Marcus Spears Jr. is getting a lot of attention. Spears Jr. was named ESPN’s top 2027 college basketball recruit yesterday. Spears moved into the top spot after their previous No. 1 pick, Babatunde Oladotun, reclassified to 2026.
“In the class of 2027, Marcus Spears Jr. takes over the No. 1 spot,” Paul Biancardi of ESPN said. “His progress and potential are converging at the right time.”
Son of Ex-WNBA First Round Pick and Former 9-Year NFL’er Garnering A lot of Attention from Top Programs
Spears Jr. is a 6-7 forward, 180-pound forward who plays at Dynamic Prep in Plano (TX). Spears had modest numbers as a high school sophomore, but he showed off his athleticism and efficiency.
In 34 games last year for Dynamic Prep, Spears averaged 6.3 points, 5.3 rebounds (1.5 offensive), and 1.1 blocks. He shot 72% from the field, but was only 5 of 7 from deep (71%), and 23 of 35 from the charity stripe (66%). He also produced two double-doubles.
This spring, Spears earned a spot on the 2025 USA Men’s U16 National Team. Then he led the US to their ninth gold medal at the event and 49th straight victory. He topped the squad with 14.0 points and was third in rebounds (6.5) while adding 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks. Additionally, the All-Star Five selection scored in double-figures five of the six games and produced one double-double with shooting splits of 60.8/35.5/72.2.
Spears comes from an athletic family. The 16-year-old is the son of former high school hoopers Marcus Spears Sr. and Aiyisha Smith. Spears Sr, now an NFL analyst for ESPN, was a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and played nine seasons in the league. Smith was the No. 7 pick in 2003 by the Washington Mystics, though she only played two seasons in the WNBA. Meanwhile, his sister Macaria Spears was named the Gatorade Texas Volleyball Player of the Year in 2024-25 and is slated to play for the Texas Longhorns this fall.
“My wife and I are proud of him and Really proud of the young man he is. He works tirelessly at trying to maximize his gift,” Spears Sr. told Sporting News on Thursday night. “We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”
Marcus Spears Jr. Recruiting
While Spears Jr. is ranked No. 1 by ESPN in his class, he is a consensus top 10 recruit. Known for his work ethic, athleticism, and defensive versatility, Spears is ranked No. 12 by Rivals and No. 3 by 247Sports.
Spears owns 13 scholarships, with his most recent coming from Kentucky at the end of July. Nine of the offers have come since June, though he received his first overture on October 29 from LSU. USC, Pitt, UNLV, Tennessee, Indiana, Texas A&M, Miami, Oklahoma State, Stanford, and SMU.
Spears said in early July that he has heard from Duke, Kentucky, LSU, and Miami the most. He received a house visit from Kentucky before receiving an offer, and took an unofficial visit to SMU last February.
“Spears is a long and rangy 6-foot-8 forward who makes a lot happen because he plays so hard. He isn’t overly skilled just yet, but he defends several positions, has a non-stop motor, and is constantly making winning plays,” 247Sports National Basketball Director Eric Bossi wrote. “When his body matures and he refines his skill, Spears could be a monster.”
Photo Credit: Katie Goodale, The Augusta Chronicle
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