College coaches at the Division I level spend a lot of time on the recruiting trail, talking to the top high school recruits, their agents and their families, trying to convince athletes that their school and athletic programs are the best choice. But entering the 2026 Panini Hoophall Classic, six of ESPN’s top-10 boys high school basketball players in the class of 2026 are still unsigned and uncommitted to a school.
Nine of those ten are displaying their talent on the national stage inside Blake Arena at Springfield College at the Hoophall Classic, garnering coverage from ESPN and the NBA in hopes to improve their offers and catch the attention of other programs. Let’s take a look at some of these recruits and their offers to see where they might hit the court next winter.
Tyran Stokes, Forward, Rainier Beach HS (WA): Stokes headlines the 2026 boys’ basketball recruiting class as a five star recruit with a 95 scout grade. Stokes is currently unsigned despite having received 26 Division I offers. 247sports.com and ESPN narrowed his offers down to a top three of Oregon, Kentucky and Kansas, with 247sports.com predicting Stokes to commit to Kansas.
Stokes could definitely consider Kansas, as they have four forwards on roster, including a senior, which allows Stokes to get some early playing time. Kentucky is deeper at the forward position, having eight on the roster and only one senior. Oregon also has a plethora of forwards on the roster but six of them are upperclassmen, opening the door for Stokes to get some playing time. Stokes and Rainier Beach face off against Bishop McNamara High School inside Blake Arena on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Jordan Smith, Combo Guard, Paul VI HS, (VA): Smith enters the Hoophall Classic as the No. 3 ranked recruit in the nation. From Fairfax, Va., Smith stayed close to home, attending Paul VI High School, located in his home town. Smith is also a five star recruit, landing a 94 scout grade. 247sports.com and ESPN predict his top three choices to be Duke, Arkansas and Arizona State, with 247sports.com predicting a commitment to Duke.
Duke does have several guards currently, but many of them can also slot in at forward. Duke’s guard room is very young, however, so if Smith chooses to be a Blue Devil, he would likely have to earn his playing time early on. Arkansas also boasts a large, young guard room, with only one junior and three freshmen, so Smith would also have his work cut out for him if he chooses to play for Razorbacks head coach John Calipari. If Smith looks out west to Arizona State, he would find a plethora of guards on the roster but also several seniors. If Smith chooses the Sun Devils, he could likely force his way on the roster early on. Smith and Paul VI High School square off with Phoenix St. Mary’s High School on Monday inside Blake Arena, tipping off at 1 p.m.
Dylan Mingo, Point Guard, Long Island Lutheran (NY): ESPN’s No. 9 recruit Dylan Mingo is no stranger to the Hoophall Classic, as he and his brother Kayden showcased their skills for Long Island Lutheran at last year’s Classic. Kayden now plays at Penn State, and is actively trying to recruit Dylan and reunite the brother duo. Dylan, however, is still weighing all of his options. He has narrowed it down to a top four of Baylor (with influence from former teammate and current Philadelphia 76er VJ Edgecombe), North Carolina, Penn State and Washington. Dylan looks to make a decision by this Thursday, Jan. 22, just after the conclusion of the Hoophall Classic, but knows it is more than just the on-court talent that is necessary to make his decision.
“They’re all great schools,” Mingo said. “But [I want to go] somewhere I feel comfortable at even if I wasn’t playing basketball, and the trust I have with the coach, with the head coach especially, a cool coaching staff. [The] decision’s not fully made yet. [In] a couple days.”
Mingo and Long Island Lutheran fell to Arizona Compass Prep on Saturday 59-58, as fans wait in anticipation to see where Mingo will play next winter.