Ranking the Top 5 teams set to play in the Spalding Hoophall Classic ft. Cameron Boozer's Columbus Explorers 

Several big names are set to participate in next year's Spalding Hoophall Classic. The tournament will commence in January at Springfield College's Blake Arena in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the Basketball Hall of Fame is located. Nine of the top 10 prospects from the Class of 2025 and all top 10 prospects from the Class of 2026 are expected to see action.

There will be some big showdowns, with the Montverde Academy Eagles, which had that legendary undefeated championship run last season, taking on AJ Dybantsa and Utah Prep. Kiyan Anthony and Long Island Lutheran will also take on AZ Compass, led by five-star 2026 recruit Miikka Murrinen.

Top 5 teams to look out for during the Spalding Hoophall Classic 2025

5) Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, California)

Five-star small forward Tyran Stokes has proven he can carry a team. The No. 2-ranked recruit from the Class of 2026 will look to lead Notre Dame to victory against teams like Andover and Christopher Columbus. They also have three-star Rutgers commit Lino Mark to back him up.

4) St. John Bosco (California)

St. John Bosco will be led by the No. 1 and No. 8 recruits of the 2026 class, Brandon McCoy Jr. and Christian Collins. The five-star duo will cause problems for other teams, along with 2025 Top 50 player Elzie Harrington.

3) Prolific Prep

Prolific Prep may have lost AJ Dybantsa, but it is still loaded with talent, with the No. 3-ranked shooting guard from the 2025 class Darryn Peterson leading the team, along with several four-star players, including Niko Bundalo, Gabe Nesmith, Obinna Ekezie Jr. and Michigan commit Winters Grady. This season, they are out to prove that they can win without Dybantsa.

2) Utah Prep

The school has Dybantsa, and while that is enough to place the team high on the list, he is also backed up by a deep roster that includes four-stars JJ Mandaquit and Anthony Felesi. They had a big win at the Las Vegas leg of the Border League in October against the next team on the list, but a certain recent addition has changed the rankings heading into the Spalding Hoophall Classic.

1) Christopher Columbus High School

Duke commits Cameron and Cayden Boozer are intimidating enough, but adding five-star transfer Caleb Gaskins to the mix, and the Explorers look unstoppable on paper. Gaskins transferred from Montverde Academy and was part of its undefeated run last year. The Explorers also have other four-stars playing for them, including Jaxon Richardson.