Rivals 2026 Rankings: Storylines surrounding the initial top 65

Rivals' first rankings for the class of 2026 have been signed, sealed and delivered. For now, the list includes just 65 prospects, but it will expand to 150 over the coming year. The class promises to be one of the best and deepest collection of talent in years and it is led by AJ Dybantsa, who recently transferred to California's Prolific Prep, where he will play his sophomore season alongside No. 2 overall prospect Tyran Stokes.

Below, Rivals recruiting director Rob Cassidy examines a few of the notable storylines created by the initial top 65.

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There wasn’t a lot of drama when it came to choosing a top player in the 2026 class, as AJ Dybantsa is clearly the most complete and versatile prospect in the group. There’s a reason he already has NBA scouts talking about draft stock, after all.

The 6-foot-7 forward has already been the subject of early reclassification rumors, which may or may not materialize down the road. Nevertheless, Dybantsa will be difficult to unseat as long as he remains in the class, as the long, athletic, skilled wing played up an age group in this year's 17U EYBL and averaged 17.1 points per game while doing so, a number that ranked in the top 20 on the circuit.

He really found his groove during Peach Jam, however, as the 25.8 PPG he averaged led the event. Dybantsa is more than just a scorer, however, as he packs high-level defensive versatility, solid ball-handling ability and massive upside as a rebounder.

The Napa (Calif.) Prolific Prep sophomore holds early offers from schools such as Boston College, UConn, Alabama, Michigan, Auburn and Georgetown.

The initial top 15 includes high-level talent as usual, but this year’s crop of elite prospects also carries a familiar flavor, as sons of NBA standouts Gilbert Arenas, Monty Williams and Trevor Ariza all grace the top of the list.

The high-scoring and lightning quick Alijah Arenas checks in at No. 4, Elijah Williams, who already holds offers from a good chunk of the Pac-12, sits at No. 6, and 6-foot-6 wing Tajh Ariza is ranked 11th and looks to be one of the more versatile prospects in the class.

In a class that includes a number of point guards with top 15 potential, Brandon McCoy Jr. stands above the rest for now. He’s the only true point guard in the initial top 10 and will look to hold off pushes from quick sharp-shooting floor-general Jason Crowe (No. 13) and the long and physical Dylan Mingo (No. 17).

McCoy’s standing as the top guard in the class is the product of the summer he spent with Arizona Unity on the grassroots circuit – a summer in which he proved to be not only one of the country's most capable long-range shooters but also a prolific shot creator. The Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco star is capable of taking over games in multiple ways, and his physical makeup suggests he could develop into a lockdown defender as he adds muscle.

Keiner Asprilla, the second-ranked center in the class behind Mississippi-based five-star Sam Funches, oozes with potential as both a rim protector and a skilled offensive weapon. The New Jersey-based big man is a lot more fluid and agile than most young 7-footers, and he showed a knack for impacting games on the defensive end at this year’s Peach Jam.

It’s his developing face-up game, however, that’s most encouraging. He still has some work to do when it comes to diversifying his offensive game, sure, but his trajectory on that front is encouraging at this young age.

Placing the young center so high is a bit of a risk, but it’s one that seems like it could pay off in the long term based on Asprilla’s physical tools and willingness to develop as a face-up threat.