There is no question the recruiting of high school basketball prospects has been turned upside down, starting with the 2023-24 academic year. That’s when the NCAA officially started to allow athletes to transfer multiple times with immediate eligibility.
As a result, college coaches salivate over the prospect of filling their rosters with older, more established players — no matter the level — in order to win immediately. The chopping block for coaches comes quickly now at the college level, so staying old and relevant has become paramount. And you can’t do that while waiting for freshmen to mature and develop.
Even the recruiting calendar has shifted, due mostly to the emphasis on the transfer portal in the spring months.
Make no mistake about it, college programs, especially at the low-major and mid-major levels, will still be enticed with the high school kid that fits. They may even be able to secure a recruiting steal today more than ever before.
Here are five players in the Class of 2026 who will open the eyes of college coaches at various levels in the coming weeks.
Rashaun Porter, DePaul Prep
The biggest, most established name on this list. But this is even a different Porter than the one most last saw leading the Rams to a Class 3A state title in March.
Simply put, the physically-imposing 6-7 Porter is looking and playing like a stable, steadfast senior who has set the bar high. He has showcased with the Illinois Wolves that he is more comfortable and confident than ever before.
Jordan Williams, Fremd
The versatile 6-5 Williams has evolved from a talented player without a position last summer to a bona fide big wing. He’s also been too good this spring with his Elevate team on the circuit to go unnoticed.
No player has raised their stock more without college coaches watching this spring than Williams. Now he gets to showcase all that he brings to the table in front of them.
Michael Nee, Glenbard East
This is a scholarship player at some level due to the fact he’s one of the premier shooters in the state. In today’s game, shooting the basketball is at an absolute premium. And Nee can absolutely fill it up.
The goal is simple going forward for the 6-1 guard: raise the stock from a no-brainer Division II prospect to Division I.
Earlier this spring on the opening weekend of the Adidas circuit with his club team Breakaway, Nee had a 35-point game with 11 three-pointers.
Chris Bolte, St. Ignatius
The combination of playing with his Breakaway travel team on the Adidas circuit and taking over for Phoenix Gill as the stalwart for Ignatius will be a boon for the 6-6 Bolte.
The gritty Bolte has a game that’s even more diverse than he’s shown up to this point. He will be stronger and a more versatile threat going forward and is out to prove he can be a mid-major prospect when it’s all said and done.
Cooper Knowles, West Hancock
No, he doesn’t play in the Chicago area. He’s an unknown player from a tiny high school with an enrollment of 140 students in the middle of nowhere — 35 miles north of Quincy, just across the Mississippi River from Keokuk, Iowa.
But the intriguing 6-9 Knowles, who plays on the travel circuit with Mid-Pro Academy based in central Illinois, oozes potential. While still very raw, he runs, jumps and dunks just about everything.
