It has been another busy week on the recruiting trail. The 2026 class is starting to take shape, and while a handful of bluebloods and rising powers have already built impressive foundations, others are still searching for traction.
There’s still a long way to go as many of the top players remain uncommitted. Here’s how we would grade 10 of the top programs as they sprint toward the finish line.
Kansas Jayhawks
Bill Self and his staff have put together an impressive four-man class headlined by Taylen Kinney, a dynamic 6-foot-1 guard from Newport, Ky., and 6-foot-9 forward Davion Adkins out of Dallas, Texas, who brings size, length and two-way versatility. Trent Perry, a 6-foot-5 wing from Frisco, Texas, and Luke Barnett, a 6-foot-4 shooter from Santa Ana, Calif. round out a group that combines immediate impact with long-term upside. With top targets like Tyran Stokes, Ethan Taylor, and Maximo Adams still on the board, Kansas is positioning itself for another elite class in 2026.
Grade: A
Missouri Tigers
Missouri has made a major statement with its 2026 class, putting together one of the top classes in all of college basketball. The Tigers began with five-star Jason Crowe Jr., a 6-foot-3 scoring guard from Inglewood, Calif., who’s one of the top offensive talents in the country. The Tigers then landed another five-star in 6-foot-9 forward Toni Bryant out of Zephyrhills, Fla., before adding four-star wing Aidan Chronister, a 6-foot-7 sharpshooter from Fayetteville, Ark. Dennis Gates and his staff have made serious noise on the recruiting trail, building a class that blends star power, balance, and potential long-term impact.
Grade: A-
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State has been one of the hottest programs on the recruiting trail, as Steve Lutz has put together a class that’s turning heads nationally. It started with four-star wing Jalen Montanati, a 6-foot-7 standout from Owasso, Okla., followed by another major pickup in 6-foot-8 forward Latrell Allmond out of Petersburg, Va. Both guys bring size, versatility, and the ability to impact the program for multiple seasons. Then, last week, the Cowboys added four-star guard Parker Robinson, a 6-4 guard from Olney, Md., rounding out a group that has Oklahoma State sitting inside the Top 5 national recruiting rankings and building real momentum heading into the college basketball season.
Grade: B+
Pittsburgh Panthers
Pitt has emerged as one of the biggest surprises in the 2026 class, thanks to the work of Jeff Capel and his staff. The Panthers have landed three Top-100 prospects, starting with the IMG Academy duo of Jermal Jones, a 6-foot-3 guard from Riverview, Fla., and Chase Foster, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Baltimore, Md. The two bring chemistry, toughness, and the potential to play multiple collegiate seasons. This week, Pitt added four-star Anthony Felesi, a 6-5 wing from Orem, Utah who is a versatile, impact defender with a developing offensive game. With new GM Jay Kuntz playing a key role, this is shaping up to be one of Pitt’s strongest recruiting classes in years.
Grade: B+
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State and Chris Jans have done an impressive job on the recruiting trail, and their 2026 class could end up surpassing last year’s strong group. Jalyn Collingwood, a 6-foot-5 wing from Washington, D.C., was one of the summer’s biggest risers before committing, while four-star guard Willie Burnett III, a 6-foot-2 guard from Springfield, Va., and three-star forward Ladarius Givan, a 6-foot-8 big from Richmond, Va., provide valuable depth and future upside. The Bulldogs’ biggest addition came this past weekend with four-star big man Tristan Reed, a 6-foot-9 prospect out of St. Louis, Mo. and brother of UConn’s Tarris Reed. This four-man class leaves Mississippi State in an excellent position heading into the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Grade: B+
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas and John Calipari are off to a strong start with their 2026 class, highlighted by five-star JJ Andrews, a 6-foot-7 wing from Little Rock, Ark. who chose to stay home for his first collegiate season. Andrews brings size, toughness and dynamic scoring to Fayetteville in Year 1. The Hogs also added four-star Abdou Toure, a 6-foot-5 wing from West Haven, Conn., who impacts the game in a variety of ways beyond just his scoring. With elite targets like Jordan Smith Jr., Baba Oladotun, Caleb Holt and Arafan Diane still in play, Arkansas is in position to make a major jump in these rankings as their class continues to take shape.
Grade: B
Duke Blue Devils
It’s been a promising start to the 2026 cycle for Jon Scheyer and Duke, who have already landed two major pieces. But they have some work to do. Five-star wing Bryson Howard, a 6-foot-5 lefty from Frisco, Texas, and the son of former NBA veteran Josh Howard, was the first to commit, bringing athleticism and scoring ability to the Blue Devils’ class. They followed that up with 7-foot-1 center Maxime Meyer out of Canada, a skilled big man with upside on both ends of the floor. Duke remains in pursuit of several top targets, including five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr., a 6-foot-2 standout from Fairfax, Va., and five-star forward Cameron Williams, a 6-foot-11 prospect from Phoenix, Ariz., keeping the Blue Devils well-positioned to build another elite class.
Grade: B-
Houston Cougars
Few programs have earned more respect nationally than Houston, but for now, the Cougars sit with a modest grade. After bringing in a top-3 class last cycle, Houston has yet to land a commitment but remains in the mix for several key targets. Four-star center Arafan Diane, a 7-foot-1 prospect from Norwalk, Iowa, visited recently and is set to announce his decision on November 19, with Houston firmly in the mix alongside Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Virginia. Four-star guard Ikenna Alozie, a 6-foot-2 standout from Glendale, Ariz., also visited last week and appears close to a decision, while five-star guard Caleb Holt out of New Market, Ala., remains more of a long-shot target. The Cougars may not have their class built yet, but momentum is building, and a strong few weeks could change their outlook quickly.
Grade: C
North Carolina Tar Heels
With the season tipping off this week, North Carolina remains without a commitment in its 2026 recruiting class, a surprising spot for a program of its stature. Hubert Davis and his staff have picked up momentum recently with four-star forward Maximo Adams, a 6-foot-7 prospect from Harbor City, Calif., who visited Chapel Hill last week and canceled an upcoming trip to Duke. Michigan State also remains a key contender in his recruitment. Another name to watch is five-star Deron Rippey Jr., a 6-foot-2 guard from Blairstown, N.J., who visited UNC in August and continues a busy stretch of national visits. The Tar Heels need to land one of these top targets to gain some momentum in the 2026 cycle.
Grade: D+
Louisville Cardinals
After landing a top 10 recruiting class in 2025, Louisville has struggled to find similar success in the 2026 cycle so far. The Cardinals recently picked up a commitment from former four-star guard London Johnson, who spent the past two seasons in the NBA G League after bypassing college. While his addition gives Pat Kelsey’s program a recognizable name, Johnson isn’t expected to be eligible until the 2026-27 season, and there are still questions about whether he’ll ultimately be cleared to play. Beyond Johnson, Louisville has come up short with several top 2026 targets, including five star Taylen Kinney, who committed to Kansas, and four star Colben Landrew, who chose UConn. Another name to monitor was Jaxon Richardson, a 6-foot-6 wing from Miami, Florida, but sources tell me he’s likely to cancel his scheduled visit. There’s still time to gain traction, but for now, the momentum from last year’s top 10 class has cooled.
Grade: D
