No high school tournament attracts more elite NBA prospects or scouts like the Hoophall Classic. From Friday to Monday, Springfield College's Blake Arena was a revolving door for the nation's top schools and players, many of whom will go on to NCAA power conferences before landing in the first round and lottery of future drafts.
And this year's field might have been the most loaded it's ever been.
Hoophall represented an excellent scouting opportunity to update reports and document development that took place during the offseason.
The rankings take into account long-term NBA potential and the likelihood we believe each prospect can reach their's.
As exciting as the top of the 2025 draft board currently looks, 2026's may produce even more stars.
Hoophall Notes for Players Outside Top 10
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Dylan Mingo (Long Island Lutheran, PG/SG, 2008)
Playing with seniors Kiyan Anthony (Syracuse), Nigel James (Marquette) and brother Kayden (Penn State), Dylan Mingo has remained a constant impact player for LuHi while playing various roles that showcase lead-guard skills and versatility. Productive in two games at Hoophall, he made his impact on and off the ball by attacking downhill through contact, hitting spot-up threes and forcing turnovers defensively. A big breakout won't likely happen until next year when he's used to create more. In the meantime, he's going to fill box scores in a Swiss Army knife role.
Kiyan Anthony (Long Island Lutheran, SG, 2007)
Combining for 31 points in two Hoophall games, Anthony showcased his shooting stroke and some improvement with his finishing inside the arc. He looked bigger than 6'5". The footwork and mechanics behind his shotmaking appear sharp, and we saw more nuanced scoring moves inside on drives. He hasn't shot well to start the year, but he was very efficient playing off the ball in Springfield.
Caleb Gaskins (Columbus High School, PF, 2008)
Gaskins had a big 24-point game against Notre Dame, finishing with three three-pointers, a pretty post fallaway and more inside work. With an impressive physical profile that mirrors an NBA power forward's, he's starting to show more shotmaking skill to pair with the play-finishing and offensive rebounding.
Cayden Boozer (Columbus High School, PG, 2007)
There was nothing new to document watching Boozer control the game, set the table and score efficiently by taking what the defense gave up. Duke is going to love his basketball IQ running offense. And though not labeled a big self-creator, he's consistently a threat to score with counter drives, floaters, shorter pull-ups and an improving three-ball.
Tounde Yessoufou (St. Joseph, SG/SF, 2006)
Yessoufou made Hoophall's All-Showcase Team after his 23 points and win over Caleb Wilson. He was a train in transition, handling and finishing through contact with his signature strength and motor. He blew up a number of plays defensively. If you had to give him a label, he's a two-way power wing. Yessoufou looks like he's going to be an instant impact player next year at Baylor, and he'll start generating buzz as a pro prospect if he continues to build on the flashes of shotmaking we saw more of in EYBL.
Isiah Harwell (Wasatch Academy, SG/SF, 2007)
Harwell bounced back on Saturday after a tough test against IMG's Sadiq White on Friday. He scored 19 points against La Lumiere, looking fluid as a shooter and driver with his mechanics and impressive physical profile. Coming off an ACL injury last year, he's looked back on track with the right tools for a three-and-D role at the highest level.
Darius Acuff (IMG, PG, 2006)
Acuff shot 17-of-50 in back-to-back losses at Hoophall. The inefficiency can be mostly chalked up to missed jump shots and the point guard pressing to break through an off-game. He was having an outstanding season coming in, and there is clearly a lot to like about Acuff's full-service package of three-level scoring, spot-up shooting, physical driving and playmaking from the lead guard spot. He has an easy time creating with his handle and jets, and he's a shotmaking threat off the catch and dribble. However, limited size and athleticism do show up and raise questions about how easily he'll be able to create advantages at higher levels.
10. Meleek Thomas (overtime Elite, Pg/sg, Born 2006)
There's always going to be the challenge of comparing production at Overtime Elite, but Meleek Thomas is playing at too high of a level to asterisk the stats.
The league's second-leading scorer at 27.7 points per game, he's been an incredible shotmaker and crafty driver with plenty of creation going into his scoring. Changing speeds into pull-ups and direction with footwork slashing to the basket, Thomas is consistently getting makable looks for himself from every level on the floor.
Though he'll likely get labeled a 2-guard or combo, he clearly has some playmaking feel, using his dribble and gravity to set up teammates for 4.9 assists per game.
Shooting 47.2 percent on catch-and-shoot attempts, he's been dangerous from off the ball as well.
The SEC will test him next year at Arkansas, and scouting eyes will focus on whether he can continue separating and hitting shots without standout size or athleticism.
9. Caleb Wilson (Holy Innocents Episcopal School, PF, 2006)
The two-way plays that Caleb Wilson can make with his athleticism and body will continue to buy him time to develop more offensive skill.
He went for 22 points with five stocks at Hoophall, and it remains very clear that Wilson's impact-driver is generating easy baskets an creating events on defense. On Saturday morning, he threw down multiple highlight dunks and delivered three off-ball blocks after reading plays as a roaming rim protector.
But he was also used to initiate offense. Though he's going to struggle consistently executing off his self-creation, watching him handle, get to spots or pull up into balanced jump shots was very encouraging. There could be a face-up combo-forward in there somewhere, but bringing it out will still require a lot more polish to Wilson's handle, decision-making and shooting.
8. CJ Rosser (Northern Nash, SF/PF, 2009)
CJ Rosser instantly pops with developing perimeter skills that feel ahead of the curve for a 6'8", 15-year-old.
He drew attention over the summer playing 15U Peach Jam, standing out with three-point range and confident shotmaking skills in the mid-range and post areas. He's put together enough early flashes of self-creation and putting the ball down to resemble a big wing who clearly has plenty of time for more physical growth.
There is obviously some guesswork when projecting players this year, but if this is currently Rosser's foundation, with his positional size, baseline skill and archetype, gradual development could take his game to special heights.
7. Brandon McCoy Jr. (St. John Bosco, PG/SG, 2007)
A leg injury cost Brandon McCoy a 16th consecutive game at Hoophall. Scouts were still recently able to witness his two-way impact at the U17 World Cup over the summer, and he just made his return for St. John Bosco on Monday night.
He's an obvious standout with his positional size, athleticism and defensive playmaking. He almost looks more like a wing than a guard sometimes with how big he plays using his physical tools.
McCoy's skill level has catching up to do, but with room to improve, he still gets to tight spots with his speed or long strides. The open-floor scoring should carry over to the highest level, and at 6'5" with how he moves and changes direction/speed, he should continue to create advantages off the dribble.
He's also demonstrated enough touch shots and shotmaking ability to bet on more development down the road. In the meantime, shooting remains a relative weakness.
McCoy probably winds up becoming a combo who can slash from off the ball and defend opposing wings. But he does show the willingness and passing talent to make plays for teammates in a lead ball-handler role as well.
Shooting will clearly be an important swing skill that determines McCoy's trajectory. Even at baseline, the threat to create, attack, facilitate and disrupt defensively remains consistently impactful while feeling translatable.
6. Koa Peat (Perry HS, PF, 2007)
Foul trouble limited Koa Peat versus Columbus, as did the size of Cameron Boozer and Caleb Gaskins. He was still able to get 18 points off sheer physical talent and some budding perimeter skills.
Peat just missed a handful of mid-range shots that he typically hits at a comfortable rate. He's gotten very fluid at handling the ball and rising into balanced pull-ups and fallaways around the key. The ability to create and shoot in that second level is going to be a big part of Peat's scoring attack, both now and down the road.
Scouts will be hoping he winds up measuring closer to 6'9" a year from now. Still, he uses that strong, chiseled frame effectively inside for contact finishing and offensive rebounding.
At 235 pounds, he's not the quickest or most explosive. A lack of standout athletic traits or height seems likely to cause a divide among scouts when trying to assess Peat's upside.
A lack of positional height and advantageous athletic traits reduces his margin for error, but he's also become sharper off the dribble with his nimble footwork and slicker spin moves for getting to spots. And Peat's shotmaking development continues to look promising, even if he's still clearly more comfortable inside the arc.
5. Nate Ament (Highland, SF/PF, 2006)
Nate Ament's play became a storyline at Hoophall after he beat Darryn Peterson and Prolific Prep with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
It was a showcase of mismatch scoring versatility and a 6'9" wing able to play different roles within the offense. He had a coast-to-coast take. He created out of isolation from the perimeter and post with his high release point and three-level shotmaking skills. And he played some big man, finishing around the rim and cleaning up misses.
Ament also delivered some eye-catching assists, looking more and more comfortable handling the ball and moving defenses with his dribble.
It's all been trending this way since the summer. He continues to show development with his execution from the perimeter, getting to spots and connecting on jumpers without losing the ball or allowing physicality to show him off.
Given Ament's archetype, continuing on this current ascension hints at tantalizing potential upside. He hasn't looked as refined as the other top prospects, but he's catching up fast.
4. Tyran Stokes (Notre Dame HS, SG/SF, 2007)
Tyran Stokes' Hoophall game against the Boozer brothers wasn't his best. Operating as the primary ball-handler, an unusual job for a 6'7", 230-pound 17-year-old, a big chunk of the creation workload was on Stokes, and he struggled at times to separate or pick the right spots to attack against a big Columbus lineup.
However, he was able to use his signature frame and body control to finish plays through contact in the lane. He also hit a spot-up three, and tape has consistently shown a far more comfortable shooter off the catch than the dribble.
The seven assists highlighted Stokes' unique ball-handling, passing skill and point-guard feel for a player with his body type. He'll use his gravity to draw defenders and set up teammates.
The NBA is often drawn to the growing jumbo playmaker archetype, and that's Stokes'.
As a scorer, he remains toughest to stop in transition and when he's driving with physicality and footwork in the half court. Despite his guard or wing responsibilities, he can switch into big-man mode and use strength for offensive rebounding and finishing.
Stokes can be overwhelming defensively, particularly against wings. He moves well enough to project passable foot speed for guarding wings at higher levels, and if that's the case, his strength and length will continue to cause problems.
Still, there is tape that shows unenthusiastic closeout challenges he could clean up.
He's also had more problems early to start the year shooting off the dribble. According to Synergy Sports, he's missed all eight pull-ups so far after he missed each of his six attempts for USA at the U17s and shot 6-of-46 on dribble jumpers in EYBL with the Oakland Soldiers. How his pull-up and step-back develop over the new few years could play a key role in Stokes' trajectory.
3. Cameron Boozer (Columbus High School, PF/C, 2007)
The dominant inside-out performances, double-doubles and wins have become repetitive with Cameron Boozer. It was another few days at the office for him in Springfield, where he put up 25 points against Tyran Stokes and Notre Dame before going for 31 points and 13 boards in a victory over Koa Peat and Perry High School.
Boozer beat defenses from every spot on the floor. His most impressive moments came in the mid-range area, firing iso or fallaway jumpers and attacking his man from face-up position.
His three-ball isn't a strength yet, but it's getting better, particularly when he's shooting it off his dribble after creating some rhythm for himself one-on-one.
Otherwise, Boozer consistently owns opponents around the basket using his strength, footwork and touch.
His misses are often tied to a lack of explosion in traffic and weaker touch on catch-and-shoot threes. He's one of the most polished and skilled big-man prospects of the decade, but if scouts have questions, they're about upside and whether he has the perimeter fluidity, quickness or verticality to reach a star-level of offensive player.
2. AJ Dybantsa (Utah Prep, SF, 2007)
AJ Dybantsa's squad was down early to Montverde Academy on Sunday, and it became apparent how big a workload he needs to carry for Utah Prep. Playing comeback throughout, he scored 25 points on 8-of-20 shooting, leaning on his gifted shotmaking ability and seemingly unstoppable athleticism in the open floor.
He created a number of highlights in transition using his long strides, body control and powerful leaping. He's going to be one of those wild fast-break weapons who can get from half court to rim with one dribble.
Dybantsa also showed how easily he could get off a makable shot just by rising up into jumpers, releasing over the top and locking in with the target mid-air.
He didn't record any assists against Montverde, which was partly because he had to shot-hunt with his team getting blown out early. He generally is a skilled passer, however, and when he wants to or the read calls for it, Dybantsa can find teammates and play-make with skilled deliveries.
His four steals highlighted advantageous defensive tools with his length and movement at 6'9". Like most teenagers, he can be too casual or undisciplined off the ball, but at his age, scouts will put more stock into his body type and speed for getting one-on-one stops or making plays on the ball.
Decision-making with shot selection will be an area to improve. Because Dybantsa can create and hit tough jumpers, he takes a lot of them, and his percentages don't necessarily justify the volume. So far this season he's 14-of-55 in the mid-range and 15-of-55 on pull-ups, although he has looked more confident/effective going to his floater than he did last year.
It's worth watching tape of Dybantsa's mechanics, as he tends to wait to shoot in the air or hold onto the ball too long, resulting in some bad misses.
1. Darryn Peterson (Prolific Prep, SG, 2007)
Since the start of summer, Darryn Peterson has produced with a raised level of polish and consistency that has helped him gradually close the gap between Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa.
It's now at the point where he has a solid case for No. 1 prospect in high school basketball.
While Peterson did force shots and miss jumpers late in a loss to Nate Ament and Highland, he still dropped 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting, delivering the entire bag of three-level scoring tricks with his handle, burst and shotmaking.
He has strong recognition of space and how to get to it, whether it's with speed and footwork in transition, dribbling off screens into pull-up jumpers or using quick, decisive ball-handling and change-of-direction.
Peterson gets serious elevation for creating separation on his mid-range and three-point shot. He's added the jab and side steps into dribble jumpers. And he's very comfortable using touch off one foot in the lane.
A proficient finisher as well, Peterson excels at making adjustments or switching to his left hand to create easy angles around the basket. He has some explosion to attack the rim straight on and the dexterity and craft to convert from the sides.
Peterson is a traditional 2-guard like Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker or Bradley Beal, but he does possess playmaking ability, especially passing in ball-screen situations.
He also makes it a habit to blow up a few plays per game defensively, demonstrating anticipation and the quickness to make plays off his reactions.
Peterson doesn't have the positional size or athletic abilities of AJ Dybantsa. When we look back at previous high school scorers, he doesn't explode with force like Anthony Edwards or bounce like Jalen Green. But his movement and coordination are still pluses that can create advantages, and from a skill and intangibles perspective, it's tough to confidently say there has been a more refined 2-guard prospect than Peterson in recent memory.
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