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While the 2024-25 college basketball season just got underway, coaching staffs always need to be thinking a year ahead -- and with the early signing period upon us, it's time to unveil ESPN's initial top 10 recruiting class rankings for 2025-26. It's still early in the process, but a couple of storylines are beginning to emerge: Duke at the top once again: The Blue Devils finished with the No. 1 class last year, and are well-positioned to end up there again. Jon Scheyer already landed five-star twins Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer, as well as top-35 prospects Shelton Henderson and Nikolas Khamenia.
Surprise classes could get even better: The top four classes aren't unexpected -- three bluebloods, and John Calipari. But not far behind that group are two schools (Notre Dame and LSU) that aren't regulars in this space. And, both classes aren't done. The Fighting Irish are squarely in the mix for top-five prospect Nate Ament, while the Tigers are in pursuit of Chris Cenac Jr. Classes to watch during the early period: If No. 1 prospect A.J. Dybantsa opts to announce -- with BYU as the favorite -- then his choice of program would obviously find itself in the top 10 at the end of the period. If Kingston Flemings picks Houston, the Cougars will be ranked. Syracuse is the favorite for Kiyan Anthony; the Orange will be in the top 10 if he commits. Note: Class rankings are determined by a mathematical formula weighting different factors related to the quality and quantity of players in the class.   1. Duke Blue DevilsTop recruit: Cameron Boozer (No. 2) Jon Scheyer continues to keep Duke at the top of the recruiting pecking order. He had to work harder than initially perceived for the commitments of Cameron Boozer (No. 2) and Cayden Boozer (No. 17), the sons of former Duke big man and NBA veteran Carlos Boozer, but ultimately beat out Miami for the twins. The Boozer brothers bring winning pedigree after incredibly decorated high school careers. Shelton Henderson (No. 30) is a big-bodied wing, while Nikolas Khamenia (No. 35) has boosted his stock with his performances on the USA Basketball circuit. The Blue Devils also remain involved with top-five prospect Nate Ament.
 2. UConn HuskiesTop recruit: Darius Adams (No. 19) Winning back-to-back national championships is a nice recruiting pitch. The Huskies have already landed three top-25 recruits: Darius Adams (No. 19), Eric Reibe (No. 23) and Braylon Mullins (No. 24). It's the first time since the ESPN recruiting database started in 2007 that UConn has multiple top-25 recruits in the same class. Adams can play both guard spots, while Mullins is one of the elite shooters in the class. Reibe, a left-handed 7-footer, is a skilled big man and the No. 2 center in the country. Dan Hurley also landed skilled Australia native Jacob Furphy.
 3. Arkansas RazorbacksTop recruit: Darius Acuff (No. 8) John Calipari is accustomed to getting elite recruiting classes, and will continue to do so in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are the only program with multiple top-10 recruits right now, with Darius Acuff (No. 8) and Meleek Thomas (No. 9) both committed. Acuff, the best point guard in the 2025 class, became the 16th five-star point guard to commit to Calipari since 2009. Thomas, a big-time scorer, announced for the Razorbacks just before the signing period. These two should form an incredibly dynamic backcourt for Arkansas next season.
 4. Kentucky WildcatsTop recruit: Jasper Johnson (No. 13) Mark Pope is never going to be John Calipari on the recruiting trail, but he doesn't need to be -- and he answered a lot of questions about his ability to recruit high-level high school prospects with this recruiting class. There were some things working in the Wildcats' favor: five-star guard Jasper Johnson (No. 13) is from Lexington, Malachi Moreno (No. 37) is another in-state recruit. But Pope still had to fight off big-time competition, particularly for Johnson. Meanwhile, Acaden Lewis (No. 28), out of Washington D.C., is one of the best point guards nationally.
 5. Notre Dame Fighting IrishTop recruit: Jalen Haralson (No. 10) If and when Micah Shrewsberry gets things going in South Bend, he's going to look back on late September 2024 as the week that took the Irish to a new level. Within a five-day span, the Fighting Irish landed three ESPN 100 commitments, including the program's highest-ranked prospect in the modern era. It started on a Monday with Brady Koehler (No. 98), followed by the big target: top-10 recruit Jalen Haralson (No. 10), the best boys' high school player in the state of Indiana. Notre Dame beat out Indiana for Haralson. Two days later, ESPN 100 wing Ryder Frost (No. 97) committed. Three-star center Tommy Ahneman rounded out the group before the month ended.
 6. SMU MustangsTop recruit: Jaden Toombs (No. 38) Andy Enfield built a competitive team for Year 1 in the ACC -- also his first year as the Mustangs' head coach -- but he's bringing his high school recruiting success at USC to Dallas. The Mustangs have three ESPN 100 prospects already committed: Jaden Toombs (No. 38), Nigel Walls (No. 62) and Jermaine O'Neal (No. 88). Toombs' elite rebounding ability should translate early to the college level; Walls needs to physically develop but has a high ceiling; and O'Neal can make plays at both ends of the floor.
 7. Michigan WolverinesTop recruit: Trey McKenney (No. 16) Michigan vaulted into the rankings just before the signing period, when Dusty May landed his first five-star recruit as head coach: Trey McKenney (No. 16). The in-state guard is one of the tougher matchups in the class due to his strength and ability to score at all three levels. He's joined a class that already includes four-star wing Winters Grady and New Zealand native Oscar Goodman, who broke out at last summer's FIBA U17 World Cup.
 8. LSU TigersTop recruit: Jalen Reece (No. 60) Matt McMahon has eschewed too many quick-fix recruiting tactics since taking over in Baton Rouge, and has landed five ESPN 100 prospects in the past two years. This group has two of those five, in Jalen Reece (No. 60) and Mazi Mosley (No. 75), while four-star center Matt Gilhool is also committed. LSU remains in a strong position for Chris Cenac Jr., the No. 1 center in the class of 2025.
 9. Iowa State CyclonesTop recruit: Jamarion Batemon (No. 63) TJ Otzelberger has made a habit of getting his high school recruiting work done early in the cycle, which was once again the case for his 2025 class. Both ESPN 100 prospects -- Jamarion Bateman (No. 63) and Xzavion Mitchell (No. 70) -- committed before the July live period began. Iowa State also has pledges from guards Macari Moore and Killyan Toure. Bateman stood out in the spring and summer as someone who fits well in Iowa State's system given his competitiveness and defensive intensity.
 10. Mississippi State BulldogsTop recruit: King Grace (No. 67) With a top-10 class entering the early signing period -- landing the top-ranked player in the state of Mississippi in the process -- Chris Jans continues the momentum started by back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. The aforementioned in-state prospect is Jamarion Davis-Fleming (No. 94), who can block shots at a high rate and run the floor in transition. But the best player in the class is King Grace (No. 67), a terrific scorer who can get points at all three levels. Four-star wing Cameren Paul is also committed.
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