Tyran Stokes, Alijah Arenas among early list of top prospects for 2027 NBA Draft

Tyran Stokes, Alijah Arenas among early list of top prospects for 2027 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

High-end freshman talent teemed through the last two NBA draft classes with names like Cooper Flagg in 2025 or AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 this year.

Advertisement

The 2027 class lacks that same lofty status.

Paul Biancardi, ESPN’s national recruiting director for high school basketball, said it was long clear the past two classes would “be special.” So much so that the NBA recently changed its draft rules due to widespread tanking by teams angling for those top prospects.

“Unfairly they’re going to be compared to the last two classes,” Biancardi said of 2027. “That’s never going to be helpful for them because — whether it was a bulk of talent or just tremendous talent at the top — the last two drafts were the best we’ve seen in decades.

“So now we look ahead and this class ended up being very good.”

Advertisement

One-and-done freshmen claimed 11 of 14 lottery spots (78.6%) in both 2025 and 2026, while NIL rules make it enticing — and lucrative — for prospects to stay longer in college.

With that in mind, here’s a look at next summer’s top lottery candidates:

1. Tyran Stokes, Kansas

The 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward is a McDonald’s All-American topping recruiting rankings for 247Sports and ESPN. He picked Kansas over Kentucky, with Hall of Fame coach Bill Self calling him “as versatile a youngster that I’ve ever recruited.”

2. Caleb Holt, Arizona

The guard signed with the Wildcats in April. He brings good size (6-5, 200) and athleticism for two-way potential as a top-3 national recruit who shared MVP honors of the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Advertisement

3. Jordan Smith Jr., Arkansas

The 6-2, 200-pound combo guard joins the list of touted pro prospects to sign with John Calipari. The McDonald’s All-American was named the Naismith national high school player of the year in March.

4. Bruce Branch III, BYU

Fresh…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/tyran-stokes-alijah-arenas-among-175636890.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-06-25 17:56:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.