Basketball recruiting early signing period is open. What you need to know
Basketball players in the 2026 recruiting class can put pen to paper starting Wednesday, Nov. 12 as the early signing period opens and runs through Nov. 19. Regular signing day is April 15.
Schools’ reliance on the the transfer portal has had a significant impact on recruiting high school seniors, with 16 of the top-25 ranked prospects, per 247Sports Composite, still uncommitted.
The highest-ranked commit in the 2026 class is eighth-ranked Anthony Thompson, who is committed to Ohio State.
Here are some storylines and thoughts as the early signing period tips off:
HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.
Where will No. 1 player Tyran Stokes commit?
The No. 1 prospect, Tyran Stokes, is uncommitted… and looking for a high school team for his senior season. On Nov. 5, the Louisville native withdrew from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Stokes recently cut his list of finalists to three: Kentucky, Kansas and Oregon. Stokes hasn’t announced an official time or date for his decision, but one is expected soon, per reports.
Who has highest ranked 2026 recruiting class?
Up to this point, Kansas has 247Sports’ top-ranked class with four commits, led by five-star point guard Taylen Kinney (No. 16) out of Overtime Elite.
Future Jayhawks also include four star center Davion Adkins (No. 30; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), four-star small forward Trent Perry (No. 105; Branson, Mo.) and four-star shooting guard Luke Barnett (No. 144; Santa Ana, Calif.).
Missouri basketball recruiting on the rise
Dennis Gates has the second-ranked class as of Nov. 12 with commitments from five-star combo guard Jason Crowe Jr. (No. 9; Inglewood, Calif.), four-star power forward Toni Bryant (No. 20; Zephyrhills, Fla.) and four-star shooting guard Aidan Chronister (No. 93; Fayetteville, Ark.).
Top 10 team 2026 class rankings… so far
Remember, these rankings will change with so many prospects still uncommitted.
Per 247Sports.
- Kansas (four commits)
- Missouri (three commits)
- Oklahoma State (three commits)
- Michigan State (three commits)
- Florida State (four commits)
- Pitt (three commits)
- Mississippi State (three commits)
- Wake Forest (three commits)
- Gonzaga (three commits)
- Michigan (four commits)
G League players headed to college
College coaches have lined up to complain about the NCAA for its changing player eligibility guidelines after former NBA G League players have committed to college programs.
Bill Self, Tom Izzo and Matt Painter have been among those taking issue with former pros dropping down to college ball.
‘I am going to get myself in trouble, but I listen to people talk about how kids changed. Kids aren’t the problem, we’re the problem,’ Izzo said after Louisville got a commitment from London Johnson. ‘This was sprung on us again yesterday where a guy can be in the G League for two or three years and then all of a sudden, he’s eligible. Most of my people knew nothing about it. … I’m not real excited about the NCAA or whoever is making these decisions, without talking to us, just letting it go. They’re afraid they’re going to get sued.’
Egyptian big man Abdullah Ahmed, who spent the past two seasons with the Westchester Knicks, committed to BYU on Nov. 11.
No. 1 Purdue has big shoes to fill
The Boilermakers, currently atop the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, will have plenty of holes to fill on next year’s roster with expected graduations of Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer.
Matt Painter plucked Luke Ertel (No. 41; Fortville, Ind.) out of Indianapolis’ northern suburbs much like he did Braden Smith. Ertel gets compared to Smith quite a bit, but their games are different. Whereas Smith was off the radar of most recruiting lists, Ertel is a known commodity… with huge shoes to fill.
Purdue is also adding two players from prep powerhouse La Lumiere. Forwards Jacob Webber (No. 72; Kearney, Neb.) and Rivers Knight (No. 209; Charlotte, N.C.).
∎ Here’s more Journal and Courier reporter Sam King on Boilers’ 2026 class and how they fit.
