Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks secured a commitment from Tyran Stokes, the consensus No. 1 high school basketball recruit in the Class of 2026. Several big programs were in the race to bring the 18-year-old in.
While Stokes headlines his class, other talented players have also created a lot of waves with their commitment. Overall, this year’s class of incoming freshmen has been great.
Even though many experts believe the 2026 class isn’t as stacked as the last few years, the talent that’s about to enter college basketball is undeniable. With several teams landing some of the best players in the country, there’s a lot to look forward to next season.
Basketball analyst Terrence Oglesby recently posted his top five freshmen in the 2026-27 class who will make an impact in the upcoming season. Needless to say, Stokes is a part of that group, and some other talented athletes will make their mark next season. Let’s take a look.
Tyran Stokes Leads the Class of 2026-27
Tyran Stokes – Kansas
Stokes has played for three different high schools, starting with Prolific Prep in Napa, California. He has also played for Notre Dame and Rainier Beach High School. The 6’7, 230 lb forward is nothing short of an athletic marvel.
Stokes is a dominant scoring forward who possesses elite vision, advanced playmaking abilities, and, due to his frame, he can guard several positions.
He posted staggering stats at Rainier Beach High School, averaging 31 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals per game. He averaged 21.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during his junior year at Notre Dame.
Jordan Smith Jr. – Arkansas
Five-star basketball recruit Jordan Smith Jr. averaged 18.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game during his junior season at Paul VI Catholic High School in Virginia. At 6’2, 200 lb, he is a powerhouse guard.
“A lot of people like to say he’s the hardest playing cat in the class, I think I agree,” Oglesby said. “This guy is terrific, and he does all those little things that lead to winning. I’ve heard comparisons to Marcus Smart…different guys around the country that do those little things that lead to winning.”
Bryson Howard – Duke
Bryson Howard, the 5-star basketball recruit from Frisco Heritage High School. The son of former NBA All-Star Josh Howard, Bryson was one of the fastest-rising wings in the country, earning Texas Gatorade Player of the Year.
The 6’5, 190 lb forward is known for his scoring, high game IQ, and defense. In his senior year, he averaged 22.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 steals per game.
Luke Ertel – Purdue
Luke Ertel is another great scorer in his class who can also dominate at the other end of the court. He averaged 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game during his senior season at Mt. Vernon High School.
In the 2025-26 season, he won the MaxPreps Indiana High School Basketball Player of the Year and Indiana Mr. Basketball. A three-level scorer with elite facilitating and leadership qualities, Ertel will be one of the highlights of the next college basketball season.
Caleb Gaskins – Miami
A five-star basketball recruit, Caleb Gaskins, is headed to the Miami Hurricanes next season. At 6’8, 225 lb, Gaskins is a two-way forward who averaged 22.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
“There are some guys in this class that you look at as sure-fire pros, Gaskins, to me, is certainly that,” Oglesby said. “I think he’s going to be terrific for the Hurricanes next season.”
It’ll be exciting to see these players live up to their potential and develop their games with some of the best programs in the country.
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