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.

 

[NothinButDaHorns34]

So how far behind is he going to be with S&C?

[Gerry Hamilton]

55 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

So how far behind is he going to be with S&C?

1.25 months from starting point of this team

[Jordan91]

How in the world is TJ not on that list?

[Jeff Howe]

 

[Jeff Howe]

 

[Dread-headed Texan]

Spears Jr. I hope you're watching Caleb Wilson, you could be next.

[Gerry Hamilton]

11 hours ago, Jordan91 said:

How in the world is TJ not on that list?

ESPN wasn’t in the rankings game back then

 

[GQ03]

58 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

ESPN wasn’t in the rankings game back then

 

I feel like I remember TJ being more of a top 25 guy than a top 10 guy back then. He was vastly underrated as Texas talent wasn't fully respected in hoops back then. The secret of Texas talent didn't fully get out until the 2010s. TJ's McDonald's All-American performance did let everyone know that he was different. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

21 minutes ago, GQ03 said:

I feel like I remember TJ being more of a top 25 guy than a top 10 guy back then. He was vastly underrated as Texas talent wasn't fully respected in hoops back then. The secret of Texas talent didn't fully get out until the 2010s. TJ's McDonald's All-American performance did let everyone know that he was different. 

That’s correct. Aaron Miles and Carlos Hurt were ranked ahead of him at PG

That class was loaded too. TJ was in that 22-25 range nationally

[GQ03]

1 minute ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

That’s correct. Aaron Miles and Carlos Hurt were ranked ahead of him at PG

That class was loaded too. TJ was in that 22-25 range nationally

Yeah, I remember hearing about Carlos Hurt but never seeing him play. Heard he had some attitude issues and maybe ended up at Louisville but still never saw him play.