Breaking Down Top Players in 2025 McDonald's All American Game

They got next.

And next kind of starts right now.

Basketball's stars of tomorrow take center stage today—or Tuesday, April 1 to be more specific. That's when the 2025 McDonald's All-American Games tip-off, showcasing some of the very best talent in the prep ranks who will soon take over the college game.

This event's rosters look stacked from all angles, but we'll spotlight three of the top talents on the boys side.

Cameron Boozer, Christopher Columbus High School

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The son of former 13-year NBA veteran Carlos Boozer—and twin brother of fellow McDonald's All-American Game participant and 2026 draft prospect Cayden Boozer—Cameron Boozer routinely ranks among the top prospects in his draft class.

He plays a polished, pro-friendly style and flashes a deep bag of basketball skills. His perimeter shot can be a touch streaky, but just about everything else is a consistent positive, including his easy-on-the-eyes post game and playmaking. The 6'9" forward also pairs elite awareness with insatiable energy to help maximize his impact.

He won't be the best athlete in this event, but he'll have a case for being its best basketball player.

Chris Cenac Jr., Link Academy

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Chris Cenac Jr. will be an easy sell to NBA scouts and front offices. There is obvious unicorn potential here as the 6'11" big (with a 7'4" wingspan) offers paint protection at one end and shooting range at the other.

He is mobile enough to perhaps offer do-anything potential—or at least switch-everything potential—on defense while serving as a steady, explosive finisher on offense. He also drops plenty of hints about having a wealth of perimeter skills on the offensive end, including not only that outside shot, but also the ability to navigate around closing-out defenders off the dribble.

His skills need more seasoning, and his motor could be a bit more reliable, but his upside is both enormous and obvious.

AJ Dybantsa, Utah Prep

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NBA teams are forever on the hunt for big wings: big-wing scorers or big-wing stoppers to contain those walking buckets.

That's a big part of why AJ Dybantsa is firmly in the mix for being the No. 1 pick of the 2026 draft. He is a 6'9" three-level scorer with explosive athleticism and the ability to create for himself or his teammates. He is built like a power forward but plays like a scoring wing who can make passes on the move and defend all over.

He is a must-watch for hoops fans any time he takes the floor, but those who miss him in action can usually get up to speed by his highlight-reel appearances. If his electric finishes don't go viral, then his isolation scoring typically will.

Darryn Peterson, Prolific Prep

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When B/R's Jonathan Wasserman released his rankings of 2026 NBA draft prospects in November, Darryn Peterson held the No. 1 spot. That's also where Peterson found himself in a late February 2026 mock by ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo.

Peterson is, in other words, the highest-end of high-end prospects. Wasserman labeled Peterson "the most polished and skilled, well-rounded, two-way player in high school basketball." Givony similarly tabbed Peterson as "the best player in high school basketball" while lauding his "enviable combination of size, length and shot-creation prowess."

Peterson, who turned 18 in January, plays as if the game is already slowing down for him. His slippery handles and changes-of-pace can get him anywhere he wants, and he knows it, so he doesn't overstress himself or take wild shots. His scoring arsenal is fully loaded, but his two-way playmaking might be just as exciting. Showing out on this stage could help solidify his standing as the top prospect in this class.