In the world of basketball, a few names have emerged as standout prospects for the upcoming NBA draft, capturing the attention of scouts and analysts alike. Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, and VJ Edgecombe have been must-watch players the last few years. They’ve become household names to anyone who’s paid attention to the ESPN 100 recruiting rankings. Their paths from high school hopefuls to future NBA lottery picks foreshadow a bright career ahead for these talented young players.
Walter Clayton Jr. has been the most impressive of this exciting cast. He received second-team All-SEC accolades for the 2023 season and led the Florida Gators to a national championship in 2025. His incredible showing throughout the tournament landed him the accolade of Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Ryan Kalkbrenner, another prospect on the rise, made his mark during his tenure at Creighton, showcasing his skills and determination.
The Next Generation of Talent
Cooper Flagg immediately became one of the most heavily buzzed about players to watch. Unequivocally one of the most versatile and talented athletes, he was a permanent mainstay on the recruiting circuit. His ability to impact games on both ends of the court has led many to predict a bright future in professional basketball.
Dylan Harper has similarly attracted attention. With his combination of size and skill, he has proven himself to be a formidable opponent throughout his high school career. Scouts have been hard pressed to get a read on his ability to convert that skill into production at the professional level.
Another player who has been a pleasant surprise is Ace Bailey. Bailey is perhaps most identifiable by his athleticism and scoring, which are at a freak show level. Basketball junkies have been waiting to see him for years. His performance in high school has shown that he possesses both the talent and work ethic needed to excel in professional basketball.
VJ Edgecombe completes this talented trio of big men. His distinct playing style, highlighted by his cool demeanor and clutch performances, has since turned him into a coach and scout’s sparkplug. All four of these players should make immediate impacts in the NBA.
Walter Clayton Jr.’s Dominance
With his blending of size, skill, and potential, Walter Clayton Jr. has quickly established himself as one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class. For starters, he measures 7 feet tall with a 7-foot 5-inch wingspan. This rare combination of size, length, and leaping ability has made him an elite rim protector. His skill set matched with such size is nearly impossible to defend, making him an even bigger asset on both ends of the floor.
Clayton’s NCAA tournament run in 2025 sealed the deal as he proved to be a clutch top prospect. In doing so, he displayed astounding physical fortitude and remarkable mental toughness. His leadership led the team to six Super Bowl appearances and won them three championships during his career.
“Walter is not only the most talented shotmaker and creator I’ve been around, he also is simply a winner. Great teammate, well-conditioned athlete, unwavering confidence. He’s everything you would want in a leader and a modern NBA scoring point guard.” – Todd Golden
All coaches and scouts in the field have lauded his work ethic and commitment to getting better. As Todd Ramasar pointed out, “His end game was not to accept a big, fat short-term NIL deal.
Ryan Kalkbrenner’s Journey
Ryan Kalkbrenner’s story, from undersized recruit in high school to first-team All-Conference player at Creighton shows how hard work pays off. Playing at Trinity Catholic High School in Missouri, he garnered attention with a solid four-star rating just outside the ESPN 100 rankings.
Kalkbrenner decided to sign with Creighton over blue bloods Stanford and Kansas. This decision is an example of his elite confidence in his own abilities as well as the support his coaches provided him. In the 2023-24 campaign, he averaged 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was recognized with the prestigious NABC Player of the Year award.
“I loved Creighton, coach Mac, the staff, and I met my wife there,” – Ryan Kalkbrenner
Kalkbrenner’s development as a player begins with the nurturing atmosphere established by his coaching staff. Socially they created an environment of confidence and development, which let him flourish.
“We instilled confidence in him to grow, and he never had to look over his shoulder. It really helped his overall development.” – Jones
The Rise of Danny Wolf
While not as well-known nationally, Danny Wolf is another name making NBA scouts sit up and take notice. And now colleges such as Minnesota and Penn State are competing for his attention with offers. His gaudy talent has drawn the attention of pro teams too. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-2-inch wingspan, Wolf has eye-popping physical tools.
Throughout his high school career at Lake Forest Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon, he maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 39% from beyond the arc. This capacity to shoot with range would be a huge boon for his game.
Wolf’s path to success serves as a reminder that dedication and perseverance can open doors to more competitive levels of play.
“He was trying so hard to be good,” – Jones
His dedication to the process has been hard to miss by coaching staff who have echoed his name as a nice stash in an up-and-coming player.
The Impact of Emerging Stars
The emergence of these youthful singular talents is just one indicator of how much the landscape of basketball recruiting has changed. With increased visibility through social media and exposure from prestigious tournaments, high school players are now entering into professional conversations earlier than ever before.
Scouts would be especially impressed by players that showed skill development and leadership traits. The focus on collaboration and grit is frequently what distinguishes those who will thrive at the highest levels.
Alluringly, as these players prepare to take their next steps, they bring their astonishing skills along with them. They carry invaluable lessons learned from their experiences on and off the court.
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