These are the Five Most Underrated Recruits in the 2025 High School Class

Each year, we see unheralded high school recruits break out in college. Equally, we’ll watch some highly touted high school players underwhelm relative to expectations. Let’s discuss five of my most underrated prospects in the 2025 high school class, using 247 Sports’s recent recruiting rankings as a benchmark.

Cayden Boozer, G, Duke

247’s rank: 24

My rank: 7-10

Cayden Boozer has always played in the shadow of his brother Cameron, but Cayden is a genuine NBA prospect in his own right. His recent Chipotle Nationals performance capped off a sparkling high school career, thriving on both ends of the floor.

Boozer isn’t a high-volume scorer and doesn’t demand the ball to excel as a guard, which makes him fly under the radar compared to other highly ranked guards in the class. NBA teams especially will covet his off-ball skillset, letting him fit next to other elite talents, just like he will at Duke next season.

Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky

247’s rank: 28

My rank: 5-10

Moreno’s toolbox reminds of many excellent modern centers — he’s a capable ballhandler with excellent passing feel, letting him operate on the perimeter. Beyond his offensive versatility, he’s an excellent rebounder and finisher, rounding out a versatile offensive skillset for a center.

Though Moreno will need to add strength, his vertical explosion and mobility should let him excel on the defensive end. Moreno should have the chance to play himself to lottery pick status under Mark Pope at Kentucky next season.

Jaden Toombs, C, SMU

247’s rank: 38

My rank: 10-20

Concerns about Toombs’s NBA fit might be warranted because of his height and some defensive concerns. There aren’t 30 better players than him in the class, though, and that number likely sits closer to 15. Toombs is too skilled, smart and strong not to add value, at least at the college level.

Toombs will thrive as an interior scorer, working out of the post and draining floaters in the middle of the floor. He’s a skilled passer with great feel who can handle and shoot the three, rendering him an ideal modern big man on top of his post-scoring prowess.

Dante Allen, G, Uncommitted 

247’s rank: 46

My rank: 10-20

Allen starred for a Montverde team that doesn’t feature as many highly touted prospects as it has in previous years. He’s a smart, skilled point guard with plenty of winning experience for his future college team to tap into. Allen proved a critical piece for the Peach Jam winning Nightrydas Elite, as well.

While Allen might not profile as a primary scorer, he’s an excellent decision-maker with the ball who has enough juice to create his own shots. Allen has shot the ball well in the past and defends soundly on and off of the ball. Depending on his future fit, he has a real shot at building a case among the other first round NBA prospects.

DeWayne Brown, C, Tennessee

247’s rank: 103

My rank: 25-40

Despite his ranking outside of the top 100, Brown has the skillset and playstyle to dominate at least the college level. He’s a 6’7 center, which brings some worries for his NBA translation. However, he’s too productive and impactful to sit this low in the rankings even if there are obvious physical limitations.

Brown will thrive as a post-up scorer at Tennessee, carving out space with his strength and size to score down low. He’s a surprisingly nimble mover for a 250-pound big man, capable of hanging on the perimeter when needed. Expect him to find a home as a productive college frontcourt player, despite his lack of buzz.