AJ Dybantsa (Utah Prep Photo)
Three Grind Session players who could be playing in one or more events in Kentucky this basketball season are included in the updated ESPN top 25 player rankings for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes but ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi also named his top 25 players, regardless of class.
The three Grind Session players on the nation’s overall top 25 player list are Utah Prep’s AJ Dybantsa, Prolific Prep’s Darryn Peterson, and DME Academy’s Mikel Brown, Jr.
Biancardi posted comments on all three players.
On No. 1 Dybantsa, a small forward who has not made a college choice, Biancardi wrote: “Dybantsa has NBA positional size and talent and is high school basketball’s best long-term prospect. He can finish, score, serve as a playmaker and he has a future as a switchable defender with rebounding and shot-blocking ability. He can also dominate games, produce in non-scoring areas and he understands when to defer and create for others. On pace to go No. 1 in the 2026 NBA draft.”
Guard Peterson is ranked No. 3 overall in Biancardi’s ranking and also is uncommitted about his college choice. Biancardi wrote: “The Prolific Prep guard is an exceptional scorer. He has positional size, shooting touch, range, footwork and playmaking talent. It’s hard to keep him out of the lane. Peterson is a strong on-ball defender who can sit down and guard the ball with focus. He’s a force in transition, too, because he goes in straight lines until he needs to change direction. The top overall guard in high school basketball has a promising future in college and as an NBA lottery pick.”
Point guard Mikel Brown is 12th ranked overall by Biancardi. He has an official visit scheduled with Kentucky later this month (the other two do not have UK on their final list of schools). Biancardi likes what he has seen from Brown.
“When it comes to pure skill and feel for the game, Brown is near the top of the list. His jumper has deep range, and he gets into the paint to use his floater with soft touch and timing. Brown has notable point guard vision, has developed his handle and can deliver passes with either hand. He has matured and is ready to be a leader,” Biancardi wrote.
The 6-3 Brown played for Overtime Elite last season but will play for DME Academy in Florida this season.
“It’s been a lot of fun watching our players continue to make a mark on the national stage, and we’re excited to see what the upcoming season has in store for them and their teams,” said Grind Session CEO Scott Waldrop. “We take great pride in being the home and proving ground for the nation’s best prospects and teams, and having three players ranked in ESPN’s top 25 is yet another reason to be proud.”
