Teenage Basketball Phenom Tops ESPN's 2027 Recruit Rankings

On August 15, 2025, ESPN released its rankings for the top high school basketball prospects in the Class of 2027, and a familiar name sits atop the list. Marcus Spears Jr., a 6-foot-7 power forward, has been named the No. 1 recruit in the country by the sports network.

Spears Jr.'s name may sound familiar because his father, Marcus Spears Sr., is a well-known ESPN and Monday Night Football analyst. The elder Spears was a standout at LSU before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005. While his father made his mark in the NFL, Spears Jr. has opted to follow in his parents' footsteps on the basketball court.

Spears Jr.'s mother, Aiysha Smith, was also a basketball star, playing at LSU before being selected 7th overall in the 2003 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. With such an impressive athletic pedigree, it's no surprise that Spears Jr. has emerged as one of the top high school players in the nation.

"I have a lot of respect for my peers and they are great talents as well. To be recognized as the top player in the country in my class is not only an honor but a testament to all the work that's been put in so far," Spears Jr. said via ESPN. "Much more work to do but honored to be in this spot. The work is all that matters."

With his combination of size, skill, and basketball lineage, Spears Jr. will have no shortage of collegiate options. According to 247Sports, the young phenom already has 12 offers, including from powerhouse programs like Kentucky, Houston, and, of course, his father's alma mater, LSU.