Eye On College Basketball: Episode Summary

Title: State of the 2026 CBB Recruiting Class + Peach Jam Recap - RISERS & Fallers, JJ Andrews named MVP
Host/Author: CBS Sports
Release Date: July 22, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of CBS Sports’ Eye On College Basketball, hosts Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander delve deep into the current landscape of the 2026 college basketball recruiting class, providing insightful analysis on its strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, the episode offers a comprehensive recap of the Peach Jam tournament, highlighting standout performances and key takeaways for both rising stars and established programs.

2. State of the 2026 CBB Recruiting Class

General Assessment Adam Finkelstein, Director of Scouting for 247 Sports, joins the conversation around [05:00] to discuss the overall quality of the 2026 recruiting class. Both hosts concur that this class is one of the weakest in recent history, comparable to the 2023 class. Finkelstein emphasizes the scarcity of top-tier talent and the implications this has on both college programs and the NBA draft.

Adam Finkelstein [06:38]: "There are good classes, there are bad classes. It's why the NBA is forecasting so much emphasis, not necessarily into like the specific players in a class when they're years out, but the collective strength."

Impact on College Recruiting The weak 2026 class forces college coaches, especially those from blue-blood programs like Duke and Kentucky, to reassess their recruiting strategies. Traditionally reliant on "one-and-done" freshmen to propel teams towards championships, these programs may shift towards valuing player retention and multi-year commitments.

Finkelstein [10:25]: "I think player retention is going to be a big factor... Getting Kyle Filipowski to come back for a second season, even when he was arguably the best freshman in the country in his first year there."

Impact on NBA Draft NBA franchises face challenges in projecting the value of future draft picks due to the perceived weakness of the 2026 class. This uncertainty may lead to a devaluation of draft assets and a potential glut of draft picks, as teams scramble to secure talent amidst evolving recruitment landscapes.

Finkelstein [20:46]: "The NBA rookie returns have verified that projection. So I think the 27 draft is going to look similar. That's why the assets in that draft are going to be devalued."

3. Top Prospects in the 2026 Class

Tyron Stokes – #1 Prospect Tyron Stokes stands out as the most naturally talented player in the class, drawing comparisons to notable stars like Cooper Flag and AJ DeBonza. Despite his raw talent and physical prowess, concerns remain about his shooting consistency and reliability.

Finkelstein [40:00]: "He's far and away the most naturally talented prospect in the class... His disconnect in his game right now is the shooting and just the reliability, the consistency that drive winning."

Jordan Smith – #2 Prospect Jordan Smith is praised for his competitive nature and defensive prowess. Although not a traditional point guard, his ability to impact games on both ends makes him a coveted recruit for top-tier programs such as Duke and Kentucky.

Finkelstein [41:07]: "From a competitive standpoint, from an intangible standpoint, this guy just wins. He's got the mentality that I, and most people who know him really well are willing to bank on."

Brandon McCoy – #3 Prospect Originally considered a potential #1, Brandon McCoy has shown promise with his athleticism and defense. However, his recent performances suggest inconsistency in his skill set, leaving his future somewhat uncertain.

Finkelstein [44:59]: "His defense, his physicality, his power, his athleticism, those things are all very clear in terms of sheer production. He's right up there."

Christian Collins – #4 Prospect Christian Collins is recognized for his upside, boasting impressive size and athleticism. While his current productivity is lacking, his long-term potential keeps him in high regard.

Finkelstein [47:19]: "He has a long list of long-term tools... he's just not there yet."

Jason Crow Jr. – #5 Prospect Jason Crow Jr. commits to Missouri, marking a significant gain for the program. Known for his scoring ability, Crow Jr. is expected to make an immediate impact in college basketball, potentially as a top scorer.

Finkelstein [49:51]: "He's the best scoring guard in this class... he will be able to do the same at Missouri maybe as well as, if not better than any other freshman in the country next year."

4. Peach Jam Recap

Tournament Summary The Peach Jam, a prominent July tournament, concluded with Brad Bill Elite emerging as the champions, driven by standout performances from players like J.J. Andrews. The tournament showcased emerging talents poised to make significant strides in the upcoming season.

Standout Players

• J.J. Andrews: Named MVP of the tournament, Andrews demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership, solidifying his status as a top recruit.
• Jameson White & Pearson: Peers from Brad Bill Elite and other teams showed promising developments, with Pearson committing to Marquette, signaling strong future potential.

Finkelstein [52:33]: "Brad Bill Elite won the whole thing. J.J. Andrews was their marquee player. They also have a player, Pearson, who's committed to Marquette."

5. NIL Developments and Financial Uncertainty in College Basketball

NIL Policy Changes The NCAA has transferred oversight of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policies to the College Sports Commission (CSC). This shift aims to regulate and manage NIL deals but has introduced significant uncertainty regarding financial offers and recruiting dynamics.

Finkelstein [28:49]: "The NCAA is no longer in charge of monitoring and governing everything related to NIL. The College Sports Commission, the CSC is now that entity."

Impact on Recruiting Financial Offers Colleges face hesitation in committing financially to recruits due to budget uncertainties and discrepancies between NIL expectations and actual offers. This financial strain is particularly pronounced for top-tier recruits who expect substantial NIL support.

Finkelstein [23:14]: "The biggest reasons are the uncertainty about the money... schools are reluctant to make financial offers when they're not entirely sure what their budget or spending constraints are going to look like."

Potential for Creative Loopholes Coaches express skepticism about the enforceability of NIL restrictions, predicting that programs will find creative ways to compensate players within or around the new regulations. This includes automated small payments or exploiting contractual loopholes to meet student-athletes' financial expectations.

Finkelstein [32:12]: "Coaches who have heard from agents who are trying to find any way possible to ensure that... they are still going to be able to do it speaks to how truly, truly insane we are already."

6. Offseason Developments in College Basketball

Memphis Tigers Struggles The Memphis Tigers endured a tumultuous offseason marked by player departures, academic fraud penalties, and failed conference realignment attempts. The university's unsuccessful bid to join the Big 12 Conference highlights ongoing instability.

Parrish [63:49]: "Memphis is having a bad run here in this offseason... there's never not a crisis of some sort."

Conference Realignment and Stability The episode discusses the broader implications of conference realignment, emphasizing the reluctance of major conferences like the Big 12 to expand amid ongoing NIL and recruiting challenges. Stability remains uncertain as programs navigate financial constraints and shifting landscapes.

Parrish [63:49]: "The Big 12 doesn't want to expand at this point... presidents are looking to stick at 16 for a little bit here."

7. Upcoming Episodes and Features

Top Five CBB Stories Since 2000 Listeners can anticipate an upcoming episode featuring Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander discussing the top five stories in men's college basketball over the past 25 years. This special segment promises engaging analysis and historical insights into the sport’s most pivotal moments.

Auctions for Additional Episodes The podcast introduces a unique opportunity for listeners to bid on bonus episodes focusing on their favorite schools, whether small mid-majors or prominent blue-blood programs. Three winning bids will be selected, allowing for tailored content based on listener interest.

Summer Shootarounds Starting next week, the podcast will launch summer shootarounds, providing in-depth coverage of ongoing recruiting activities, player developments, and tournament performances. Updates will include highlight reels and strategic analyses from various recruiting circuits.

Parrish [70:00]: "Summer shoot arounds coming starting next week... three bonus episodes this year... keep an eye out for that."

Conclusion

This episode of Eye On College Basketball offers a thorough examination of the challenging 2026 recruiting class, the implications of evolving NIL policies, and a detailed recap of the Peach Jam tournament. The hosts provide valuable insights into the current state of college basketball, highlighting both the struggles and opportunities facing programs and recruits alike. As the landscape continues to shift, listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for future episodes that will further explore these dynamic developments.

Notable Quotes:

• Adam Finkelstein [06:38]: "There are good classes, there are bad classes. It's why the NBA is forecasting so much emphasis... but the collective strength."
• Finkelstein [10:25]: "I think player retention is going to be a big factor... Getting Kyle Filipowski to come back for a second season."
• Finkelstein [20:46]: "The NBA rookie returns have verified that projection... the 27 draft is going to look similar."
• Finkelstein [32:12]: "Coaches are trying to find workarounds... they're going to hit that 599 button every hour on the hour."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, providing a detailed overview of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented by Gary Parrish, Matt Norlander, and their guest Adam Finkelstein. Whether you're an avid follower or new to the podcast, this summary serves as an informative guide to the current happenings in college basketball.