The Unquestioned Alpha: Williams' Dominant Summer
As the dust settles on a blistering summer AAU circuit, one truth has emerged with resounding clarity: the Class of 2028 belongs to AJ Williams. While the top spot in any rising junior class is always debated, Williams has silenced nearly all dissenters with a performance that was not just dominant, but historically efficient. Playing for the vaunted Team United squad on the Nike EYBL circuit, the 6’8" Charlotte native put together a statistical campaign that left our scouts and opposing coaches searching for superlatives. Averaging 24.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game, he didn't just fill the stat sheet; he bent the game to his will. His performance culminated in a masterful run at Peach Jam, where he led his team to the championship game with a 31-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist effort in the semifinals.
What separates Williams from his peers is a rare blend of physical maturity and advanced feel for the game. He possesses a frame that is already prepared for the rigors of high-major college basketball, combined with the perimeter skills of a lead guard. We watched him consistently break down defenders off the dribble, make advanced passing reads out of the pick-and-roll, and score from all three levels with unnerving consistency. His 41% shooting from behind the arc on over six attempts per game during EYBL play is a terrifying statistic for a player with his size and athletic ability. This isn't a case of a physically dominant player overwhelming less-developed competition. It's a case of the best prospect also being the most skilled, a combination that harkens back to initial evaluations of recent top prospects like Cooper Flagg. Every team needs a primary initiator who can create offense for themselves and others, and Williams projects as an elite version of that archetype. See his full profile on PrepRadar for a complete breakdown of his summer circuit highlights and advanced metrics.
More Than a Scorer: Elite Defensive Versatility
In today's positionless game, offensive firepower alone doesn't guarantee the top spot in our rankings. What truly cements AJ Williams' status as the number one prospect is his disruptive, multi-positional defense. In an era where coaches at the highest levels prize defensive versatility above all else, Williams is a paradigm of the modern wing defender. At 6’8” with a reported 7’1” wingspan, he has the length to bother shots at the rim and the lateral quickness to switch onto smaller, faster guards on the perimeter without being a liability. We tracked his defensive assignments over five games at Peach Jam and found that he successfully defended every position from point guard to power forward, holding his primary matchup to a combined 33% from the field.
This isn't just about physical tools; it's about instinct and motor. Williams displays an innate understanding of defensive rotations, constantly jumping passing lanes and providing perfectly-timed help defense. His 2.0 steals per game don't fully capture the number of deflections and rushed decisions he forces. A prime example came against the NY Renaissance squad, where he switched a ball screen, contained their lightning-quick point guard on the perimeter, and then recovered to block the rolling center’s shot at the apex—all in one sequence. That level of defensive impact is simply not found elsewhere in the 2028 class right now. It’s this two-way dominance that makes him such a coveted prospect. While other players might offer elite scoring or lockdown defense, Williams provides both at a level that fundamentally changes the geometry of the court. College coaches we’ve spoken with are already drawing comparisons to players like Scottie Barnes for his ability to quarterback a defense while also shouldering a heavy offensive load.
The Chasing Pack: Summer's Biggest Stock Risers
While Williams has created separation, the Class of 2028 is far from a one-man show. Several other prospects used the summer to make a compelling case for five-star status and a spot in the top ten. Chief among them is 6’2” point guard Marcus Paige Jr. from Chicago's Whitney Young High School. Playing with MeanStreets, Paige Jr. established himself as the premier floor general in the class. His court vision and poise under pressure are sublime, and he posted a remarkable 4.5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio against the best competition in the country. He isn't the most explosive athlete, but his crafty handle and elite decision-making allow him to control the tempo of any game. His stock soared after a triple-double performance at the EYBL’s Kansas City session, proving he can impact the game without being a score-first guard.
Another major riser is Houston-based wing Jalen Carter. A 6'6" explosive athlete playing for Houston Hoops, Carter is perhaps the most potent pure scorer in the class. He put on a dazzling display at Peach Jam, averaging 27.8 points per game and showing an improved ability to create his own shot. Carter is a human highlight reel in transition and has refined his jump shot to the point where he must be respected from deep. While his shot selection and defensive consistency are still developing, his ceiling as an offensive force is undeniable. Finally, we have to mention 7-foot center David Okoro of Oak Hill Academy. Originally from Nigeria, Okoro is a throwback defensive anchor with incredible timing as a shot-blocker. He averaged 5.2 blocks per game on the Under Armour circuit and showed burgeoning touch around the rim. His development on the offensive end will determine his ultimate ceiling, but his elite rim protection gives him one of the highest floors in the 2028 class.
Navigating the New Recruiting Landscape
For the Class of 2028, the recruiting process began earlier and with more external factors than for any class before it. The proliferation of NIL collectives and the ever-present specter of the transfer portal have fundamentally altered the timeline and considerations for top prospects. Blue-blood programs are no longer just recruiting a player; they are pitching a multi-year business partnership. For a player like AJ Williams, this means conversations are already happening not just with coaching staffs, but with marketing representatives and NIL advisors. We're seeing this manifest in decisions about prep schools and AAU affiliations, which are now scrutinized for their connections to specific shoe brands and NIL opportunities.
Consider the case of a top-20 player in the class who recently transferred to a powerhouse prep program like Montverde Academy. On the surface, it’s a basketball decision designed to maximize development against elite competition. But our sources indicate the move was also heavily influenced by the program's robust NIL infrastructure and its track record of preparing players for the professional demands of being a high-profile athlete. This is the new reality. Players and their families must weigh development, coaching relationships, and academic fit against the immediate financial and brand-building opportunities presented by different programs. It adds a layer of complexity that forces these 16-year-old athletes to make business decisions far earlier than their predecessors. The ability to navigate these pressures, with the help of a strong support system, is becoming nearly as important as the ability to execute a crossover dribble.
Key Takeaways for the Class of 2028
As we head into the 2026-27 high school season, the battle for the top of the Class of 2028 is just beginning. Our key takeaways from the summer evaluation period paint a picture of a class defined by elite talent at the top and evolving dynamics throughout.
- AJ Williams is the Real Deal: His status as the #1 player is not a product of hype. It's built on a foundation of tangible, two-way production and a skill set that translates directly to the highest levels of basketball. He is the clear standard by which all other 2028 prospects will be measured.
- Skill Trumps Raw Athleticism: While athletes like Jalen Carter certainly impressed, the biggest stock risers were players who demonstrated a high basketball IQ and polished skills. Marcus Paige Jr.'s ascent shows that a true point guard who can run a team is still an incredibly valuable commodity.
- Positional Versatility is Paramount: The top of our 2028 rankings is filled with players who can guard multiple positions and play different roles on offense. The era of the one-dimensional specialist is fading, and college coaches are prioritizing prospects who offer lineup flexibility.
- The NIL Factor is Here to Stay: Recruiting in this class is already being shaped by NIL conversations. The programs that can offer a clear, professional plan for player branding and compensation will have a significant advantage in securing commitments from elite talent. Expect to see more recruiting battles won and lost on the NIL front in the coming years.
The journey for these young men is a marathon, not a sprint. While Williams is the current frontrunner, the next two years of high school basketball will undoubtedly produce new challengers and compelling storylines. We at PrepRadar will be there every step of the way, providing the most in-depth analysis and scouting reports on the future stars of college basketball.