That’s what watching the best high school boys basketball players from the 2025-26 season at the 2026 McDonald’s All-American Game will make you.
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I hope everyone has the opportunity 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 best to get to know them now before they become household names before next year’s college basketball season begins and leads up to the 2027 NCAA Tournament.
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Let’s take a look at the bright future of basketball and the players who excelled on the big stage of prep basketball.
editor’s note: 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 forward Stokes, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, finished with 12 points (5 of 13 from the field), nine rebounds and three assists in the McDonald’s West game.
He will soon make one of these teams (Kansas, Kentucky or Oregon), the three finalists, very happy for his services.
The Ducks, who finished 12-20 last season, would instantly become a March Madness team with Stokes on board.
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 team. And yes, even if head coach Tommy Floyd accepts 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 is a demon on defense. He will assume the role left by Brayden Burries, who will leave Tucson to become a top 10 pick in the NBA Draft this June.
If Holt continues to improve offensively, he could be the top rookie next season and the potential No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Anthony Thompson, SF, 6-7 (Ohio State)
He has a 7-foot-4 wingspan, but is valued more for this shooting stroke. The southpaw is silky and has deep range. He is the Buckeyes’ first McDonald’s All-American since D’Angelo Russell.
Single-handedly, 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 top 12 recruits in the country: Smith Jr. and teammate JJ Andrews.
Even with the inevitable departure of the 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 AJ Dybantsa 2.0 after the latter likely becomes the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Branch is a strong, agile and disruptive defender with a 7-foot-1 wingspan.
It also has a nice touch and feel to the game.
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Don’t worry, BYU fans. The Cougars, behind Branch, will dance again next March.
Cam Williams, PF, 6-11 (Duke)
Cam Williams will be Duke’s newest rookie phenom next season, but he’s not as polished as Cooper Flagg or Cameron Boozer.
What he is, however, is a great player who can shoot.
His upside is incredible as he heads Duke’s number one overall recruiting class.
That consolation may help the Blue Devils temporarily take their mind off their recent Elite Eight collapse against UConn.
Jason Crowe Jr., PG, 6-3 (Missouri)
Missouri coach Dennis Gates has surprisingly assembled a top-10 recruiting class, led by Crowe Jr. (McDonald’s game co-MVP) and 6-9 power forward Toni Bryant. The couple looked great on Tuesday night.
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Think about this: Crowe Jr. is the all-time leading scorer in California men’s basketball history.
The Tigers will advance beyond the first round of the NCAA Tournament next March.
Reserve it.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the names from this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game who are most likely to become stars.
Check out this year’s top freshmen appearing on a TV screen near you this fall and impress all your basketball-addicted friends by telling them you knew about him first.
Next thing you know, it will be 2027 and it will be time to get back to March Madness.