McDonald’s All-American Game: Early Stock Watch for the 2027 Draft
Early impressions on a developing class with plenty still to be decided
McDonald’s All-American Game Recap: Early Reads on the 2027 Draft Class
The end of March means a few things in the basketball world. The Final Four is around the corner, the transfer portal is buzzing with activity, and the McDonald’s All-American Game has tipped off.
Last year’s game featured what could end up being around thirteen first-round picks. The 2025 class included names like Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff, and AJ Dybantsa. That group would have been even more loaded had Cooper Flagg and Jeremiah Fears not graduated early.
A Different Kind of Draft Landscape
With the 2026 NBA Draft class looming, teams didn’t wait around to start positioning themselves. Tanking efforts ramped up earlier than normal, with several franchises pivoting before the All-Star break and trade deadline by holding out players due to various injuries and lingering ailments. As a result, G League call-ups have seen expanded roles and heavy minutes late in the season. The league has taken notice, with commissioner Adam Silver acknowledging the issue and stating, “we’re going to fix it — full stop,” adding that next season’s incentives “will be completely different than they are now.”
That urgency speaks to just how highly evaluators view the top end of the 2026 class, even if the next group is still coming into focus.
That’s not to say the class lacks talent. It just does not appear as top-heavy right now. Every draft cycle produces late bloomers, so the question becomes who will emerge as that diamond in the rough.
Another wrinkle in projecting the 2027 class is the growing impact of NIL. Players projected as late first-round picks now have a real financial incentive to return to school, where they can earn comparable or even greater money. It already appears to be paying off for Alabama’s Labaron Philon, who now projects as a top 15 pick. Expect more players to follow that path.
Setting the Scene: Phoenix Showcase
Back to the McDonald’s All-American Game in Phoenix. These showcase games are typically loose and a bit sloppy, so it is important not to overreact. Still, they offer a valuable glimpse at elite, up-and-coming talent.
Having built big boards for the 2027, 2028, and 2029 classes, I was already familiar with most of the roster, along with a few notable omissions such as Duke commit Bryson Howard and UNC’s Dylan Mingo.
With that in mind, here are the standout performers from the night.
Tyran Stokes
6’7” 230 lbs | Small Forward | Undecided
Stokes is my early pick to go number one in the 2027 NBA Draft, regardless of who returns to school.
He is already physically mature and impacts the game across the board. Stokes rebounds and passes at a high level, operating as a true point forward with a relentless motor. While his catch-and-shoot ability still needs development, his overall versatility makes him incredibly valuable.
In Phoenix, he finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 stocks, showcasing his all-around impact. His two-way presence and positional versatility draw some loose comparisons to Scottie Barnes, even if the measurements do not fully match.
Jordan Smith Jr.
6’2” 200 lbs | Combo Guard | Arkansas
Smith Jr. has big shoes to fill at Arkansas following the departure of SEC Player and Freshman of the Year Darius Acuff. While they are not stylistically similar, Smith Jr. looks like the next in a long line of successful guards under John Calipari.
At 6’2”, he plays bigger than his size and brings real two-way value. He can defend both guard spots, disrupt passing lanes, and contribute as a scorer and playmaker.
If he continues developing as a primary ball handler, he could push into the number one conversation. Even if he settles as an undersized scoring guard, his defensive traits, similar to Cason Wallace, give him a high floor.
He finished with 15 points and 4 assists, offering a glimpse of what he could look like running the Razorbacks’ offense.
Caleb Holt
6’5” 200 lbs | Combo Guard | Arizona
Holt is another prospect stepping into a major role, heading to Arizona with expectations to replace a potential lottery pick.
His physical profile and slashing ability will remind Wildcats fans of Brayden Burries. Like Burries, Holt is a tenacious point-of-attack defender, an attribute that should translate immediately to both college and the NBA.
He has made noticeable strides as a shooter, and that development will be key. While he is not quite as polished with the ball in his hands as Burries, Holt brings many of the same intangibles.
Fresh off a Grind Session Championship alongside BYU commit Bruce Branch, Holt carried that momentum into Phoenix, posting 11 points and 4 assists.
Other Notable Performers
Deron Rippey Jr. - 6’2” 175 lbs | Point Guard | Duke
One of the most explosive point guards in the class, Rippey’s athleticism was on full display. If he gets a step, it is likely ending in a highlight. The big question is fit. Can he coexist with Cayden Boozer if Boozer returns? Neither is a proven shooter at this stage. Rippey finished with 7 points and 4 assists.
Cameron Williams - 6’11” 200 lbs | Forward | Duke
Williams passes the eye test immediately. Long, athletic, and fluid, he flashed perimeter shooting ability and projects as a versatile forward. He is still raw, but his tools are exactly what NBA teams like to bet on. He recorded 9 points on 3 of 8 shooting.
Jaxson Richardson - 6’6” 205 lbs | Wing | Alabama
Richardson made a smart decision heading to Alabama, where Nate Oats’ system should maximize his athleticism and push his perimeter development. The son of Jason Richardson, Jaxson may be even more explosive. He thrived in the open-floor setting, finishing with 13 points and multiple transition dunks.
Jason Crowe - 6’3” 170 lbs | Combo Guard | Missouri
Crowe came into the game with reputation of being a prolific scorer and did what he’s known for best. Crowe scored 16 points to lead all scorers. Crowe is the all time leading scorer in California public school history after averaging 43 points per game on his way to passing up Tounde Yessefou. Crowe is will need to adjust his shot selection in order to improve his draft stock
Final Thoughts
As expected, the McDonald’s All-American Game was not about structure. It was about flashes.
And there were plenty.
Tyran Stokes looks like the early frontrunner for the number one pick, while players like Jordan Smith Jr. and Caleb Holt showed they belong firmly in the top-tier conversation. The depth of the class may still be uncertain, but the foundation of high-level talent is clearly there.
Now the real evaluation begins when these players step into defined roles at the college level.