Recruiting class rankings: Alabama is in the top 3

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  Paul BiancardiNov 11, 2026, 07:50 AM ET

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  • National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com
  • 18 years of coaching experience at Division I level
  • Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State

As college basketball's early signing window begins, some of the nation's top programs are making late pushes to finalize their 2027 recruiting classes, and the nation's top prospects are beginning to make their decisions. As we watch for news on the final handful of five-star recruits, let's take a look at the latest class rankings, which got a major shake-up entering the week.

Note: Class rankings are determined by a mathematical formula from Five Star Academies that weights different factors related to the quality and quantity of players in the class.

More:
Updated 2027 SC Next 100 | Signing period storylines to watch | 2027 key commit fits

1. LSU Tigers

Previous ranking: 1

No. 13 Reese Alston, PG
No. 14 King Gibson, SG
No. 18 Xavier Young, C
No. 26 Ahmad Hudson, PF

LSU has never ranked No. 1 in ESPN's recruiting class rankings -- it topped out at No. 3 in 2015 with a class headlined by Ben Simmons -- but with four top-30 commitments, the Tigers now pace the field.

Every great program needs a great point guard and Alston has all the tools of a classic floor general. He's an efficient playmaker, excellent finisher and a dangerous 3-point shooter with consistently impressive assist-to-turnover ratios.

Gibson, the No. 2-ranked shooting guard in the class, had a wide range of suitors, but a longstanding relationship with Will Wade dating back to his NC State tenure won out, and for good reason: Gibson's defensive presence is a great fit in his system.

Young, who ranked No. 9 in the 2028 class before reclassifying -- has outstanding size, hands and presence in the paint. At 16 years old, he won't be eligible for the NBA draft until 2029.

Hudson is one of the few two-sport prospects (football) with a legitimate shot to star in both. Also the No. 1 tight end prospect, he led the Nike EYBL circuit in rebounding this past spring and summer, and his shooting has taken a step forward. Note that he has visited Nebraska since his May commitment to the Tigers.

2. Duke Blue Devils

Previous ranking: 2

No. 7 Asa Montgomery, SF
No. 20 Kager Knueppel, PF
International four-star Luke Paul, PG

Duke's recruiting hasn't skipped a beat under Jon Scheyer. He already has three No. 1 recruiting classes, and two No. 2 classes. The Blue Devils are once again in contention for the top spot, especially if they can land any of blue-chippers Beckham Black, A.J. Williams and Adan Diggs.

Montgomery was a late riser, only cracking the SC Next rankings as a junior before ascending to five-star status this summer after averaging nearly 28 PPG on the Nike EYCL circuit. His athleticism and well-rounded game make him a fit for almost any roster, as a role player or the leading man.

Knueppel's older brother Kon shot over 40% from deep at Duke before being drafted fourth overall in 2025. Kager has similar 3-point marksmanship and is even bigger at 6-10. He's an ideal floor-spacer for Scheyer in pick-and-pop situations.

NBA scouts widely view 6-6 Australian point guard Paul as one of the best international prospects, and a first-rounder. He averaged 15.3 PPG, 7.1 APG and 6.4 RPG at the FIBA U17 World Cup this summer.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

Previous ranking: 6

No. 16 Zion Green, PF
No. 24 Chase Lumpkin, SG
No. 67 Yohane Kabongo, C

Nate Oats now has a five-star recruit for the third time in four seasons.

Alabama loves long, skilled wings with defensive upside, and the 6-9 Green has the ideal frame and athleticism to fit the system. He oozes potential, having really boosted his stock over the last six months.

Oats' system also demands aggressive, quick-scoring lead guards. Enter Lumpkin, one of the most complete guards in the class. A high-IQ player, he has great size and is already showing signs of becoming an excellent on-ball defender.

Kabongo has a college-ready 6-9 frame with a 7-3 wingspan. His soccer background helps his footwork as a rim runner and versatile defender, and he's also a tenacious rebounder with double-double upside.

4. Houston Cougars

Previous ranking: 3

No. 37 Oneal Delancy, PG
No. 45 Darrell Davis, PG
No. 57 Derek Daniels, C
No. 92 Triston Hawthorne, PF

Kelvin Sampson is in position to land his second top-three recruiting class in three years, after finishing No. 2 in 2025. But this is the first time since ESPN launched its recruiting database in 2007 that Houston finishes with four top-100 players.

Delancy loves to hunt 3-pointers -- he's a career 34.9% 3-point shooter on the Nike EYBL circuit, per Cerebro Sports. He also won't shy away from defending top opposing scorers, making him a great fit in Houston.

Davis can score and create for others, averaging 6.0 APG at Chipotle Nationals. He's an inconsistent 3-point shooter, and will look to improve from deep in college. He projects as a true floor general for Sampson.

Don't expect Daniels' size to be a problem for Sampson, who will know how to get the most out of the 6-7 defender. He was Montverde Academy's breakout star at last year's Chipotle Nationals -- and comes from the same program as current Cougars freshman Arafan Diane.

Hawthorne is one of the top shot-blockers who also racks up his fair share of steals. His explosiveness, mobility and length give him the upside of a potential defensive monster in the paint and at the rim.

5. UConn Huskies

Previous ranking: 4

No. 9 NaVorro Bowman Jr., PG
No. 11 Jordan Page, SF

The Huskies are rolling under Dan Hurley, and now have two five-star prospects in the same class for the first time in 20 years.

Bowman, the son of former NFL standout NaVorro Bowman, is a high-level scorer who oozes toughness. His nightly impact and two-way intensity helped him catapult into the top 10.

Page, a North Carolina native, can make plays at both ends of the floor and brings size and length. He's a tenacious defender who will fit right in with Hurley's coaching style.

6. Indiana Hoosiers

Previous ranking: 5

No. 12 Darius Wabbington, C
No. 28 Chase Branham, SG
International Felix Kiehlneker, C

Under second-year head coach Darian DeVries, the Hoosiers have a pair of top-30 recruits for the first time since 2022.

Wabbington is the highest-ranked recruit of DeVries' career and the highest-ranked center for Indiana since the ESPN recruiting database began in 2007. He's a modern, NBA-style skilled big man who can be a focal point of Indiana's offense next year.

Branham is one of the best shooters in the class and is big enough at 6-4 to play either guard spot. His IQ, shooting touch and spacing will give the Hoosiers some offensive punch.

A 7-foot international prospect, Kiehlneker will provide size, depth and a rim presence.

7. Arizona State Sun Devils

Previous ranking: 7

No. 35 Jakyi Miles, PG
No. 53 Carson Crawford, SF
No. 62 Howard Williams, SF

Randy Bennett is one of the nation's best at player development, and isn't done yet with this cycle: The Sun Devils continue to target frontcourt size and are in the mix for four-star center Paul Osaruyi.

Arizona native Miles is a talented 6-4 combo guard whose handle, shooting and playmaking stand out. He could take another step forward under Bennett with more consistent decision-making.

Crawford was Bennett's first ranked commitment in Tempe. He won a 17U Peach Jam title and is a high-level athlete who fits well in a tweener forward role.

At 6-7, Williams' size and toughness make him a valuable switchable defender and a potential matchup problem on offense.

8. Kentucky Wildcats

Previous ranking: 8

No. 8 Cherif Millogo, C
No. 31 Ryan Hampton, SF

The Wildcats have entered the early top 10 thanks to 7-5 center Millogo, who is Mark Pope's highest-ranked recruit since taking over at Kentucky. Possibly the best NBA-level prospect in high school basketball because of his massive wingspan, rim protection and expanding shooting touch, he's a perfect fit for Pope's system, which uses bigs at a high usage rate.

Hampton is 6-6 and a pure three-level scorer who's difficult to stop near the basket. His excellent size and SEC-level athleticism should give him defensive versatility on the wing.

9. Missouri Tigers

Previous ranking: 9

No. 34 Scottie Adkinson, SG
No. 36 Devin Cleveland, SG
Four-star Cameron Barnes, PF

Missouri continues to collect elite high school talent.

St. Louis native Adkinson is an aggressive left-handed combo guard who won Missouri's Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore. A capable distributor and high-level scorer, he was named MVP at the Kobe Bryant Mamba Invitational this summer. A more consistent 3-point shot would make him a true all-around offensive threat.

Cleveland's strengths on the perimeter could complement Adkinson quite well. He's a terrific outside shooter who attempted nearly half of his EYBL field-goal attempts from behind the arc.

Another in-state commit, Barnes is a bit undersized at 6-6, but is very strong and uses his 6-11 wingspan to rebound well. He can be a glue guy to impact winning.

10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Previous ranking: 10

No. 42 RJ Moore, SF
No. 52 Brandon Woodard, PF
Four-star Korey Francis, SG

This is one of the best groups the Scarlet Knights have landed in the modern era.

Moore, the son of UConn national champion Ricky Moore, is the fourth-highest ranked Rutgers recruit since the ESPN database began in 2007. He likes to attempt shots from the perimeter, making them at a 36% clip in the EYBL.

Woodard complements Moore as a high-level athlete who can make momentum-changing plays and excel in transition. doing most of his damage inside the arc as a primary lob threat. His explosiveness and defensive chops could help him make an impact early.

Francis is aggressive with the ball in his hands and consistently plays in attack mode. He's fearless and well-rounded on offense, but will need to manage his turnovers in college.