2025 Rankings Primer
April 10, 2023 by Max Feldman
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Breaking Down the Top
While there is a long way to go, the top five has created some separation and the top two prospects, Cameron Boozer and Cooper Flagg, are in a tier of their own.
Cameron Boozer has been dominant each step of the way and has provided more intrigue as he continues to experiment more as a primary on the offensive end. Few players impact winning more than Cooper Flagg in high school basketball – the game moves at a different speed for the Maine native and should benefit long-term from playing an NIBC schedule early on.
Koa Peat is a hand-in-glove fit in the modern game given his ability to generate mismatches and provide versatility on both ends at his size. Darryn Peterson is arguably the most advanced offensive prospect at this stage and has a chance to take off as his frame evolves.
The Strongest Class in Recent Memory?
Boozer, Flagg, Koa Peat and Darryn Peterson fit in the top tier of prospects, regardless of class. Not only does the potential star-power at the top separate this class, but so does the depth of talent and upside littered throughout the top 150.
Combing through and comparing classes, there are numerous prospects who'd slot in much higher in other classes given all things even. Jalen Haralson, Meleek Thomas, Joson Sanon, Jayden Quaintance, Tounde Yessoufou and Khaman Maluach all appear as potential top five prospects in other classes. Moving down the playing field, the narrative only continues. Malachi Moreno, Chuck Love, Shelton Henderson and Nik Khamenia all rank outside the top 30 currently, but would be squarely in the top 20 or so mix in a weaker class.
Prominent Bloodlines
Prospects with NBA bloodlines have been sprinkled throughout classes, but the crop coming in 2025 looks vast. Cameron and Cayden's father, Carlos, made two All-Star appearances and played 13 years in the league.
Jermaine O’Neal was drafted at the age of 17 years old and played 18 years in the NBA, and now coaches his fast-rising son at Dynamic Prep in Texas.
Seven-footer Maper Maker is the younger brother of Makur Maker and the cousin of Thon Maker.
Zacchaeus Wiggins is the younger brother of current OKC Thunder and former Maryland wing, Aaron Wiggins.
Phoenix Gill has a chance to skyrocket over the next 12 months and looks to have turned a corner developmentally over the latter end of his sophomore season. The 6-2 guard is the son of Illinois great and 15-year NBA vet, Kendall Gill.
Mike Williams, another guard out of Texas, should continue to rise over the next year or so. He is the son of former NBA Champion and current head coach at Jackson State, Mo Williams.
Lantz Stephenson, a well-built wing out of the Las Vegas area, is the younger brother of 10-year veteran Lance Stephenson.
Finally, Kiyan Anthony and Bryce James. Kiyan, the son of Carmelo, shoots the ball at a high level and has shown flashes of expanding his off the bounce attack. Bryce James hasn't quite turned the corner yet, but has shown intrigue as a shooter with an evolving frame.
Geographic Diversity
California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina produce year in and year out, but in a very strong 2025 class, guys are coming from all over the map.
Just within the top fifteen, Cooper Flagg hails from Newport, Maine and Khaman Maluach comes from NBA Africa, via South Sudan.
Arkansas has become a hotbed for talent over recent years, and is coming strong once again with five-star Terrion Burgess as well as Isaiah Sealy and Kellen Robinson.
Poised floor general JJ Mandaquit is a native of Oahu in Hawaii.
Canadian basketball has been trending upwards for some time now, and drops in with two high level long-term prospects in Efeosa Oliogu and Will Riley. Onyx Nnani and Spencer Ahrens crack the rankings as well.
In addition, Kentucky, Arizona, Oregon, Wisconsin and Alabama all bring strong classes to the table in 2025.
We’ve seen the game spread globally, but 2025 is a glimpse at how the game is evolving from coast to coast.