ranked the top high school basketball prospects for the NBA on this website.
Nine of the ten players on the list when I completed this exercise in 2015 ended up getting chosen in the lottery for the NBA draught. In retrospect, De’Aaron Fox (No. 8 on the list), who was immediately behind Jayson Tatum (No. 6 on the list), was by far the greatest player.
Since my previous ranking of high school basketball prospects using an NBA perspective, a lot has happened. The NBA’s development squad for elite talents who wish to forego college basketball, the G League Ignite, didn’t even exist. Now that the programme has produced four lottery choices in the previous three years and will be home to the predicted top two talents in the 2024 NBA Draught, the Ignite seems like the best choice for elite athletes.
At this moment, it’s also well acknowledged that top NBA players may originate from any country. Both Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, two of the top players in the game right now, were born and raised overseas. Victor Wembanyama and Luka Doncic also complied.
Read this full article to know the current top high school basketball NBA players.
The Current Top 11 High School Basketball NBA Prospects
However, more NBA players are still being produced by the grassroots structure of the American shoe industry than anywhere else in the world. Here is our ranking of the top high school basketball players who have long-term basketball potential.
1) Cooper Flagg, F, Montverde Academy (FL)/Maine United
Cooper Flagg is now the finest playmaker in high school basketball, albeit perhaps not in the traditional sense. Yes, Flagg is an excellent passer for his position; in fact, at the moment, it could be his best offensive skill. However, most of what makes him so enticing is not just his capacity to present possibilities for his teammates. When it comes to designing defensive plays, Flagg stands out. With a wingspan of 7 feet and a height of 6’9, Flagg has the rare ability to quickly scan the floor and use his strong physical qualities to yank the ball away from rivals.
From the four spots, he excels as a rim protector, displaying explosiveness with the ball, outstanding technical skill in maintaining verticality, and amazing hand-eye coordination to knock the ball away. When he was 15 years old and competing in the U17 FIBA World Cup, he put on a defensive masterclass, finishing with eight thefts, four blocks, 17 rebounds, and 13 points in the gold medal game victory against Spain. At the opposite end of the floor, he has only grown more energetic since then.
On offence, Flagg is a strong play-finisher, a fantastic connecting passer, a developing NBA range shooter, and a developing ball-handling playmaker. His enormous influence is mostly due to his domineering mix of size and agility. Flagg is a terrific finisher who can flush a dunk whether he is the roll man or the cutter. His height and shrewd passing will help him look over the top of defenders and make the appropriate reads as he learns how to play the handler side of the pick-and-roll as well. He performs best as a scorer when he uses his muscles to create space around the hoop.
When Flagg’s team can more easily acquire possessions after defensive rebounds thanks to his grab-and-go abilities, he can be a lot of fun in transition. Even though his shooting is still developing, he has displayed considerable potential this season in the EYBL, making 34.3 percent of his three-point attempts (on 67 attempts) and 83.6 percent of his free throw attempts (on 159 attempts).
Although there are players with deeper and more remarkable one-on-one scoring arsenals, Flagg is the top NBA prospect in the world right now outside of the league thanks to his outstanding team defence, well-rounded offensive style, tenacity, and intelligence.
2. Cameron Boozer, F, Columbus High School (FL)/Nightrydas
Both of Carlos Boozer’s twin kids, Cameron and Cayden, are five-star prospects with aspirations of playing in the NBA, but Cameron emerged as the genetic lottery winner, outgrowing his sibling by six inches. A strong 6’9 forward, Cameron Boozer plays more like more recent Duke alums Paolo Banchero, Jayson Tatum, and Brandon Ingram due to his ease on the wing. His father was a conventional power forward. Boozer’s ability to combine scoring and playmaking in a large body makes him a force on offence. With the ball in his hands, he can take off quickly, and when he gets to the basket, he has the muscle to finish inside.
Boozer’s scoring puts a lot of pressure on opposition defences, which makes it easier for him to pass, which is quite advanced for a player his age. Boozer can lob dime after dime against a predetermined defence. His NBA potential is as a huge offensive initiator, but he can also play off the ball. In the EYBL this season, he made 88.2 percent of his free throws (on 76 tries) and 40 percent of his three-point attempts (on 50).
The best part is that Boozer’s brand of celebrity has already demonstrated that it has a significant influence on success, as seen by his back-to-back state championships at Columbus High in Miami, his victory at The Throne against other premier national high schools, and his gold medal with USA Basketball’s FIBA U16 Americas team. Any athlete of this sort of stature and ability would be regarded as a potential No. 1 overall NBA draught choice, and Cameron Boozer should be just that in 2026 when he becomes eligible.
You might also be interested in reading this: Predictions for Teams Following NBA 2023–24 Season
3. A.J. Dybantsa, G/F, Prolific Prep (CA)/Expressions Elite
A.J. Dybantsa was making his presence known on the 17U level despite having just finished his freshman year of high school, while the top two players on our list were competing at the 16U level on the grassroots circuit throughout the summer. Okay, so Dybantsa, a recruit for the class of 2026, is just one month younger than Cooper Flagg, a top player from the class of 2024, but it doesn’t lessen his supremacy at Peach Jam. At the annual EYBL flagship tournament, Dybantsa had the highest scoring average among all participants, establishing himself as a potential future No. 1 overall NBA draught choice. He has a strong argument for being the best player on this list.
Dybantsa, a 6’8″ wing who was up in a suburb of Boston, is a monster on the offensive glass. In the wide floor, where he can use his mix of speed and jumping to put pressure on the basket and impress judges with some breathtaking above-the-rim finishes, his handling appears evolved beyond his years. Even if the percentages aren’t great currently, his three-point shooting appears projectable (18-of-55 from three for 32.7 percent in EYBL regular season action), and he also makes between 80 and 90 percent of his free throws.
The big wing who can make plays with the ball in his hands and open up defences with his jumper is the most sought-after archetype in the contemporary game, and Dybantsa — who this summer received mentoring from Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James — fits that description well. The greatest story of the high school summer is his transfer to Prolific Prep, where he will team up with Tyran Stokes in the upcoming season. To compete with Cameron Boozer for the first choice in the 2026 NBA Draught, expect him to reclassify to 2025 shortly.
4. Tyran Stokes, F, Prolific Prep (CA)/Vegas Elite
Tyran Stokes, who was born in October 2007 but won’t be 16 until the autumn, is already a whole package. Stokes, who is listed at 6’7″ and 215 pounds, plays with amazing raw power that results in much more than simply viral dunk moments. The Louisville native, who played two years older than he should have, had a successful role on a Vegas Elite team that reached the Peach Jam finals. He established himself as a dangerous rim scorer, a deft passer with excellent vision, and a formidable team defender. With his ability to finish over and through contact in close with genuine jumps that dangle in front of overmatched defenders with each drive, Stokes is a goods train barreling towards the basket.
His passing skills are what elevate him to the next level; in the EYBL, he displayed some terrific live dribble passing readings and is already adept at using the prospect of his goal to create space for an open teammate. Stokes is also already a top-tier defender, displaying fast feet, composure, and a sixth feel for how to take the ball away as a help defender while attacking. In eight games at Peach Jam, he recorded 20 thefts and frequently rushed into the passing lanes to convert defence into transition offence.
For a player whose physique is already considerably more developed than that of his contemporaries, there is always some risk in long-term projection, but Stokes’ intelligence, selflessness, and elite athleticism make me feel comfortable with him at No. 4. Stokes is the (very, very) early front-runner to be the No. 1 choice in the 2027 NBA Draught, assuming the following player on this list reclassifies.
5. Jayden Quaintance, C, Word of God (NC)/Team Thad/Team Loaded
Although Quaintance has a lot of potential, he has only begun to tap into it. With time, he might develop into the kind of adaptable big man that every club wants. At 6’9 or 6’10, Quaintance is a little undersized for a centre but still projects as a long, muscular inside force who can defend the paint and has shown some intriguing attacking abilities. Quaintance is a scary shot blocker who assaults drivers with long arms and a powerful foundation, but he can also remain in front of ball handlers with surprising agility on the perimeter. The selling point here is coverage versatility meeting raw strength at the rim.
Quaintance loves to slam anything in close when playing offensively, and he typically succeeds in doing so because of his swift rise to the air and exceptional height over the rim. The fact that he doesn’t hesitate to shoot is optimistic for his long-term growth, even though his shooting statistics on the EYBL from the three-point line and the free-throw line were rather poor. He may have more one-on-one scoring punch than most bigs of his calibre thanks to some genuine glimpses of ball-handling talent as well. Quaintance only turned 16 in July, yet she has already been moved forward to 2024. Early indicators point to a big guy in the mould of Jalen Duren, which should entice evaluators.
6. Koa Peat, F, Perry High (AZ)/Compton Magic
Sometimes it seems like Koa Peat’s aggressive play on both ends of the floor would be more fitting for a football player. There is no doubt about that; in addition to having a brother who is now playing football at Arizona State, he also has a father and brother who both played in the NFL. Whether he’s utilising his power to create space as a driver, outmuscling opponents on the offensive glass, or pushing his thick chest into ball handlers to block driving lanes, Peat’s bulky 6’7, 215-pound physique can dole out punishment in a number of ways. The outcomes thus far are incontestable: Prior to Peat enrolling, Perry High School had never won an Arizona state title, but now they have won two in succession.
If two more gold medals earned with USA Basketball’s U16 and U17 teams the previous two summers are taken into account, Peat’s resume may compete with that of any player in the country, even though he is still just 16 years old.
Regardless matter the level of competition, Peat’s physicality is evident throughout the whole film. He doesn’t have a lot of wiggles while handling the ball, but he can separate himself from defenders on drives by nudging them out of position. He is a great offensive rebounder in particular. Peat can block driving lanes with his big size when playing defence, move over from the strong side to add extra rim protection and finish possessions by slamming the glass.
His outside shot is his swing technique, and even though he now lacks both volume and accuracy from deep, the ball still looks excellent coming out of his hand. He no longer needs to depend just on raw power thanks to the growth of his passing and outside shot. Peat, who is only 16 years old, has one of the brightest prospects in high school basketball since his skill set has plenty of time to catch up with his body.
7. Darryn Peterson, G, Huntington Prep (WV)/Phenom U
Darryn Peterson has the trait that all great shot-makers possess in common: the ability to make shots that are really challenging appear simple. Peterson, a tall 6’5″ combo guard from Northeast Ohio, has one of the most sophisticated scoring repertoires in high school basketball. Peterson is a deft ball handler who can shrug from a defender by changing the tempo in any direction. He frequently subsists on a diet of challenging pull-ups and floaters inside the arc, but he is still physically capable of dunking through traffic when an opportunity arises.
Even if the early returns on his spot-up shooting stats are a little sketchy, he should project as a significant scoring threat off the ball since he can get away from his defender off screens and possesses a nice shot. Using his long arms to pick the pockets of ball handlers and unleash his incredible open-floor scoring ability, Peterson also projects well defensively. On this list, there are a lot of lockdown defenders, yet even they all would struggle to control Peterson in an island situation. He earns a position on our list because to his deft shot conception and excellent shooting technique.
8. V.J. Edgecombe, G, Long Island Lutheran (NY)/Austin Rivers Select
Every time he drives, V.J. Edgecombe poses a danger to put potential rim protectors on a billboard. The Bahamas-born, 6’6″ wing from New York City possesses the ideal physical tools to attack the basket with an incredibly fast first step, dazzling open-court speed, and excellent jumping around the rim. He comes close to being the best downhill rim pressure danger on this list. Even if his skill level is still coming up to his body, Edgecombe’s performance in elite settings has helped him go from a four-star recruit to one of the most potential long-term prospects in the nation. In spite of a lengthy, sluggish release, his jump shot looks solid off the grab.
With fast hands and precisely timed strikes at the ball, he may accumulate thefts. Even though he profiles as more of a secondary maker over the long run, he seems to read the floor effectively. Edgecombe is still developing his skills as a driver and finisher, but scouts at the top levels of the game are drawn to him because of his explosiveness off the ground.
9. Dylan Harper, G, Don Bosco (NJ)/New York Rens
Dylan Harper, the younger brother of current Rutgers great Ron Harper Jr. and the son of former NBA star Ron Harper, is a composed and polished guard who is included on this list more for current performance than for potential in the future. Harper, a left-handed guard who stands 6’5″ and has a substantial build, is skilled at finishing with finesse and has a long pull-up jump shot. With his large frame and reputed 6’10 wingspan, Harper can wall up driving lanes defensively. Although his lack of top physical burst may ultimately prevent him from being a key creator, his remarkable sense of the game and well-rounded skill set allow him to play a number of roles. That strategy often works.
10. Caleb Wilson, F, Holy Innocents (GA)/Georgia Stars
Some athletes just go into the gym with the NBA look. Caleb Wilson fits the model. The 6’10 big from Atlanta had a breakthrough season as a rising junior on the Nike EYBL circuit thanks to his size, athletic fluidity, scoring skill, and shot-blocking ability. Wilson’s body and game are still evolving, but it’s not difficult to picture his potential as a huge big who can stretch the floor, attack closeouts, and offer further rim protection. Wilson floats over the vast floor with his long strides and the footwork required to change into Eurosteps when trying to score.
Even though just 10-of-57 of his long shots were successful, he improved as the season went on and the increased volume is encouraging. Wilson is most fascinating on defence, where he finished top-10 in the EYBL in blocks and top-five in rebounds, demonstrating that despite having a small stature, he wasn’t afraid to confront bigger players physically. Wilson’s shooting will be his game-changing ability, but he claims that in the long run, he sees himself as a wing and is working hard to get better there. Wilson has already had offers from every prestigious college basketball programme, thus his inclusion on this list is a risk to his aptitude, style, and future potential.
11. Alijah Arenas, G, Chatsworth High School (CA)/Compton Magic
Across the nation, there are more seasoned players with stronger résumés, but Alijah Arenas is the wildcard selection to fill out this list for a couple of reasons. As the son of Gilbert Arenas, scoring buckets runs in the family, so that’s a good place to start. The 16-year-old seems to be a little bit taller than his grandfather already, and he has the scoring gene as evidenced by his 30 points per game average as a freshman for Chatsworth High School basketball in LA last season. Arenas uses a combination of long threes, quick pull-up jumpers, and deft ball handling to surgically attack defences from the perimeter.
Due to all the counters Arenas has available, it might feel difficult at times to stop him. Just when you think he’s stopped, he manages to shake free and get off an easy look at the rim. The fact that he earned All-Underclassman honours with the Compton Magic on the Adidas circuit this summer while competing against players two years older than him suggests that his output thus far is in line with his potential. Arenas’ advanced scoring capabilities are enough to keep him in this position for now, but in order to become a complete player, he will ultimately need to demonstrate his ability to defend and assist.
So these are the current top 11 high school basketball NBA prospects. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
