Where Is Every 2017 McDonald’s All-American Today?

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Another week—another step backward through basketball history. This time, we're taking a look at 2017—a class headlined by the likes of Deandre Ayton, Trae Young and a deep collection of prospects who appeared destined to shape the next generation of the NBA.

And yet, nine years later, this group still feels strangely unfinished.

The more recent classes we've revisited either delivered the stars we expected or gave us enough evidence to understand where their careers were heading. With the 2017 class, those conclusions remain much harder to make. Some players have already reached All-Star heights but are still chasing the postseason success needed to define their careers. Others have showed serious potential without sustaining it. Several remain trapped somewhere between breakout, disappointment and one final opportunity to change the way their legacies are remembered.

This class produced franchise players, elite scorers, role players, "what-ifs" and everything in between. Who fulfilled the hype? Who left us wanting more?

Let’s break it all down.

East

1. Mo Bamba (C)

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Before the viral song, Mo Bamba was known more for his play. Teamed up with fellow future top recruit Cam Reddish at Westtown School in Pennsylvania, Bamba was an absolute cheat code in high school. He led Westtown to a state championship and stood out as the most physically imposing defensive prospect in the country. Standing 7'0" with a record-setting 7'10" wingspan and a 9'7.5" standing reach, Bamba’s physical tools were historic. Evaluators raved about his rim protection, elite shot-blocking instincts, surprising open-floor agility, and intelligence off the court. While his frame was lean, the expectation was that he'd bulk up in the weight room over time. Bamba committed to Shaka Smart at Texas over offers from John Calipari's Kentucky squad, Duke and Michigan, and his lone season was elite. He averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and a staggering 3.7 blocks per game, breaking Texas' single-season block record with 111 swats in just 30 games.

The Orlando Magic selected him 6th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, but stuck behind star Nikola Vucevic early on, Bamba struggled to establish a consistent role. He had a small breakthrough in 2021–22, when he started 69 games and averaged career highs of 10.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 blocks on a 22-win-team. He seemed to be putting at least something together, but that turned out to be his peak. Orlando traded Bamba to the Lakers in 2023, but an ankle injury limited his impact during their Western Conference Finals run. He subsequently bounced between Philadelphia, the Clippers, New Orleans, Toronto and Utah, gradually moving from promising young center to journeyman fighting for backup minutes.

2. Wendell Carter Jr. (C)

Photo: Shane Dobson-AP

While he didn't explode into a multi-time NBA All-Star, he fulfilled almost every bit of his prep projection: a high-IQ, physically formidable, inside-out big man who anchored high school state champions, excelled at Duke, and secured a long-term role as a starting center in the NBA. At Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, Carter led the Knights to back-to-back Georgia state titles in 2016 and 2017, putting up a ridiculous 20-point, 17-rebound stat line in his senior championship game. Standing 6'10" and 260 pounds with a massive 7'4" wingspan, Carter was built like a pure NBA enforcer. Evaluators praised his elite rebounding instincts, advanced footwork in the post, soft shooting touch out to the 3-point line, and remarkable passing vision. Carter committed to Duke, where the tandem of him and Bagley formed one of college basketball’s most imposing frontcourts. Carter averaged 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, recorded 16 double-doubles and shot an impressive 41.3 percent from three en route to Second-Team All-ACC honors.

Chicago selected him seventh overall in 2018, but injuries and organizational instability prevented him from establishing consistent momentum with the squad. His career changed after the Bulls traded him to Orlando in the Nikola Vucevic deal. Carter developed into a dependable two-way starter, peaking at 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds while providing physical defense, interior scoring and enough shooting to complement Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando rewarded him with a three-year, $59 million extension through at least 2028. Honestly? It's well deserved.

3. Trevon Duval (G)

Photo: Isaiah Bond-AP

This is a guy who took me by surprise in high school. Trevon Duval was one of the most hyped, most fun prospects to watch. He was a human highlight reel whose game was built for the mixtape era. Watching him glide through traffic, drop insane crossovers, and throw down vicious dunks at 6'3" made it feel like he was operating on a completely different wavelength than everyone else. Duval bounced between prep powerhouses—St. Benedict's (NJ), Advanced Prep International (TX), and IMG Academy (FL)—while retaining his title as the No. 1 point guard in the class of 2017. Boasting a 6'3" frame with a massive 6'9.5" wingspan and a 41.5-inch vertical, Duval was physically a marvel. He featured a lightning-fast first step, elite shiftiness with the ball, and high-level acrobatic finishing through contact. However, evaluators flagged his decision making, turnover rate, and a broken perimeter jump shot that relied heavily on set-shooting mechanics.

Duval landed at Duke as the floor general for a star-studded recruiting class featuring Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., and Gary Trent. He started 34 games, averaging 10.9 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. His vision and speed in transition were as advertised, but defenders began to figure him out. Duval was NOT a shooter. With numbers of just 29% from three and 59% from the free throw line, defenses either sagged off or fouled him. Despite his shooting flaws, Duval controversially declared for the 2018 NBA Draft after his freshman year and became the first ever one and done Duke Blue Devil to go undrafted. Duval signed a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018, but appeared in just 3 NBA games before being waived. He's had stints in Azerbaijan, Turkey, and more, but is currently playing in the G-League.

4. Quade Green (G)

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The quintessential Philly point-guard, Quade Green was destined to be the next short king. Crafty-surgical in the pick-and-roll, his legendary high school career at Neumann-Goretti made him one of the most celebrated floor generals in the country. He led them to four straight championships and finished as the school's second all-time leading scorer. Standing 6'0" with a tight handle, Green was a pure floor general. He possessed an elite mid-range pull-up jumper, exceptional decision making, and high-level passing vision, averaging 10 dimes a night in the EYEBL circuit. Green committed to Kentucky, starting 13 games as a freshman while averaging 9.3 points and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 37.6% from deep. However, freshman teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the lead guard and has he got better, Green's role diminished.

Facing a crowded backcourt heading into his sophomore year with incoming recruits Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley, Green transferred to Washington nine games into the 2018–19 season. There he averaged 11.6 points and 5.3 assists while shooting a scorching 44.7% from three before academic ineligibility cost him the second half of the season. He returned for his final collegiate season in 2020–21, leading the Huskies with 15.4 points and 3.6 assists per game. After going undrafted, Green took his talents straight to the G-League, and has since had stints in Scotland, Kosovo, Mexico and China.

5. Kevin Knox (F)

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We all remember that one Summer League. Kevin Knox II looked next up, but somehow, the cards just didn't unfold like we expected. Coming out of high school with Kevin Durant and Brandon Ingram comparisons, Knox looked like the smooth, mismatch-creating forward modern NBA offenses dream about. At Tampa Catholic High School in Florida, Knox was a multi-sport star (a high school quarterback prospect early on) who exploded into a top-10 national recruit. As a senior, he posted 28.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. At Tampa Catholic High School in Florida, Knox was a multi-sport star (a high school quarterback prospect early on) who exploded into a top-10 national recruit. As a senior, he posted 28.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, committing to John Calipari's Kentucky experiment along with numerous other All-Americans. Knox led the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 34.1% from three.

Selected 9th overall to the New York Knicks in the 2018 Draft, Knox's career kicked off with insane fanfare. He exploded for 21.3 points per game in the Summer League, and around 13 points per night as a rookie. While the underlying metrics highlighted his efficiency struggles, the goal was he'd break out of his shell and be even more efficient. Unfortunately,  as the Knicks overhauled their roster with Julius Randle and drafted RJ Barrett, Knox's minutes steadily declined. Under coach Tom Thibodeau, Knox's defensive limitations kept him out of the rotation. The Knicks traded him to Atlanta where he averaged just 2 points per game, and then to Detroit where played 47 games and was finally looking efficient at 47%. Unfortunately, another trade was one of many, and Knox became a wandering rotational wing that was a defensive liability and didn't really provide too much to offer. By age 25, he was in the G-League, where he's remained since 2024.

6. Nick Richards (C)

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A late bloomer from Jamaica who didn't start playing organized basketball until age 14, Richard's patience, elite player development, and sheer persistence turned him into a dominant big man. Starring at The Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey, Richards quickly emerged as a physical force. Standing 7'0" with a 7'4" wingspan, Richards possessed elite physical dimensions. He was an explosive rim runner, a high-level shot blocker, and a relentless glass-cleaner who played with active energy. But because he had started playing so late, the jumper just wasn't there yet. Richards committed to Kentucky alongside Kevin Knox, P.J. Washington, Quade Green and more, but his transition required real patience. Eventually, he broke out as a junior for 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting a staggering 64.2% from the field, anchoring Kentucky to a 25-6 record before declaring for the NBA Draft. Richards was picked up 42nd overall, where for five years he devoted his body to Charlotte's rebounding needs. In January 2025, Charlotte traded Richards to the Phoenix Suns to bolster their frontcourt depth, and he later then joined the Chicago Bulls rotation. He remains a free agent for now, and the next step is still unknown.

7. Mitchell Robinson (C)

Photo: Jevon Bullard-AP

Robinson is one of the most fascinating players on this list. The guy bypassed college completely and ended up becoming an NBA champion. Starring at Chalmette High School in Louisiana, Robinson became a late-blooming national sensation. He averaged 25.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and a staggering 6 blocked shots per game as a senior, striking fear in opponents across the country. Standing 7'0" with a 7'4" wingspan and pogo-stick athleticism, Robinson was the premier rim-runner and shot-blocker of his class. He could catch lobs well above the square, sprint the floor like a gazelle, and block jump shots out to the perimeter. His recruitment was quite the rollercoaster; he initially committed to Texas A&M, then flipped to Western Kentucky after his godfather, former NBA player Shammond Williams, joined their coaching staff. When Williams left, Robinson decommitted from college altogether, and instead trained by his lonesome in Dallas.

Despite the gap year, the Knicks drafted him 36th overall in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft—which turned out to be the absolute steal of the draft. Robinson quickly established himself as an elite, hyper-efficient finishing big. In the 2019–20 season, he shot an astronomical 74.2% from the field, officially breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time NBA single-season field goal percentage record (72.7%). For eight seasons, Robinson was the defensive backbone and premier offensive rebounder for the Knicks, anchoring New York's rotation in 2026 to play a vital role in helping the Knicks capture the NBA Championship. Riding high off the 2026 title run, Robinson capitalized in free agency in July 2026, signing a lucrative 2-year deal to join the Boston Celtics.

8. Collin Sexton (G)

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"Young Bull" possessed one of the most intense, high energy motors in basketball. His pure competitive nature made him a fan favorite at Pebblebrook, where he proved that his hyper-aggressive, downhill playstyle could produce big-time scoring numbers at every single level. He dominated the 2016 Nike EYBL circuit, leading the league with a staggering 31.7 points per game, and then went on to win a gold medal and MVP at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship. Standing 6'2" with a 6'6.5" wingspan, Sexton was a lightning-fast slasher with a lethal first step and a fearless mindset. He attacked the rim with ruthless aggression, absorbed contact effortlessly, and drew fouls at an elite rate. His on-ball defensive intensity and competitive fire were unrivaled. Sexton committed to Alabama, where he delivered one of the greatest performances in NCAA history.

In a November game against Minnesota, Alabama's entire bench was either ejected or injured, leaving them with just 3 players on the floor for the final 10+ minutes. Playing 3-on-5, Sexton posted 40 points and almost pulled off an impossible comeback victory by himself. He averaged 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game and was drafted 8th overall to the Cavs, where he was tasked with rebuilding them and immediately became their primary scorer. Sexton saw his most dominant season in the 2020-21 campaign, where he averaged 24 points a night. Sexton spent three years in Utah where he was the key to the backcourt's offense, and then split his season last year between Charlotte and Chicago. A 40% three point shooter and an 18+ ppg scorer for his career, Sexton gets buckets wherever he goes.

9. Lonnie Walker IV (G)

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Coming out of Pennsylvania, Walker's sheer explosive athleticism made him a human highlight reel. While his NBA career didn’t morph into stardom, he's provided some of the most electrifying microwave-scoring moments in recent playoff memory and built a highly successful global career. At Reading High School in Pennsylvania, Walker became an absolute local legend after bringing the Red Knights their first ever championship. Standing 6'4" with a sprawling 6'10" wingspan and elite vertical explosiveness, Walker was one of the most physically gifted two-guards in the class. He possessed a lightning-quick first step, could finish acrobatically at the rim, and had a smooth pull-up jumper. Walker committed to Miami, and became one the most gifted prospects in the country.

Despite battling a torn meniscus in the summer before his freshman year, he recovered to average 11.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. After getting selected 18th overall by the San Antonio Spurs, Walker slowly earned Gregg Popovich's trust through a rigorous coaching system. Walker was picked up by the Lakers in 2022, where he had his most notable moment. During Game 4 of the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors, he erupted for 15 points in the fourth quarter alone, single-handedly swinging the game and helping the Lakers advance. After a solid bench-scoring season with the Brooklyn Nets in 2023–24, Walker’s path took a global turn. He utilized an NBA-out clause to briefly return with the Philadelphia 76ers, but is currently balling out in Tel Aviv. It's anyone's guess why he hasn't held on to an NBA contract.

10. P.J. Washington (F)

Photo: Austin Boyd-AP

P.J. Washington was seemingly John Calipari's next one-and-done prodigy, but an extra year at Kentucky paid the largest dividends for his career. He didn't just improve his draft stock—he completely modernized his game, transforming from an undersized interior bully into a deadly stretch-four who eventually became the missing piece for a deep NBA Finals run. After starting high school in Texas, Washington moved to Nevada to play for the prep powerhouse Findlay Prep. He dominated his senior season, averaging 19.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. Standing 6'7" with a massive 7'2" wingspan, Washington was built like a veteran from day one. However, scouts labeled him as a tweener who could play the greatest defense.

After committing to Kentucky, Washington had a solid freshman year (averaging 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds), but instead of forcing his way into the 2018 NBA Draft where he'd likely be a second round pick, Washington returned for a sophomore season and completely reshaped his offensive profile, averaging 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. The biggest leap? He brought his three-point percentage from 23.8% to 42.3%. The Charlotte Hornets drafted him 12th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, and he immediately proved the jumper was real. He averaged 12 points on 37% from three and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. After getting traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, Washington immediately filled in a huge spacing gap left by the team's frontcourt and helped them make the NBA Finals. I think it's safe to say P.J. has overdelivered on expectations.

11. Kris Wilkes (F)

Photo: Dwight Stavely-AP

Kris Wilkes is unfortunately the biggest "what-if" on this entire list. Indiana royalty and a natural-born 6'8" scoring wing, Wilkes had all the physical tools to become an NBA perimeter threat. However, a turbulent, coaching change plagued run at UCLA and a severe medical illness right as he was entering the NBA completely derailed his professional runway. Starring at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Wilkes was a smooth, effortless scoring forward who could take you off the dribble, shoot over small defenders in the mid-range and finish in transition. He chose UCLA over his hometown offer of Indiana and immediately stepped into the starting lineup, averaging 13.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

In his sophomore campaign, UCLA fired their coach midseason and Wilkes took on the role as the team's young captain, averaging a team high 17 points per night. He then declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, where Wilkes surprisingly went undrafted. The New York Knicks offered him a two-way contract, but a severe, undisclosed medical illness forced the Knicks to rescind their offer. Wilkes did eventually get better years later, but the NBA window had seemingly closed—and years later? Wilkes revealed his diagnosis as a rare autoimmune disorder. Wilkes' story is less about a lack of basketball skill and more about terrible timing and medical misfortune.

12. Jarred Vanderbilt (F)

Photo: David Butler II-USAToday

J-Vando was one of the most skilled high-school prospects Texas had seen in years. In high school, he wasn't just the defensive hustle guy we see in LA today—he was an elusive 6'9" point-forward who could handle like a guard. He averaged 28.5 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game as a senior at Victory Prep as a five-star recruit. With a 7'1" wingspan, Vanderbilt had a rare blend of length, passsing, and court vision. He grabbed rebounds and immediately initiated fast breaks, making him a matchup nightmare who could guard 1-through-5 on defense while running the offense on the other end. However, he had a history of injuries as well as a seemingly invisible jump shot. Vanderbilt joined John Calipari’s loaded 2017 recruiting class at Kentucky, sharing the frontcourt with a multitude of All-Americans, but a severe foot injury limited him to just 14 games, where he averaged 5 points, 8 rebounds and an assist per game.

Vanderbilt was picked up 41st overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, and following a virtually invisible stint in Denver, he began to find his footing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Vanderbilt finally received consistent minutes and transformed into a disruptor, averaging 6.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals while helping Minnesota return to the playoffs. He was no longer the point-forward who dominated Texas high-school basketball, but his rebounding, defensive versatility and relentless motor gave him a clear NBA identity. Following a stint with Utah after being included in the trade package for Rudy Gobert, Vanderbilt was picked up by the Lakers, where when healthy, he's been the ideal defensive wing. In 2023, the Lakers rewarded his impact with a four-year, $48 million extension.

West

1. Deandre Ayton (C)

Photo: Jesse Johnson-ImagnImages

Ayton hasn't gotten much love recently, and while there's some truth to the negative criticism, he doesn't get nearly enough love for the things he does well. However, drafted over the likes of Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic, Ayton's career perspective has been dicey. Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Ayton moved to the United States and spent his pivotal high school years at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, Arizona. Standing 7'1" with a 7'5" wingspan and extraordinary fluid movement for his size, he was a consensus top-two prospect in the country. With a rare mix of physical dominance, soft touch around the rim, and mid-range shooting touch, scouts viewed him as a can't-miss, franchise-altering modern center. Ayton stayed local for college and posted one of the most dominant single college seasons in Pac-12 history, averaging 20.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.

Selected number one overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Ayton became Arizona royalty overnight. He was the starting anchor for Phoenix’s 2021 NBA Finals run, averaging around 16 points and 10 boards, but recurring questions regarding his motor, aggressiveness, and role led to friction. Sent to Portland in the 2023 Damian Lillard trade, Ayton played two seasons there before joining Los Angeles in 2025 on a short-term deal, serving as an efficient rim runner alongside Luka. After averaging 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting a career-high 67.1% from the field, he was subsequently traded to the Wizards. Ayton fell short of becoming a perennial All-NBA franchise center. But a bust? That's flat out inaccurate. He was a starting center on an NBA Finals team, earned a $130M+ max contract, and has maintained an 8-year NBA career averaging a double-double. 

2. Brian Bowen II (F)

Photo: Isaac Trout-AP

This is an unfortunate story. Nicknamed "Tugs", his career was derailed before it could even get off the ground due to an off-the-court scandal that was entirely out of his control. At La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana, Bowen was an elite, versatile 6'7" wing. Playing alongside Jaren Jackson Jr., Bowen was a top-20 recruit nationally and a consensus five-star prospect. But his post-high school trajectory became historic for all the wrong reasons. He committed to Louisville in June 2017, but in September 2017, the federal FBI investigation into college basketball corruption exploded. Federal documents alleged that executives at Adidas had conspired to pay Bowen's family $100,000 to secure his commitment to Louisville. He was immediately suspended from Louisville without even playing a game, and despite being able to transfer to South Carolina as a student, the NCAA banned him from ever playing college hoops. His only choice? Go straight to pro-ball.

Bowen signed with the Sydney Kings in the NBL and played solid enough to gather NBA attention. After going undrafted in 2019, he signed a two-way contract with his home-state Indiana Pacers. He spent two seasons in the organization, appearing in 12 regular-season NBA games for Indiana over two seasons while spending the majority of his time assignment with their G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. However, he played just 3.8 minutes a game and was a non-factor. Bowen has spent a total of six years in the G-League and is now playing in North Macedonia.

3. Troy Brown Jr. (F)

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When a player is billed as a 6'6" do-it-all playmaker coming out of high school, falling out of the NBA by age 25 seems shocking, but his story reveals how brutal the jump to the pros really is. At Centennial High School in Las Vegas, Brown was a prodigy. Unlike traditional wings, Brown operated as a primary ball-handler, using a 6'7" frame and elite court vision to pick apart high school defenses. A Team USA U17 gold medalist and a consensus 5-star recruit, the ceiling looked sky high for Troy. Billed as a versatile point-forward who could initiate offense, guard multiple positions, and out-athlete smaller guards, he was viewed as a foundational piece for whichever franchise drafted him. At Oregon, he showcased his well-rounded instincts, leading the Ducks in rebounding while finishing second in assists, averaging 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. However, he shot just 29% from beyond the arc, but teams bought into his 18-year-old upside and playmaking traits, banking on his jumper developing over time.

What happened next? Brown was flagged "Jack Of All Trades: Master of None", as the jump shot, playmaking instincts and athleticism never fully took over. Drafted 15th overall to the Washington Wizards, he flashed upside in his second season (2019–20), averaging 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in nearly 26 minutes per game. But as the Wizards shifted directions, Brown's inability to serve as a reliable spot-up shooter or elite perimeter defender squeezed him out of the rotation. Over the next three seasons, Brown bounced across four franchises—the Chicago Bulls, LA Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons. He had solid moments, but with a career 6.2 average, never made big enough of an impact to stick around.

4. Jaylen Hands (G)

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If you were plugged into high school hoops in 2017, it really did feel like Hands was next up—the explosive bounce, the flashy handle, and the swag were off the charts. At Balboa City School alongside Deandre Ayton, Hands was a YouTube sensation. He possessed effortless, sky-walking vertical athleticism for a 6'3" point guard and a lightning-quick crossover. He won the 2017 Ballislife All-American Dunk Contest and was rated as one of the premier point guards in the country. The expectation was that his elite athleticism and microwave scoring ability would translate directly into a lottery-bound, high-octane NBA career. Hands committed to UCLA, where as a freshman he averaged 9 points per game as a promising backup. With Aaron Holiday gone his sophomore year, he took over the primary facilitating duties, leading the Pac-12 in assists with 6.1 per night.

Despite leading the conference in assists, his efficiency was suspect. He struggled with shot selection, defensive focus, and turnovers, which kept scouts skeptical about his ability to run an NBA offense. Hands declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, but fell all the way to 56th. Unlike first-round picks, 56th picks rarely get guaranteed roster spots. Brooklyn stashed him with their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, for the 2019–20 season.  He averaged 11.4 PPG in the G League, but Brooklyn's roster was overcrowded with guard depth. His draft rights were traded to Detroit in 2020, and the Pistons eventually renounced his rights in 2021 without ever calling him up to step foot on an NBA court. He's been an overseas journeyman, with stints in Belgium, Spain, China, Greece and more.

5. Jaren Jackson Jr. (F)

Photo: Sam Navarro-ImagnImages

Jaren Jackson Jr. didn't just meet his potential, he shattered by becoming one of the best defenders in basketball. Jackson spent his early prep career at Park Tudor in Indianapolis before transferring to La Lumiere School in Indiana for his senior year, where he teamed up with Brian Bowen II to build the best team in the state. At 6'11" with a massive 7'5" wingspan, Jackson possessed the exact physical archetype NBA front offices drooled over. He had elite lateral mobility, explosive verticality, and a natural perimeter stroke.  Scouts praised his rare "unicorn" skill set—the ability to protect the rim at a high level while simultaneously spacing the floor as a pick-and-pop threat. The jumper was awkward, and questions raised on whether or not he had the strength to body bigger traditional centers. At Michigan State, Jackson silenced the critics.

He averaged just 21.8 minutes per game due to a deep rotation and constant foul trouble, but despite the limited floor time, Jackson was absurd, averaging 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 39.6% from three-point range. His defensive instincts solidified him as the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, where became the defensive engine of the "Grit and Grind 2.0" era alongside Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Earning the nickname "the Block Panther" for his staggering rejections, he led the NBA in blocks per game in back-to-back seasons (2021–22 and 2022–23) and was crowned the 2022–23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. In February 2026, as Memphis pivoted toward a roster reset, they traded Jackson in a blockbuster deadline deal to the Utah Jazz, where alongside Lauri Markkanen and number two overall pick Darryn Peterson, he'll provide enough firepower for fans to have a lot to be excited about.

6. Brandon McCoy (C)

Photo: Morgan Lieberman-LV

It's wild to think about how names loop back around in basketball circles. Long before 5-star guard Brandon McCoy Jr. started making headlines as a top prospect in the 2026 class, the original 7-foot Brandon McCoy was dominating the paint in San Diego and entering the 2017 McDonald’s All-American game as a projected future NBA lottery pick. Unfortunately, his story shows how fast the NBA moved on from traditional big men. At 7'0" and 250 pounds, he was a physically imposing, classic center who overwhelmed opponents near the rim. Against elite comp? He looked legit. Coming off the bench in the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Game, McCoy tallied 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just 20 minutes. Billed as a dominant back-to-the-basket center with high-level rebounding instincts, a soft touch inside, and natural shot-blocking timing.

The consensus was that he could still be effective at the NBA level without stretching the floor. At UNLV, McCoy was a monster, averaging 16.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. He recorded 16 double-doubles, including a 25-point, 18-rebound game in his college debut. But despite posting eye-catching college numbers, McCoy went completely undrafted in 2018.  The NBA had fully embraced "pace and space." Front offices were no longer looking for traditional, low-post centers who played at a slower tempo. Teams wanted big men who could switch onto guards on the perimeter or shoot threes. McCoy signed a contract with the Bucks, but was waived without playing so much as a game. It hurts that the league didn't give a kid with his skill set much of a chance at all.

7. Michael Porter Jr. (F)

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MPJ has one of the most remarkable stories in modern basketball history. To go from being the undisputed number one player in the world, to having his career threatened by severe back surgeries, to becoming an essential starter on an NBA Championship team and a 24-point-per-game scorer is nothing short of incredible. As a senior at Nathan Hale High School, Porter played underneath former All-Star Brandon Roy and put together one of the most dominant high school seasons ever. He led Nathan Hale to a flawless 29-0 record and a national high school championship. Billed as a fluid 6'10" forward with effortless range, smooth fluid mechanics, and high-level athletic pop, scouts openly called him a hybrid of Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady. Porter committed to Missouri where his father was on the coaching staff, and it seemed like a dream come true. However, his college career ended almost before it began.

Just two minutes into his collegiate debut, Porter suffered a severe lumbar spine injury requiring microdiscectomy surgery. He missed nearly the entire season, returning to play just two ineffective games in March. Once viewed as a lock for the number one overall pick, massive medical red flags regarding his long-term back health caused him to drop all the way to 14th, where Denver took a "gamble". Denver sat MPJ for his entire rookie season, allowing him to fully recover. The following season? Porter broke out in the NBA Bubble and looked to be exactly what fans wanted. The season after that? He was averaging 19 points while shooting 44.5 percent from three in his second active season. Just as Porter appeared ready to become a star, another back operation limited him to nine games in 2021–22 and threatened his career all over again, but the following season, everything clicked as MPJ became the quintessential scorer on the championship Denver Nuggets team. Now? He's tasked with building the Brooklyn Nets from the ground up, and was a borderline All-Star last season as a fully fledged three-level scorer.

8. Billy Preston (F)

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Billy Preston is one of the biggest what-if forward's basketball has seen, and while we're getting a taste of what he can do in the BIG3 League, you have to imagine so much more potential was there. At 6'10" with a smooth perimeter game, fluid handles, and natural scoring instincts, Preston had the ideal physical tools for a modern stretch-four.  He bounced around multiple high schools—including St. John Bosco, Redondo Union, Prime Prep, API, and ultimately national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy. Ultimately, he was a bucket at all of them. Ranked alongside guys like Michael Porter Jr. and Deandre Ayton, Preston was viewed as a blue-chip talent destined for a one-and-done year at a major program followed by a lottery pick in the NBA Draft.

Preston committed to Kansas U, where the power forward position was wide open and Bill Self was eager to give him the keys. But a minor car accident, and a subsequent investigation into the vehicle's ownership put his entire collegiate career on pause. While in limbo, hoping for a decision to be made by the board, Preston and his family eventually decommitted from the University without Preston playing a single game. Instead, he signed with KK Igokea in Bosnia to turn pro early. After playing just a handful of games in Bosnia, Preston entered the 2018 NBA Draft and went completely undrafted. He signed a two-way contract with the Cavs, but only managed to gather minutes on their G-League affiliate before getting waived. Now? Preston's gone the social media route, and has played for teams in Mexico, South Africa, Australia and more.

9. Gary Trent Jr. (G)

Photo: John Fisher-Getty

Gary Trent Jr. is one of the most successful second-round picks in recent memory. Blessed with NBA DNA and an unshakeable confidence in his jumper, he turned a second-round draft slide into an 8-year NBA career and a massive payday. As the son of former 9-year NBA veteran Gary Trent Sr., Trent Jr. grew up steeped in basketball culture. Trent Jr. initially starred at Apple Valley High School in Minnesota alongside future NBA guard Tre Jones, leading them to a state title in 2015. He transferred to Prolific Prep in California for his senior season, where his microwave scoring ability was on full display.  Billed as a relentless perimeter threat with a college-ready body, smooth mechanics, and a competitive edge, he could fill up the stat sheets in seemingly a heartbeat. Trent Jr. committed to Duke, joining a stacked recruiting class alongside Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr., and in his lone season, he averaged 14.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting a blazing 40.2% from three-point range while also breaking JJ Redick's single season three-point scoring record.

Trent was picked up 37th overall, where he didn't really see much playing time as a rookie on a Portland team desperately trying to crack a deep playoff run. However, Trent broke out in his sophomore season, particularly during the 2020 NBA Bubble, where his three-point shooting put the league on notice. Traded to Toronto for Norman Powell in 2021, Trent Jr. leveled up into a legitimate primary scoring option. During the 2021–22 season, he averaged a career-high 18.3 points per game and tied a Raptors franchise record by scoring 30+ points in five consecutive games. Now? He finds himself on the Bucks as a key contributor to their rebuild, and his offense will go a long way.

10. Chuck O'Bannon Jr. (F)

Photo: Will Dziuba-AP

Spending seven full years in college before entering the draft at 25 years old is nearly unprecedented, making his story one of the more unusual ones. The son of Charles O'Bannon—who won the 1995 NCAA National Championship at UCLA alongside Chuck's uncle, Ed O'Bannon, he came into the NCAA with immediate brand name recognition. At Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, O'Bannon was a certified bucket-getter. He capped his senior year by dropping 36 points in the state championship game to lead them to the Nevada title. USC landed O'Bannon as their first McDonald's All-American recruit since DeMar DeRozan in 2008. Billed as a 6'6" wing with a 6'11" wingspan, he was expected to follow his family's footsteps into early pro stardom, but what was supposed to be a quick stop in college turned into a seven-year marathon.

Injuries completely halted his growth at USC. Multiple hand and finger surgeries kept him off the court, limiting him to just 18 games across two-plus seasons. Seeking a fresh start, O'Bannon transferred to TCU in January 2020. He spent four full seasons with the Horned Frogs, evolving into a dependable, veteran perimeter threat and key locker-room voice. Over 143 total college games, O'Bannon averaged 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, hitting tough shots in TCU's March Madness run, but ultimately these numbers weren't enough to sustain an NBA contract, less lone a draft spot at his age. Following stints in Slovakia and Hungary, O'Bannon is unsigned for the time being.

11. M.J. Walker (G)

Photo: Dennis Peterson-AP

Walker was a high school hero, but unfortunately hit the brutal reality wall of the NBA draft process. At Jonesboro High School in Georgia, Walker was a local basketball icon. He led Jonesboro to back-to-back Georgia state championships (2014 and 2015) and brought them to four consecutive state title games. At 6'5" and a muscular 210+ pounds, Walker possessed an NBA-ready body as a teenager. Billed as a powerful two-way guard who could overpower smaller defenders, knock down perimeter jumpers, and defend multiple positions, he was basically Anthony Edwards before we were introduced to him. Opting out of blue-blood offers, Walker committed to Florida State University, and while he never blew up into a 20-point-per-game star, Walker was an essential four-year leader. 

He helped power FSU to an Elite Eight (2018), a Sweet Sixteen (2019), and the program's first-ever ACC Regular Season Championship in 2020. As a senior captain in 2020–21, he averaged 12.2 points per game while shooting a stellar 42.3% from three-point range and looked like an NBA ready shooter, but scouts viewed his athletic ceiling as limited compared to younger, project-based prospects. Despite going undrafted in 2021, Walker signed a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns during the COVID hardship exemption period in December 2021, appearing in two official NBA games. Since then? He's played in France, Canada, New Zealand and the G-League, hoping for another shot.

12. Trae Young (G)

Photo: John McDonnell-AP

The crown jewel of this list and the best-lived prospect by far, Trae Young has lived up to every expectation given to him. From deep-range, pull-up three-pointers to elite, league-leading court vision, "Ice Trae" quickly turned himself into one of the most lethal offensive engines in modern NBA history. Born in Lubbock, Texas, Young moved to Oklahoma, where he put together one of the most absurd high school scoring careers in history at Norman North. s a senior, he averaged a staggering 42.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game, regularly pulling up from logo distance and turning gyms into standing room only. Billed as a pure offensive maestro with quick-trigger shooting mechanics, tight handles, and generational passing instincts, skeptics naturally pointed out his small 6'1" frame and defensive limitations, but his offensive gravity was undeniable. Instead of heading to a traditional blue-blood, Young stayed home to play for the University of Oklahoma. What followed was arguably the most sensational individual freshman season in NCAA history.

Young became the first and only player in NCAA Division I history to lead the entire nation in both scoring (27.4 PPG) and assists (8.7 APG) in a single season. Dubbed the "next Stephen Curry", Young was drafted 5th overall to the Hawks, where he averaged 19 points and 8 assists per game as one of the league's best point guards. The following season? Trae went berserk, averaging 29.1 points, 9 assists and 4 rebounds as a 21-year-old kid. Across nearly eight seasons in Atlanta, he established himself as one of the premier playmakers and clutch scorers in basketball, earning 4x NBA All-Star honors (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025) and an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2022. Traded to Washington in a blockbuster deal earlier this year, the Wizards' future looks sky high.

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Nine years later, this class still refuses to give us easy answers. Some players became stars, others never came close to their original projections and several remain capable of one big push.

Which career trajectory shocked you the most? Which player exceeded your expectations, and who left you wondering what could have been? Let us know what surprised you—for better or worse.

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Thanks for reading!

-Joel Piton

(@jpiton7)