Marcus Spears Jr. has signed with Texas - UT release

[Gerry Hamilton]

Men’s Basketball signs Marcus Spears Jr.

The nation’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2027 reclassifies and joins the Longhorns for the 2026-27 season.

AUSTIN, Texas — Marcus Spears Jr. has signed an Athletic Scholarship Agreement (ASA) to play basketball next season at The University of Texas, head coach Sean Miller announced Friday. Spears Jr., the nation’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2027, has reclassified and will join the Longhorns for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

With the addition of Spears Jr. to the Texas roster, the Longhorns have moved into the No. 1 spot nationally by 247 Sports in the organization’s ranking of overall basketball recruiting classes. The ranking includes the combination of high school and international signings and transfer portal additions. Miller and the Texas staff have added 11 total newcomers to the 2026-27 roster. 

Spears Jr. (6-10, 210), a forward from Frisco, Texas, was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the nation by ESPN in the Class of 2027. Following his reclassification, he is ranked as the No. 4 prospect nationally by ESPN, No. 7 by Rivals Industry and No. 8 by 247 Sports in the Class of 2026. Since ESPN began its recruiting rankings in 2007, Spears is the sixth top-five national recruit to sign with Texas, joining Avery Bradley (No. 1 in 2009), Myles Turner (No. 2 in 2014), Mohamed Bamba (No. 4 in 2017), Dillon Mitchell (No. 4 in 2022) and Tre Johnson (No. 5 in 2024).

Spears Jr. played his junior season at Dynamic Prep and averaged 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while leading the team to a 39-5 record and a run to the Chipotle Nationals semifinals. Competing as FaZe in the Overtime Elite (OTE) league, the team captured the OTE league championship with a perfect 19-0 record through the regular season and playoffs.

During this spring’s Nike EYBL circuit, Spears Jr. was the only player to rank in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding as he averaged 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Per ESPN, he is one of just four players since 2022 to average at least 20 points, 8.5 rebounds and one block in three straight EYBL sessions – joining Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer and Tyran Stokes.

Spears Jr. helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 FIBA U16 Men’s AmeriCup in Jaurez, Mexico, on June 2-8, 2025. He started all six contests and averaged a team-best 14.0 points to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per game while earning FIBA U16 AmeriCup All-Star Five recognition.

His older sister, Cari, is a sophomore All-American outside hitter on the volleyball team at The University of Texas.