Who’s best in the 2027 class? Here’s what coaches say — and what we saw at Peach Jam

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — A year after AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer paced an all-time great freshman class, college basketball coaches (and fans) are understandably eager to discover the next superstar from the high school ranks.

But what if there isn’t one?

This weekend at Peach Jam — the nation’s preeminent grassroots recruiting event, which draws hundreds of coaches, agents and NBA scouts — The Athletic surveyed 25 high-major coaches, all of whom were granted anonymity because NCAA rules prohibit them from commenting on unsigned recruits.

The widespread consensus: The 2027 class — this year’s high school seniors — lacks anyone on par with Dybantsa, Boozer or Cooper Flagg.

“What are these freshmen going to accept?” said one SEC head coach. “As far as their role, but also their pay.”

One Big 12 assistant coach added that his program, which regularly recruits top-25 players, has abstained from recruiting five-stars in this class altogether.

“The five-star tax gets you twice,” the assistant said. “You’ve got to pay it, and you’ve got to play it.”

Still, at least a handful of prospects are poised to enter college as instant-impact starters — if not outright stars. In surveying the 25 coaches, a clear cluster of top players emerged, led by two point guards vying to be the nation’s No. 1 recruit: Beckham Black, an All-Star at this summer’s U17 FIBA World Cup and the younger brother of Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black; and Cayden Daughtry, a fast-rising prospect who averaged 32.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 steals per contest while leading the Florida Rebels to the Peach Jam championship.

Starting with Black and Daughtry, here are the players we found most intriguing this weekend, based on observations and conversations with coaches. This isn’t a ranking of the “best” high school players, but ones we found ourselves continually drawn to (Note: Several coaches voted for multiple players).

Best of the best

All recruiting rankings are via 247Sports.

Beckham Black (No. 1 in 2027): At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Black isn’t as physically overwhelming as his 6-7 older brother, but he’s been the most consistent player in the 2027 class. After leading the United States to a gold medal at the U17 FIBA World Cup and dominating Nike’s Hoop Summit back in April, Black arrived at Peach Jam as the most coveted prospect in high school hoops. Averaging 24.2 points, 5.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game only cemented that status, as Black showcased the poise and basketball IQ you’d expect from an elite point guard prospect.

“Impacts the game at a lot of levels,” a Big Ten head coach said. “He’s very talented in a class that’s not overly talented — but I think he’s a potential No. 1 draft pick.”

Added an ACC assistant: “I haven’t seen anybody that drives winning in multiple ways more than that guy.”

It’s hard to pinpoint Black’s best attribute. He’s always under control and has elite court vision, but can also slither his way into the paint when his team needs a bucket. He’s a creative finisher around the rim, although he’ll need to hone how he plays through contact, and he understands how to involve his teammates when defenses collapse on him. Black only shot 29.3 percent from 3 at Peach Jam, but as an 82.1 percent free-throw shooter, his form suggests he should be fine shooting from long range. It’s clear why Duke, North Carolina, Texas, Arkansas and more are all duking it out for his services. — Brendan Marks

Cayden Daughtry (No. 9 in 2027): Daughtry was on an all-time heater at Peach Jam. According to Cerebro’s tracking, he set records for points scored and efficiency numbers for a high-usage player. He was such a must-watch that coaches who weren’t even recruiting anyone on his team or the opposition showed up to watch him cook.

“He’s one of those kids that can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament because he can control a game,” a Big East head coach said. “He reminds me of (Vanderbilt guard) Tyler Tanner, that ability to control a game.”

“I can’t remember another player having a run like the one he’s having,” a Big 12 assistant added.

He’s not going to end up the No. 1 player in this class because he’s 6-foot and skinny, and rankings are usually about projections, but Daughtry would be my pick. He has feel and vision at point guard, a great handle, and is such a gifted shotmaker that it’s surprising when he misses. He’s one of the best mid-range shooters I’ve seen at his age. Not only does he have awesome touch, but he shoots these rainbows from 10-15 feet, changing the arc to get it over shot blockers. He’s been compared to Trae Young, but has quicker burst and explosiveness at the rim. (He also has interest in playing defense.) I cannot wait to watch him play college basketball. — CJ Moore

Lewis Uvwo (No. 6 in 2027): Uvwo, a 6-10 center, can take over a game with his rim protection. He might be the best defensive prospect at his position since Anthony Davis. Not only is he an elite shot blocker, but he can get out on the floor and guard on the perimeter. He averaged six blocks per game at Peach Jam, the highest in the eight years of data Cerebro has for EYBL. Uvbo also plays with a joy and passion that makes him lovable. He dove for a dead ball after the whistle blew, has been heard letting out a “ha ha” when he blocks a shot, and on Saturday, busted out the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag after disagreeing with a call.

Offensively, Uvwo is a rim roller. He can flip his hips quickly and get out of a screen. He’s excellent on the offensive glass, with great anticipation for when a ball is coming off the rim. Because of his minimal offensive skill, a few fellow reporters pushed back when I said he could be a day one starter at just about any program, but the last four national champs have had an elite rim-protecting center. Winning at the rim is imperative in today’s college basketball. — Moore

Ahmad Hudson (No. 23 in 2027): Hudson was the most athletic prospect I saw this weekend, which makes sense, because he’s also the No. 1 tight end in the 2027 football recruiting class, and one of the centerpieces of Lane Kiffin’s next class at LSU. A 6-foot, 6.5-inch wing, Hudson looks like he could play in college tomorrow, with jump-out-of-the-gym hops that make him a total menace on the glass, almost like he’s high-pointing a touchdown toss in the end zone. Hudson led Peach Jam with 12.6 rebounds per game and averaged 18.6 points, 2.8 steals and 2.4 blocks, too. He isn’t much of a shooter and profiles entirely as a slashing/defensive wing, but he was a one-man wrecking crew this weekend. We’ll see how (or if) he splits time with Will Wade’s LSU program, and if he can continue developing from a skill perspective, but his effort, energy and athleticism are all high-major caliber. — Marks

Best of the rest

Benjamin Berrouet (No. 22 in 2028): Black and Daughtry were the biggest winners of this weekend, but looking a year ahead, the 2028 player I heard the most coaches gushing over was easily the 6-foot-7 Berrouet. One Big Ten head coach compared the rising junior to a young Cameron Boozer — and it’s easy to see why if you watch him for even a few minutes.

Berrouet needs to continue honing his body over the next few years, but from a skills standpoint, he’s the total package. He shoots the lights out with a pristine stroke, which allowed him to make six of his 12 3-point tries this weekend. He rebounds like a grown man, with at least 10 per game and an average of 13. He sees the floor exceptionally well and seems to always make the right decision. And in space, he’s a much more creative, nimble driver than his frame would suggest, with a handful of Euro steps on Friday that audibly wowed multiple top-25 coaches in attendance. If Berrouet were in the 2027 class, I’d argue he belongs in the top five, if not the top three. I’d bet he earns multiple votes a year from now as the best rising prospect for 2028. — Marks

Asa Montgomery (No. 42 in 2027): I’ll bet the 6-7 Montgomery ends up a top-10 prospect in this class. Among the wings I watched the last two weeks on the Nike circuit, no one had a better combination of size, physique and skill, and coaches are noticing. He played for AOT, a team on the lower EYCL circuit (Nike’s version of Triple-A), and it’s rare to see many high-major coaches at those games. On Friday morning, Montgomery played in a gym packed with high-major coaches, including heavy hitters like Tom Izzo, Dan Hurley, Todd Golden, Tommy Lloyd and Nate Oats. As one coach told me, Montgomery and Daughtry improved their stock more than any players in July. — Moore

Oneal Delancy (No. 54 in 2027): Delancy, a 6-2 guard, played for the same team as Daughtry and had to function in a very large shadow, but he was an excellent Robin. The analytics experts wouldn’t like his style because he loves the mid-range jumper, but his ability to go to his right, stop on a dime and nail those shots is hard to stop. Delancy, who looks and plays bigger than his size, visited Houston this summer. That makes a ton of sense because no program has leaned into sticking its middle finger up at the no-mid-range movement like the Coogs. — Moore

Oneal Delancy, a top-60 combo guard, has offers from Houston, Florida State, Maryland and Miami, among others. (Katie Goodale / USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

Jack Kohnen (No. 61 in 2027): Kohnen, an Iowa State commit, isn’t the flashiest player, but TJ Otzelberger has another potential gem headed to Ames who can do a little bit of everything. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Kohnen can shoot, pass and handle without being the highest-volume option. Playing alongside 2027 Duke commit Kager Knueppel and several other high-major talents, Kohnen only averaged 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, but he was the biggest connector on the team and did whatever was necessary to win. The best evidence of Kohnen’s versatility is that he had 35 points in one game, seven assists in another and four steals in a third, all while shooting 40 percent from 3 on five attempts per game. He might not be a future star, but here’s to betting he wins a ton of games for the Cyclones. — Marks

Tate McCollum (unranked in 2027): One coach told me the best story at Peach Jam was Iowa coach Ben McCollum’s son, whose Kingdom Hoops team won the EYCL and got a spot in the showcase.

In the land of one-on-one ball that grassroots basketball can be, watching Kingdom Hoops was like seeing an Ivy League team give a scare to a high-major in the NCAA Tournament. They played together with tons of movement and passing and back cuts. And McCollum is like a miniature Bennett Stirtz: constantly in motion, able to run for days and making all the right pick-and-roll reads. He’s also willing to pull it from 30 feet, shooting a Peach Jam-high 12.4 3-pointers per game — knocking down 35.5 percent — and ended up averaging 17.4 points for the week. When I commented on his range to his dad, he said he has to. At 5-foot-11, McCollum is too short to play amongst the trees. He might not have the size to play for his dad, but he could be a really fun mid-major point guard. — Moore