We haven’t even crowned a college basketball champion for 2026 (spoiler: It’s gonna be Illinois), and yet some of us are already looking toward 2027 March Madness.
That’s what watching the top high school boys basketball players from the 2025-26 season at the 2026 McDonald’s All-American Game will do to you.
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Hope everyone got a shot to see these lauded boys and girls on Tuesday. Many of these five-star recruits will be playing during March Madness 2027, so it’s better to know them now before they become household names before next year’s college basketball season tips off and leads to the 2027 NCAA Tournament.
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Let’s look at basketball’s bright future and the players who stood out on prep basketball’s big stage.
Editor’s note: The rankings are a consensus of high school writers and evaluators from ESPN, Yahoo, The Sporting News, 247 Sports, and On3 Sports.
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Tyran Stokes, SF, 6-7 (Uncommitted)
Smooth small forward Stokes, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, finished with 12 points (5 of 13 from the field), nine rebounds, and three assists in the West’s McDonald’s game.
He’s going to make one of these teams (Kansas, Kentucky, or Oregon), the three finalists for his services, very happy soon.
The Ducks, who finished 12-20 last season, would be an instant March Madness team with Stokes aboard.
Caleb Holt, PG/SG, 6-5 (Arizona)
Whatever happens with Arizona this Saturday/Monday, the Wildcats will still be dynamite next season. Yes, even without key players from this year’s Final Four squad. And, yes, even if head coach Tommy Floyd takes the North Carolina head coaching job — I don’t think he will.
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That’s because of Holt, a combo guard with a 6-foot-9 wingspan who’s a demon defensively. He’ll slip into the role left by Brayden Burries, who will leave Tucson to become a top-10 NBA Draft pick this June.
If Holt continues to improve offensively, he could be the best freshman next season and the possible No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Anthony Thompson, SF, 6-7 (Ohio State)
He has a 7-foot-4 wingspan but he’s valued most for this shooting stroke. The lefty is silky with deep range. He is the Buckeyes’ first McDonald’s All-American since D’Angelo Russell.
By himself, he can lead Ohio State back to the NCAA Tournament in 2027.
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Jordan Smith Jr., SF, 6-7 (Arkansas)
Arkansas coach John Calipari has signed two of the country’s top 12 recruits: Smith Jr. and fellow wing JJ Andrews.
Even with the inevitable departure of fabulous Darius Acuff Jr. to this year’s NBA Draft, the Razorbacks will be great again next season and a serious Final Four threat.
Bruce Branch III, 6-7, SF (BYU)
Branch will become BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa 2.0 after the latter likely becomes the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Branch is strong, rangy, and a disruptive defender with a reported 7-foot-1 wingspan.
He also has a nice touch and feel for the game.
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Not to worry, BYU fans. The Cougars, behind Branch, will be back dancin’ next March.
Cam Williams, PF, 6-11 (Duke)
Cam Williams will be Duke’s newest freshman phenom next season, but he’s not as polished as Cooper Flagg or Cameron Boozer.
What he is, though, is a big who can shoot.
His upside is incredible as he headlines Duke’s No. 1 overall recruiting class.
That consolation may help the Blue Devils temporarily stop thinking about their recent Elite Eight collapse against UConn.
Jason Crowe Jr., PG, 6-3 (Missouri)
Missouri coach Dennis Gates has surprisingly put together a top-10 recruiting class that’s led by Crowe Jr. (co-MVP of the McDonald’s game) and 6-9 power forward Toni Bryant. The pair looked great Tuesday night.
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Think about this: Crowe Jr. is the all-time leading scorer in California boys basketball history.
The Tigers will advance past the first round of the NCAA Tournament next March.
Book it.
Conclusion
These are just some of the names from this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game that are most likely to develop into stars.
Check out this year’s top freshmen coming to a TV screen near you this autumn and impress all of your basketball junkie friends by telling them you knew about him first.
Next thing you know, it will be 2027 and time for March Madness all over again.
