Top recruit Marcus Spears Jr. reclassifies, commits to Texas basketball for 2026

Marcus Spears Jr., the top-ranked men’s basketball recruit for the Class of 2027, reclassified to the Class of 2026 on Thursday and announced on social media that he has committed to Texas. That means the five-star forward will suit up for the Longhorns this upcoming season, probably as a starter for a preseason top-five team.

Spears, who turned 17 in April and is the son of former NFL defensive end and current ESPN analyst Marcus Spears, will have to spend two seasons in college before he is eligible for the 2028 NBA Draft (players must be a year removed from high school and turn 19 in the calendar year of their draft to be selected).

Texas was already one of the biggest winners of this college basketball offseason. Still, after the Longhorns’ latest addition, coach Sean Miller’s team should be considered a true national title front-runner.

The Athletic ranked Texas No. 7 in its most recent offseason top 25 after the Longhorns added four top-100 transfers and two top-50 high school recruits.

However, with Spears now in the fold, The Athletic’s CJ Moore said he would move Miller’s team into his top five, given the Longhorns have one of the most stacked rosters in the sport.

At 6 foot 9 and 210 pounds, Spears could slot in immediately as one of Texas’ starters, adding even more size to a team that should be among college basketball’s biggest next season. However, Texas is deep enough, especially in the frontcourt, that Spears also won’t be forced into a role he isn’t ready for.

Spears becomes the latest top prospect in a growing trend of up-and-comers entering college basketball early, which means they must play multiple seasons before becoming draft-eligible. Top international signees Nikola Kusturica (UCLA) and Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje (Duke), both of whom are early contenders to go No. 1 in the 2028 NBA Draft, also will have to play at least two college seasons before going pro.