Rivals Rankings Week: Five-Star Countdown for 2026 class

It’s a Rivals Rankings Week for the 2026 class and we start things off today with Rob Cassidy counting down our five-stars, from No. 13 to No. 1.

2025 Rankings: Rivals150 | Position | Team

2027 Rankings: Top 60

Transfer Portal: Full coverage | Player ranking | Transfer tracker | Player search

Cassidy’s Take: Brandon McCoy retains the top spot in a class without a surefire No.1 and does so because of his consistency of production as much as anything else. The strong, explosive guard is the most polished player in the group and combines that with upside, as he has room to grow as both a defender and a facilitator. USC, UCLA, Kansas, Duke, Alabama, Arizona and others are involved with McCoy.

Cassidy’s Take: A legitimate contender for the No. 1 spot, Stokes’ athleticism, shot-creation ability and knack for finishing at the rim are what pop off the page about him, and there may not be a better prospect in the class when it comes to the transition game. His elite skill set and lofty upside are obvious to anyone. It feels as though the five-star forward could seize the top spot if he becomes a better long-range shooter in the year ahead. Louisville, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Kansas and USC are among the teams chasing the 6-foot-7 forward.

Cassidy’s Take: Caleb Holt is coming off an impressive performance at USA Basketball Junior Minicamp and earned a bump up from No. 4 to No.3, in part, because of it. He has long been a break-pushing fastbreak scorer, but has recently shown signs of progress as a shot-creator in the half court. The 6-foot-5 Holt is among the most athletic and explosive prospects in the class, and his recruitment has a bit of a southern flare to it. Programs such as Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Baylor and Georgia Tech are already involved.

Cassidy’s Take: The son of longtime NBA player Gilbert Arenas, who became a star at Arizona, Alijah Arenas is already considering his father’s alma mater. The California-based guard is all of 6-foot-5 and has a quick-trigger jumper that has shown itself to be lethal from the mid-range as well as the 3-point line. His pull-up seemingly materializes out of nowhere and it’s clear he’s been well coached for the entirety of his life. Arenas has added some mass to his upper body this year but still has work to do on that front. Alabama, Texas and UCLA join Arizona on his early list of suitors.

Cassidy’s Take: A newcomer to the top five, Smith continues to be one of the most productive players on the floor in every possible setting. From all-star camps, to high-level high school hoops to the grassroots circuit there is not stage on which the skilled, hard-nosed guard has not shined brightly.

Not only is he a skilled prospect with a smooth jumper but his motor and broad shoulder-build allow him to play even bigger than his 6-foot-2 build on both the glass and the defensive end.

The Virginia-based Smith is considering colleges such as Duke, Louisville, Syracuse, Miami, North Carolina, Kansas State and Florida State.

Cassidy’s Take: One of the biggest risers in this update, Miikka Muurinen shot up from No. 39 to No. 6 based on a summer that saw him take American grassroots hoops by storm. The 6-foot-10, Finnish-born forward is the prototype for a modern 4, as he’s a floor-spacing dream that is able to fill it up from deep in addition to being comfortable putting the ball on the floor.

He still needs to add muscle and polish when it comes to scoring and defending in the paint, but his long-term upside and efficiency numbers are downright tantalizing.

Arkansas, Kentucky, Utah, Michigan and Duke are already involved in his recruitment.

Cassidy’s Take: Christian Collins made a 23-spot jump in the ranking update and burst into the top 10 with some momentum. Collins has proven capable of playing either forward spot at a high level and has the face-up game to become a dynamic and versatile 4 at the highest levels of college hoops. He’s shown signs of growth both physically and from a long-range shooting standpoint as of late, which suggest his rankings climb may not be finished.

Oregon, USC, Kansas, Texas, Arizona State and Cal have all already offered the California-based standout and more schools are likely to join the fray this winter.

Cassidy’s Take: The son of UCLA Bruin-turned-NBA standout Trevor Ariza, Tajh Ariza is a three-level scoring threat on the wing and can take over games when he’s at his best. He, like many other young prospects, is still fighting a battle with consistency of production but when he’s on, watching him is a joy.

He shines with the ball in his hands and can get his long frame downhill in a hurry, bullying his way to his spots and finishing once he arrives. His length gives him unlimited defensive upside and he does good work on the glass when he’s motivated to do so.

UCLA joins USC, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oregon and Arizona State on his offer list.

Cassidy’s Take: One of the top pure scorers in the 2026 class, Jason Crowe Jr. is a game-changer with the ball in his hands. He still needs to add significant muscle, but he’s already a threat to pour it in from almost anywhere on the floor. He uses a smooth jumper and a quick change of pace to get almost anything he wants in the half-court and is a bit more athletic than he sometimes gets credit for being.

He’s being pursued by colleges such as UCLA, Kentucky, Arizona and Louisville. Overseas options are also in play.

Cassidy’s Take: Watching Ikenna Alozie is thrilling, as it’s easy to get swept up in his explosiveness and athleticism because it often manifests itself in the form of chase down blocks, run throughs in the open court and dunks.

Alozie is also a high-level, high-energy defender and a good positional rebounder. Yes, he lacks elite length for a top 10 player but his two-way production has become impossible to ignore.

The Nigerian-born guard is being courted by programs such as Kansas, BYU, Seton Hall, Kansas State, Arizona, UCLA and West Virginia.

Cassidy’s Take: One of the youngest and longest guards in the 2026 class, the New York-based Dylan Mingo is one of the most promising two-way guards in the country. The 6-foot-5 Mingo shined brightly at various all-star events this offseason.

Mingo is an absolute nightmare for opposing ball handlers, as his lateral quickness, long arms and motor allow him to change games and create chaos on the defensive end. Offensively, he is a proven shot-creator and facilitator, even if he’s a bit hot-and-cold from long range.

Mingo is the younger brother of 2025 prospect Kayden Mingo and is considering schools such as Missouri, St. John’s, Providence and Cincinnati, among others.

Cassidy’s Take: An Atlanta area product that now plays his high school basketball at Florida’s Montverde Academy, Kayden Allen shines as a ball handler and shot creator. He has a knack for making tough finishes look routine and has taken positive strides as a long-range shooter this year.

Ole Miss, Michigan, Louisville, Miami and Tennessee are all involved in his recruitment.

Cassidy’s Take: Caleb Gaskins will have all eyes on him this season as he slides into a leadership role at famed Montverde Academy and will play a major national schedule. The strong and uber-physical forward’s game extends well outside the paint, where he has a high-release jumper that has improved over time.

He fits the mold of what modern coaches like in a high-level 4 because he blends bruising power with developing face-up skill. Defensively, he has the tools to be great but sometimes sags in the effort department.

Gaskins is being recruited by schools such as Maryland, Alabama, Georgia, Baylor and Florida State.