The Hoophall Classic once again showcased some of the nation’s top high school basketball talent, and I had the opportunity to see several players stand out on the big stage. In this article, I break down the top performers, highlighting not only their impact on the floor but also their recruiting situations and where they stand as they prepare for the next level.
Jason Crowe (Missouri)
Jason Crowe delivered the top performance of the weekend with a sensational outing that stole the spotlight. The 6-foot-3 guard out of Inglewood, Calif., erupted for a Hoophall Classic single-game scoring record of 48 points in Inglewood’s thrilling 81-80 win over Notre Dame-West Haven, showcasing his full offensive bag and scoring efficiently at all three levels. Crowe’s outburst featured a barrage of three-pointers, consistent trips to the free-throw line and several eye-catching plays that electrified the crowd, reaffirming his status as one of the nation’s top-five prospects. Crowe is a key piece of one of the nation’s top recruiting classes and plans to head to Missouri for his freshman season.
Jordan Smith Jr. (Undecided)
Jordan Smith Jr. was one of the standout performers, putting together an impressive all-around performance. The dynamic 6-foot-3 guard from Fairfax, Va. controlled the game with his scoring, playmaking and rebounding, consistently making the right reads while impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Smith’s ability to score at all three levels, create for others and defend multiple positions has put him in the conversation as, maybe, the top player in all of high school basketball. His three-point shot, once considered a weakness, has now developed into one of his strengths. On the recruiting trail, Smith Jr. continues to draw heavy interest from his top six programs and remains one of the most coveted prospects in the ‘26 class, with coaches from Duke, Arkansas, Kentucky and Syracuse in attendance throughout the weekend. He remains a few months away from making his college decision.
Cam Williams (Duke)
It was my first opportunity to watch five-star Duke commit Cam Williams since this summer, and he certainly did not disappoint. He faced a tough matchup against Paul VI and Jordan Smith Jr., but he more than held his own, scoring 31 points and single-handedly keeping his team in the game against one of the top high school programs in the country. The 6-foot-11 forward out of Phoenix, Ariz., scored it from all over the floor, hitting tough shots that kept his team competitive. His ability to defend multiple positions, including smaller players on the perimeter, was eye-popping, as he matched up with Jordan Smith multiple times and made things difficult for the talented five-star guard. In my opinion, Williams is the No. 1 player in this year’s class because of his production, long-term potential and ability to control the game with little to no help around him. A very impressive performance from the future Blue Devil.
Tyran Stokes (Undecided)
Tyran Stokes had an outstanding performance this weekend, displaying his rare combination of size, skill and versatility. The 6-foot-7 forward out of Louisville, Ky. poured in 37 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, collected 5 steals and added 3 blocks to lead Rainier Beach to an exciting 91-85 overtime victory, showing why recruiting services have him as the consensus No. 1 recruit in the nation. His ability to impact the game on both ends, score at all three levels, rebound with strength and defend multiple positions are what makes him such an incredibly unique prospect. On the recruiting front, Stokes continues to draw heavy interest from the nation’s elite programs, with Kentucky in attendance watching him at Hoophall and Kansas remaining a key contender in the battle for the No. 1 prospect.
JJ Crawford (Undecided)
It’s hard to mention Tyran Stokes without mentioning his counterpart, JJ Crawford, who turned in an impressive performance of his own at the Hoophall Classic. The son of NBA veteran Jamal Crawford, the 6-foot-3 guard out of Seattle, Wash. was highly efficient on his way to 32 points, consistently making his presence felt with his shotmaking, handle, and ability to control the offense. Crawford scored within the flow of the game while keeping the defense off balance, showing a strong feel for the game playing off Stokes and creating opportunities for himself and others when needed. His confidence as a scorer, poise with the ball and command of the offense really stood out and proved why he is viewed as one of the top high school freshmen. Crawford currently holds offers from Kansas, Michigan, Washington and many others.
Christian Collins (Undecided)
Christian Collins was one of the key contributors at the Hoophall Classic, finishing his one matchup with 24 points on 10 of 19 shooting and 9 rebounds while showing why he remains among the elite forward prospects in the 2026 class. The 6-foot-8 forward from Bellflower, Calif. had a strong performance that included a mix of perimeter shooting and attacking the basket, complementing his offense with physical rebounding and activity on both ends of the floor. Collins’s energy, toughness and competitive chip on his shoulder have made him one of my favorite players in the entire class. His recruitment still appears wide open, with USC, Arkansas, Kentucky, UCLA, Vanderbilt and Illinois all involved and a decision still a few months away.
Antonio Pemberton (Undecided)
I’ve been high on Antonio Pemberton for the last couple of seasons, and while he might not yet be a household name in the 2027 class, I can confidently say he’s going to be a stud at the college level. The 6-foot-1 guard from Wolfeboro, N.H. has shown consistent scoring efficiency throughout his junior season, and that continued at Hoophall. What makes him special is his complete package: the ability to get downhill off the bounce, knock down shots from the outside, lock in defensively, and use his athleticism to impact all areas of the game. His combination of skill, effort and competitiveness are truly elite traits. Recruiting is just getting started for Pemberton, who has taken official visits to Utah and Marquette. He has a visit scheduled to Purdue in early February, signaling that more of the top programs are beginning to recognize what a difference-maker he can be at the next level.
King Gibson (Undecided)
King Gibson was one of the stars on a loaded SPIRE Academy team that went 2-0 on the weekend in Springfield. The 6-foot-5 guard from Burlington, N.C. transferred from Montverde to SPIRE this summer, following coach Kevin Boyle in his first season in Ohio. Gibson’s performance at Hoophall highlighted his complete offensive game, attacking the rim, knocking down outside shots and creating for teammates. His ability to guard multiple positions, combined with his defensive intensity, makes him one of the top guards in his class. On the recruiting trail, Gibson has already drawn interest from several major programs, with NC State emerging as an early school to watch for the talented five-star prospect.
Abdou Toure (Arkansas)
Abdou Toure, a 6-foot-5 wing from West Haven, Conn., was absolutely dominant at the Hoophall Classic, putting on a show with his explosive athleticism and rim‑rattling dunks. This marked the third time I’ve seen Toure this year, and I came away even more impressed with his ability to finish above the rim, attack in transition and energize both ends of the floor. Even in a loss to Inglewood and Jason Crowe, he poured in 31 points, using the explosiveness, strength and skill that make him one of the most electric athletes in high school basketball. Arkansas and John Calipari are getting a special player when he arrives in Fayetteville this summer.
Maxi Adams (North Carolina)
Maxi Adams had a great summer on the EYBL circuit and his success has continued so far this season with Sierra Canyon. Adams put together a strong overall performance this weekend and proved he is one of the most polished wings in the country. The North Carolina commit displayed his smooth scoring ability, knocking down shots from multiple levels while attacking the rim and playing high-level defense on the other end of the floor. The 6-foot-7 wing out of Harbor City, Calif., is a key piece for the Tar Heels next season, as he is currently their only commit in the 2026 class. His ability to score, rebound and defend will almost certainly allow him to make an immediate impact next season in Chapel Hill.
Additional info:
Caleb Holt (Undecided)
Five-star guard Caleb Holt once again showed why he’s one of the most coveted players in the 2026 class. Despite Prolific Prep falling to Dynamic Prep, the 6-foot-5 guard from New Market, Ala., made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, scoring at all levels, creating for teammates and locking down defensively. It was a strong showing from one of the top two-way prospects in the country. Holt narrowed his list to five programs in late December, with Arizona, Alabama and Houston emerging as frontrunners, and most expect the decision to come down to Alabama and Arizona. While his choice is still a few months away, these are the programs to watch closely as the finish line approaches.
Qayden Samuels (Undecided)
Qayden Samuels was unable to suit up at the Hoophall Classic, as he was dealing with an ankle injury he suffered at the City of Palms Classic, continuing a frustrating stretch of injuries that has limited him for much of the season. The talented 6-foot-6 guard out of District Heights, Md. has been battling both ankle and shoulder issues since the beginning of the high school season. On the recruiting trail, Samuels has narrowed his list to Georgetown and Alabama, with Alabama viewed as the favorite as his recruitment appears to be nearing a conclusion.
Dylan Mingo (Undecided)
Dylan Mingo made his season debut at the Hoophall Classic after missing much of the year due to a foot injury. Limited by a minutes restriction, he didn’t quite look like himself, which was understandable after such a long layoff. On the recruiting front, Mingo has trimmed his list to four schools: Baylor, North Carolina, Penn State and Washington, with Baylor and UNC considered the favorites. He had initially planned to announce his decision this week but postponed it, and one source suggested other programs might still be trying to get involved. This recruitment clearly isn’t wrapped up just yet.
Meet your guide
