Top '27 recruit Spears Jr. reclassifies, picks Tex...

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Joined ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Follow on X and Paul BiancardiClosePaul BiancardiBasketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.

com 18 years of coaching experience at Division I level Former Horizon League coach of the year at Wright StateFollow on XMultiple AuthorsJul 9, 2026, 02:56 PM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMarcus Spears Jr., the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2027, is reclassifying and committing to Texas for the upcoming college basketball season, he told ESPN on Thursday.

Arizona, LSU and Kentucky were also in pursuit of Spears, a Texas native whose sister, Cari, plays volleyball for the Longhorns. He took an official visit to Arizona in late June and has taken two unofficial visits to Texas, including a trip to Austin on June 16."Texas basketball is becoming a big thing again, and I am excited to be part of it," Spears told ESPN.

"The Texas fans can expect a worker with a lot of energy. I will be trying to bring Texas a national championship.""Marcus Jr.

grew up in Texas, and there's nothing like playing for your home school and winning," added Spears' father, ESPN analyst and former NFL defensive end Marcus Spears. "I experienced that growing up in Louisiana at LSU. This is his decision and his future."

A 6-foot-10 power forward from Dynamic Prep (Texas), Spears Jr. has been considered the No. 1 prospect in the 2027 class for the last year.

He was the only player to rank in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding on the Nike EYBL circuit this spring, averaging 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds.

He helped lead USA Basketball to a gold medal at the FIBA U16 Men's AmeriCup in 2025, averaging a team-high 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds and earning All-Star Five honors.

Because Spears just turned 17 in April, he is two years away from being eligible for the NBA draft and will need to spend two years in Austin. Spears' father pointed to coach Sean Miller's developmental track record as a deciding factor in his son's commitment."The alignment.

I keep going back to the alignment," Spears said. "Sean Miller has a basketball plan for him, and he has coached and developed some of the best in the game: Deandre Ayton and Aaron Gordon. What he did with Dailyn Swain was also very impressive.

His numbers improved at Xavier and then again at Texas under Sean. He has created a culture of player development, toughness,