ESPN on 3 July released a complete refresh of its high-school basketball recruiting boards, publishing new lists for the classes of 2026 (ESPN 100), 2027 (ESPN 60) and 2028 (ESPN 25). Lead analyst Paul Biancardi also issued an in-depth feature matching the top 10 players in the 2026 group with current or former NBA standouts, underscoring how quickly professional scouts are tracking the rising talent pool. Six-foot-seven forward Tyran Stokes of Notre Dame High School, California, headlines the 2026 ESPN 100 and draws a comparison to Toronto Raptors wing Scottie Barnes for his blend of power, playmaking and defensive versatility. Power forward Christian Collins slots in at No. 2 with echoes of Washington Wizards swingman Bilal Coulibaly, while guard Jordan Smith, likened to defensive specialist Marcus Smart, rises to No. 3. Jaxon Richardson, son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, rounds out the top 10 and is already being measured against his father’s athletic profile. The updated ESPN 60 for 2027 and ESPN 25 for 2028 extend the talent evaluation down the pipeline, offering an early look at prospects who could shape recruiting battles and, eventually, future NBA drafts. The synchronized ranking releases give college programs and professional scouts a mid-summer benchmark as they plan campus visits, scholarship offers and long-term draft projections.
Tyran Stokes ↔️ Scottie Barnes Jaxon Richardson ↔️ Jason Richardson Full NBA comps for the top 10 prospects in the Class of 2026 ESPN 100 ⤵️ (via @PaulBiancardi) https://t.co/JPEmIQ6na8
Large 2026 Alabama draft class upcoming, as @mzenitz writes today for @CBSSports: https://t.co/JIPQQMT47o https://t.co/Vmpi0rGcP7
NBA comparisons and analysis for the top 10 prospects in the ESPN 100 for class of 2026. https://t.co/f0Kr5BgmZZ