With the 2026 high school season now complete with the McDonald’s All American Game and Chipotle Nationals, the senior class of elite prospects is officially ready to enter college. Appropriately, this cycle ended with the top overall prospect, No. 1 Saniyah Hall, winning MVP in the McDonald’s All American Game.
Naturally, this begs the question: How does this group compare to the classes that came immediately before it?
To find out, we created our first five recruiting picks from each of the best recruits from each of the three most recent recruiting cycles (2026, 2025 and 2024). Each spot was evaluated based on high school pedigree, early college production – in the case of 2024 and 2025 players – and long-term projection.
Overall, the 2026 class is not expected to make the same immediate impact as the previous two classes. In a separate take, here’s a position-by-position look at how the classes stack up – and which players hold the lead.
Player Rankings:
final 2026 sc next 100 | 2027 sc next 60 | 2028 sc next 25
2026: Autumn Flurry (ruler)
Fleury is a true all-around, pass-first point guard who sets the tone defensively and has an EYBL title under his belt. The reigning Washington DC Gatorade Player of the Year, she brings toughness, ball pressure and winning experience, but she doesn’t have the same scoring punch or usage profile of Chavez and Cambridge. That said, Fleury is adept at orchestrating offenses, which will serve him well at Duke, where he will have the opportunity to set the table for the experienced Blue Devils roster.
2025: Alia Chavez (oklahoma)
Chavez finished his high school career with 4,796 career points – and wasted little time translating his high-octane scoring to the college level, emerging as Oklahoma’s primary offensive engine and leading the Sooners to a Sweet 16 run. She blends creativity, high-volume scoring and playmaking. with regan beer After graduating, Chavez is Oklahoma’s obvious comeback catalyst in 2026.
2024: Jaloni Cambridge (Ohio State)
Cambridge was a dynamite high school point guard and was ranked as the nation’s No. 2 recruit when he signed with the Buckeyes. She has proven that she can do it all at the highest level. She won Big Ten Freshman of the Year, then became one of the best, consistent guards in the country this year, averaging 23.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
Edge: Cambridge
Cambridge offers the best mix of styles from all three. Given his high usage rate, he combines distinctive production with defensive impact and impressive efficiency.
2026: Kate Harpring (North Carolina)
Harping is a physical, downhill guard who competes on both ends and brings toughness on the perimeter as a strong defender. The 2026 Naismith Award winner, she became Georgia’s all-time leading high school scorer with 3,435 career points. But there is room for even more growth in her offensive game as she continues to develop as a shooter and secondary playmaker. Downside: He has a higher learning curve at this level than the two players below. But given North Carolina’s lineup needs and transfer portal deficit, Chapel Hill has plenty of opportunity to make an immediate impact.
2025: Jazzy Davidson (usc)
As a tall, athletic lead guard, Davidson was the most complete player in her high school class, making her teammates better. That’s what happened this season, in which the former No. 1 recruit established himself as the nation’s most impressive freshman last season: He led USC in scoring (17.9 points), rebounds (5.6), assists (4.1), steals (2.0) and blocks (2.0) while handling a tough defensive workload. His performance is a good sign for USC juju watkins The returning and No. 1 recruiting class in the country is coming to campus in the fall.
2024: Mikayla Blakes (Vanderbilt)
Blake led Vanderbilt to unprecedented heights this season – and led the nation in scoring (27.0 ppg) to earn first-team All-America honors. A five-star from New Jersey, his ability to efficiently build his offense on volume sets him apart. She has admirably lived up to the expectations of becoming the cornerstone of the program.
Edge: blex
He’s already a proven star, and one of the most dynamic, feared scoring guards in the country. All three are great players, but few can match Blake’s outstanding scoring production.
2026: Saniyah Hall (USC Trojans)
Hall is a powerful, physical wing who loves to play bully ball and attack the rim through contact, rebounding and finishing. He has made progress as a perimeter shooter, but his next challenge will be adapting to a system where the ball will not always be in his hands. Playing alongside other high-usage stars will require an increase in his off-ball movement and decision-making.
2025: Alia Crump
Freshman guard – who recently announced that he is transferred From Texas – Showed glimpses of his scoring ability as a freshman, providing the offensive punch the Longhorns needed to reach the Final Four. He’s a natural three-point scorer, and he’s had some impressive individual performances during SEC play, including a 16-point outing against LSU, though consistency and extended impact beyond scoring will be important as his role grows.
2024: Silla Swords (michigan wolverines)
Swords had an impressive high school senior year that included a stint with the Canadian team at the FIBA U19 AmeriCup and a McDonald’s All American selection. His sophisticated, experienced leadership is fully reflected in Ann Arbor. With international experience and a high basketball IQ, she impacts wins as a shooter, secondary playmaker and defender. His versatility allows him to fit seamlessly into different lineups and roles.
Edge: Sword
Swords can do everything at a high level. He averaged 34 minutes last season for Michigan, which often required a lot of him physically in small-ball lineups. But it responded, leading the Wolverines to the Elite Eight. His all-around game, experience and shooting translate into winning basketball.
2026: Olivia Edwards (uncommitted)
Edwards’ equipment is undeniable. He is one of the most physically gifted players in his class, with elite athleticism and arguably the highest ceiling of any 2026 five-star. She can finish races around the rim with either hand, and her length and physical skill set give her the advantage of guarding multiple positions. However, his college impact may have been a bit more gradual, as his game requires a lot of refinement and maturity before showing its potential.
2025: Grace Knox (LSU)
Knox anchors LSU’s top-ranked recruiting class in 2025. His attention to detail and impact both on the glass and defensively led to LSU, where the 6-foot-2 forward averaged 8.8 points and 4.6 rebounds while playing in a role as an energy forward. She rounds out the lineup well but is not asked to carry the primary offensive load.
2024: Sarah Strong (Yukon)
Strong was one of the most unique prospects in the country with his extraordinary blend of versatility, power and skill, which made him a perfect fit for Geno Auriemma’s system. Over the course of two college seasons, she has tried almost everything possible, winning a national title as a freshman and Naismith College Player of the Year and the Wade Trophy as a sophomore. His efficiency and defensive impact make him the engine of a championship-caliber team.
Edge: strong
There’s really no comparison here. Strong has one of the most complete, impressive all-around games in college basketball, and both the eye test and advanced metrics support it.
2026: Olivia Vukosa (yukon huskies)
Vukosa is a skilled, modern post who can stretch the floor, pass and operate comfortably away from the basket. He even hit a deep 3-pointer in the McDonald’s All American Game. The reigning National Gatorade Player of the Year, he will receive exceptional tutelage from a UConn program that excels in Euro-style big development. His international experience with Croatia and fit into UConn’s system position him well for long-term success – even if his immediate role is more measured.
2025: Sienna Bates (UCLA Bruins)
Bates arrived in college as a prototype position forward who could adapt to the modern game. He has enough aggression to get away from the basket and play in space while providing valuable rim protection defensively. While a lower leg injury limited her impact early last season, she developed into a steady presence off the bench during UCLA’s national championship run.
2024: Kate Kowal (lsu tigers)
Originally a Notre Dame signee, Kowal transferred to LSU for his sophomore season and began playing a more consistent role, making 17 starts in 35 games. She was in great form as the year progressed and averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds last campaign. The bigs on both ends are the foundation of Kim Mulkey’s system – especially on the glass – and Koval looks poised to secure the starting center role next fall.
Edge: vukosa
Vukosa offers the most complete modern skillset at the position with his combination of size, shooting and experience.
