There are 18 five-stars atop the ESPN 100 player rankings for the men’s college basketball class of 2026. Entering the July live period, just one player (JaShawn “JJ” Andrews) had committed, but now there’s one more joining the mix: ESPN 100 No. 4 Jason Crowe announced Friday he was committing to Missouri, giving the Tigers their highest-ranked recruit since Michael Porter Jr. in 2017.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello will be tracking every five-star commitment announcement as it happens this season, and break down how it happened, the fit and more.

Find the full player rankings here:
2026 ESPN 100 | 2027 ESPN 60 | 2028 ESPN 25

2026 ESPN 100 ranking: 4
Committed to: Missouri Tigers

Background: Crowe didn’t wait until the end of the July live period to make his commitment, setting a date for mid-July in advance. He also never announced an official school list. For much of his recruitment, though, Kentucky and USC were considered the primary contenders: Crowe’s father played with Kentucky assistant Jason Hart and the two remain friends, and the Trojans made him a priority throughout the process. But over the final few weeks, Missouri emerged as the favorite and was able to land the top-five scorer.

How he fits: Crowe is one of the elite scorers in high school basketball, averaging better than 23 points per game on the Nike EYBL circuit. He’s explosive with the ball in his hands and is an adept playmaker who can get others involved. At Missouri, Crowe will likely become the team’s best offensive player early, although point guard Anthony Robinson and UCLA transfer Sebastian Mack could return to Columbia in 2026-27 and take the pressure off Crowe. It’s also worth noting that Dennis Gates & Co. have made some real headway with fellow five-star Toni Bryant (No. 13).

What’s next for Kentucky and USC? Crowe would have been the ideal start of the 2026-27 roster for either Kentucky or USC, but both programs have talented prospects remaining at the top of their boards. The Wildcats are in pursuit of No. 1 prospect Tyran Stokes, No. 5 Caleb Holt, and five-star point guards Taylen Kinney (No. 17) and Deron Rippey Jr. (No. 18), among others. USC is eyeing Christian Collins (No. 2), Brandon McCoy (No. 6) and Tajh Ariza (No. 20) at the top.

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2026 ESPN 100 ranking: 12
Committed to: Arkansas Razorbacks

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Background: While highly ranked prospects from the state of Arkansas have typically stayed home for college — ironically, Malik Monk choosing John Calipari’s Kentucky over Arkansas was one of the high-profile exceptions — the Razorbacks had to do some work to land Andrews. He had LSU and Missouri among his final three, with Dennis Gates’ Tigers appearing to be in a strong position down the stretch. But Calipari has proved he still has juice with five-stars.

JJ Andrews is a BEAST 🔥 24 points and 10 boards for the Arkansas commit as Brad Beal Elite beats Oakland Soldiers 94-78 @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/HF6yxctCer

— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) July 17, 2025

How he fits: The No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas, Andrews has been on the radar of top programs for multiple years. He has tremendous physical tools and is aggressive going to the basket on the offensive end. Although he’s not a prolific perimeter shooter, he did shoot 40% from 3-point range during the EYBL regular season with just about one make per game. It’s always unclear who will return to a Calipari-coached roster, but Andrews should have an early role when he arrives in fall 2026. Unsurprisingly, the Razorbacks are in pursuit of a slew of other five-stars in 2026.

Members of Arkansas Community Organizations and Arkansas Renters United held a pair of events Thursday to voice their frustrations with unresolved habitability issues and cuts to federal assistance programs.

Current and former residents of Hickory View Apartments — which consists of the 11-story Heritage House and three-story Cedar Gardens — gathered Thursday morning for a news conference at an adjacent park in North Little Rock. They discussed their living experiences and accomodational concerns, including units and hallways they said had not been adequately repaired in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-subsidized buildings.

Deena Strickford, previously a Heritage House tenant for 15 years, had numerous safety complaints about the 11-story facility she described as “cracked from top to bottom” — foundation issues, persistent mold, interior water damage and a lack of air conditioning, among others.

Strickford, who now lives in Cedar Gardens, said authorities had been “spray-painting over the mold” as damage continued to accumulate. She said she has unsuccessfully reached out for assistance multiple times, including to the mayor’s office and North Little Rock Housing Authority.

“This is supposed to be HUD-affordable housing and fair housing,” Strickford said. “Given the billionaires’ tax cuts, we feel like that money should be going somewhere else, to fix the places up to where we have a safe environment to live.”

Hattie Temple, a former 11th-story resident, said she filed her first grievance more than six years ago, adding that she had noticed structural damage from the eighth floor to the roof that had worsened over time. Even though she called in a HUD representative, the visit did not result in a report being filed, she said.

In addition to the structural grievances, Strickford claimed there had been a number of security issues in both buildings, such as a lack of guards’ floor checks and break-ins through side entrances.

Temple said security had worsened since the North Little Rock Housing Authority transferred ownership of the properties to private companies several years ago.

“Everyone talks about the Housing Authority, but they took better care of us than these folks,” she said.

Patricia Hamby moved into the ground floor of Cedar Gardens in 2009, relocating to the third floor after her husband died about 13 years ago. She expressed that a number of hygenic and safety concerns had affected her health, gesturing to a chair and vent accumulating white spots.

“I get short of breath if I walk not even a mile,” Hamby said, mentioning that her legs had swollen in her most recent trip to the hospital. “I have to have my inhaler, I have to have my oxygen.”

Hickory View Apartments is owned by Louisiana-based developer Knight Development and managed by M&T Property Management. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reached out to Knight Development but was told Nikki Elmore, the company’s media representative, was not available to speak Thursday.

Some of the area’s residents were also present at an afternoon protest held by Arkansas Community Organizations at the Richard Sheppard Arnold U.S. Courthouse in Little Rock. Temple and Strickford were among the earliest to arrive.

On the fifth anniversary of U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ death, nearly 100 people took to the courthouse to carry on his legacy of activism. The former Democratic congressman from Georgia and civil rights leader gave rise to a popular protest slogan when he spoke about Rosa Parks’ advice “to find a way, to get in the way, to get in what I call ‘good trouble,’ necessary trouble.”

The Arkansas Community Organizations volunteers assembled near the intersection of Broadway and Capitol to heed those words, participating in the national “Good Trouble Lives On” demonstration to condemn the reduced Medicaid and SNAP funding resulting from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed by President Donald Trump this month, as well as cuts to HUD included in Trump’s federal budget proposal, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in cities and other recent directives of Trump’s administration.

Other signage focused on a perceived lack of representation from Arkansas politicians.

“We’re in a crisis, it’s almost like going back to (Lewis’) time,” said Arkansas Community Organizations Executive Director Neil Sealy. “ICE (is) on the streets, people’s dignity is being taken away, they’re cutting housing, they’re cutting Medicaid, they’re cutting SNAP, and all of this is putting money in the hands of wealthy people like our U.S. Rep. French Hill … he’ll get a nice tax break, but for the rest of us, the rent’s rising, and whatever we get ain’t going to go far.”

The Little Rock demonstration spread out along the sidewalk, attracting honks with signs reading “Vote for Peace,” “ICE Melts Under Pressure” and “Good Trouble Veterans.” Organizers rallied the gathering with chants of “Fight, fight, fight, housing is a human right” and “No justice, no peace.”

Sealy said the 95 degree heat would make Thursday’s protest shorter than normal, as the crowd gathered in the shade to allow speeches from organizers and community figures. Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Donna Massey, a Democrat representing District 6 on the Quorum Court, was the first to grab the bullhorn, quoting Lewis throughout her short address.

“What is ‘good trouble?’ Good trouble is when you’re standing up and fighting for what you believe in when you know that you’re being neglected,” Massey said, her words punctuated by a car horn. “Right now, in this country, we’re being overlooked.”

Several “Good Trouble” protests were also held in other parts of the state, including Fayetteville, Fort Smith and Jonesboro.

THURSDAY

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Mitchell Ferguson, with Luke Borchett, performs from 8-11:45 p.m. at Stickyz Rock ’n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave. Admission is $15. (501) 372-7707; stickyz.com.

◼️ Shattered Youth, One Big Game, Muzzleflash and Pitlock perform at 6 p.m. at Vino’s Brewpub, 923 W. Seventh St. Tickets are $12. (501) 375-8466; vinosbrewpub.com.

◼️ Mike Day and Q.G. the BlacKnight perform, with Kill-A-Flowz and Na’Tosha De’Von, at 8 p.m. for Day-N-Knight II Arkansas Hip Hop Night at White Water Tavern, 2500 W. Seventh St. Admission is $10. (501) 375-8400; whitewatertavern.com.

◼️ Sav, Raven Hinchey and Caroline Bowling perform at 6 p.m. at The Oyster Bar, 3003 W. Markham St. (501) 666-7100; lroysterbar.com.

◼️ Ben & Doug perform from 7-10 p.m. at WXYZ Bar in Aloft Hotel West, 707 Rahling Road. (501) 791-9999; wxyz-events.com.

◼️ Matt Harnish, as Googolplexia, Diana Benanti, KRONA, RIPTV and CRISCO KIDS perform at Pizza D’ Action, 2919 W. Markham St. Admission is $10. (501) 666-5403.

BENTON

Randall Shreve performs from 6-9 p.m. at Revival Restaurant + Beer Garden, 226 W. South St. (501) 317-1251; EatRevival.com.

CONWAY

Chris Baker performs at 8 p.m. at JJ’s Grill, 1010 Main St. (501) 336-0100; jjsgrill.com.

EL DORADO

Jordan Sheppard performs from 7-9 p.m. at MAD House 101, 101 E. Locust St. No cover. (870) 444-3008; madhouse101.com.

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Brock Price performs from 5-10:30 p.m. at The Blitzed Pig, 4330 Central Ave. (501) 525-1616.

◼️ Gavin Harper performs from 6-9 p.m. at J&S Italian Villa, 4332 Central Ave. (501) 525-1121; jandsitalian.com.

◼️ John Jordan performs at 9 p.m. at Copper Penny Pub, 711 Central Ave. (501) 622-2570; copper-penny-pub.com.

◼️ Allie & Patrick perform from 7-10 at The Ohio Club, 336 Central Ave. (501) 627-0702; theohioclub.com.

FRIDAY

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Mercy Chillers perform from 7-10 p.m. at Hibernia Irish Tavern, 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road. (501) 246-4340; hiberniairishtavern.com.

◼️ Death Metal Disco, with Tripwire, performs from 8-11:45 p.m. at Stickyz. Tickets are $8-$60.

◼️ Androids x Love and Numb Chunks perform from 7-11 p.m. at Vino’s.

◼️ Caitlin Dickerson performs at 9 p.m. at Dugan’s Pub, 401 E. Third St. (501) 244-0542; duganspublr.com.

◼️ Amber Violet performs at 6 p.m. at The Oyster Bar.

◼️ Jacob Flores performs from 7-10 p.m. at WXYZ Bar in Aloft Hotel West.

◼️ Brae Leni performs, with Ashton Hollowell, Jake Peterson, Stephen Colby, Eric Fells, Jae Danielle, Jordan Craighead and Isaac Helgestad, at 8:15 p.m. at Gigi’s Lounge, 1304 Main St. (501) 952-9312.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Katsu, Sonder Ponder and Sonic Fuzz perform at 8 p.m. at Birdie’s Cabaret Theater and Lounge, 301 Main St. Admission is $17.85. (501) 480-2121; birdiescabaret.com.

◼️ Boysterus performs at 9:30 p.m. at Four Quarter Bar, 415 Main St. Admission is $8. (501) 313-4704; fourquarterbar.com.

MAUMELLE

Brad Jamesly performs at 8:30 p.m. at Tavern Round the Bend, 26611 Arkansas 365. (501) 800-1123; tavernroundthebend.com.

BEE BRANCH

Mister Lucky performs at 7 p.m. at Rabbit Ridge Farms, 484 Rabbit Ridge. (501) 335-7777; rabbitridgefarm.com.

CONWAY

◼️ Townsend performs from 8:30-11:30 p.m. at Kings Live Music, 1017 Front St. (501) 205-8512; kingslivemusic.com.

◼️ J.L. Jones performs from 7-9 p.m. at Rogue Roundabout, 804 Chestnut St. (501) 358-6500; therogueroundabout.com.

◼️ Maximum Overdrive performs at 9 p.m. at JJ’s Grill.

◼️ Naturalist performs from 7-10:15 p.m. at Full Moon Records, 1104 Front St. Admission is $10. (501) 287-7452; thefullmoonrecords.com.

◼️ Code’ performs from 8-11 p.m. at Maly’s Entertainment Center, 1040 Maly Curve. No cover. (501) 459-3600; malysentertainmentconway.com.

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ The Steve Malek Band performs from 7-11 p.m. at The Blitzed Pig, 4330 Central Ave., Suite A. (501) 525-1616.

◼️ Quintron and Miss Pussycat perform from 9 p.m.-12 a.m. at Maxine’s Live, 700 Central Ave. (501) 321-0909; maxineslive.com.

◼️ The Parker Francis Band performs from 7:30-11:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, 239 Central Ave. (501) 623-7771; arlingtonhotel.com.

◼️ The Pamela Hopkins Band performs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Pop’s Lounge at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, 2705 Central Ave. (501) 623-4411; oaklawn.com.

◼️ Allie & Patrick perform from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at J&S Italian Villa, 4332 Central Ave. (501) 525-1121; jandsitalian.com.

◼️ Josh Stewart performs at 9 p.m. at Copper Penny Pub.

◼️ Heavy Suga & The Sweet Tones perform from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at The Ohio Club.

◼️ Brass Tacks perform at 8 p.m. at H20 Hawgs, 5590 Central Ave. (501) 463-4231.

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE

◼️ Liquid Kitty performs at 7 p.m. at Sand Trap Sports Bar, 4501 AR 7, Suite 6. (501) 226-0004.

◼️ Kenny Mann and The Danger Zone perform at 6-8 p.m. at El Jimador, 107 Desoto Center. (501) 915-8191.

MALVERN

Tennessee Jet performs, with Shawn Williams, at 7 p.m. at Bogey’s at the Malvern Country Club, 473 Clubhouse Lane. (501) 337-1482; bogeysllc.com.

MORRILTON

Sean Harrison performs from 7-9 p.m. at Point Remove Brewing Co., 102 S. Crestliner St. (501) 477-4080; pointremovebrewingcompany.com.

ROGERS

Jason Aldean performs, with Nate Smith, RaeLynn and Dee Jay Silver, at 7:30 p.m. at Walmart AMP, 5079 W. Northgate Road. Tickets are $77-$470. (479) 443-5600; amptickets.com.

SCOTT

The Backbeats perform from 6-8 p.m. at Scott Station, 2700 Bearskin Lake Road. (501) 961-1100; marlsgate.com.

TONTITOWN

Repo’d Trailers perform from 7-10 p.m. at The Tontitown Winery, 335 Barrington Road. (479) 361-8700; tontitownwinery.com.

VAN BUREN

Pearson Brothers perform at 7 p.m. at The Vault 1905 Sports Grill, 624 Main St. (479) 262-2468; thevault1905.com.

 

 

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SATURDAY

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ The latest Arkansas Sounds Songwriter Showcase will feature Americana-country-folk-rock radio host Amy Garland Angel and Delta blues rocker Charlotte Taylor, along with Emily Fenton, an indie-folk rocker formerly of Ithica, N.Y., and King Honey, also known as “Dazz” Murry of the band Daaz & Brie, 8 p.m. at Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave. Admission is $22.10 (including fees). (501) 320-5715; cals.org.

◼️ One Night Only performs a tribute to the Bee Gees, 7:30 p.m. Robinson Center Performance Hall, 426 W. Markham St. Tickets are $44-$103. (501) 244-8800; littlerock.com.

◼️ Kyle Mays, Isaac Alexander and Silas Carpenter perform at 8 p.m. at White Water Tavern. Admission is $10.

◼️ Jack Fancy performs at 9 p.m. at Dirty Worm, 8618 Arch St. (501) 413-5044.

◼️ Ship of Fools performs from 7-10 p.m. at Hibernia Irish Tavern.

◼️ Frank Foster performs at 8 p.m. at The Hall, 721 W. Ninth St. Tickets are $28.30-$53.02. (501) 406-1364; littlerockhall.com.

◼️ Phospherescent, with Rich Ruth, performs from 8-11:45 p.m. at the Rev Room, 300 President Clinton Ave. Admission is $30. (501) 823-0090; revroom.com.

◼️ Jeff Coleman performs at 3 p.m. and Bluesboy Jag & Lady Elaine perform at 6 p.m. at The Oyster Bar.

◼️ The Karla Case Band performs at 9 p.m. at Dugan’s Pub.

◼️ Corey Fontenot performs from 7-10 p.m. at Red Moon Tavern, 6015 Chenonceau Blvd. (501) 367-8188; theredmoontavern.com.

◼️ Leta Joyner performs from 7-10 p.m. at WXYZ Bar in Aloft Hotel West.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK

◼️ DeFrance perform from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. at Four Quarter Bar. Admission is $8.

◼️ Pig Sticker and Render perform at 7:30 p.m. at Birdies. Admission is $17.85.

◼️ Buh Jones performs at 9 p.m. at Ton’s Place, 18814 MacArthur Drive. (501) 851-9987.

BENTON

Can Shelton performs from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Revival Restaurant + Beer Garden.

CADDO VALLEY

Mike Mayberry & The Slow Hands perform at 8 p.m. at Betty’s Big Country Dance Hall, 102 Crystal Palace Drive. (702) 379-6632; bettysbigcountrydance.com.

CONWAY

◼️ Blackwater Bayou performs from 8:30-11:30 p.m. at Kings Live Music.

◼️ The Cam Davis Band performs from 8-11 p.m. at Maly’s. No cover.

◼️ Go for Gold, Tiny Towns, Salon Blonde, Diet Sweets, Ginger Giant, Voidrunner, Heldtght, I Dream of Cellophane and Kroze perform, 2-10:45 p.m. at Full Moon Records. Admission is $25.

EL DORADO

Trey Johnson performs from 7:30-9 p.m. at MAD House 101.

FAIRFIELD BAY

The Ozark Southern Band performs at 7 p.m. at Fairfield Bay Marina, 4350 Arkansas 330. (501) 884-6030.

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ Nick Flora performs from 7-10 p.m. at the Rooftop Bar at the Waters Hotel, 340 Central Ave. (501) 321-0001; thewatershs.com.

◼️ The Parker Francis Band performs from 7:30-11:30 p.m. at the Arlington Hotel.

◼️ Kasey Keys performs at 8 p.m. at the Frontier Club, 2700 Central Ave. (501) 620-4000.

◼️ Brass Tacks perform at 8 p.m. at H20 Hawgs.

◼️ Everclear, with POM, performs at 7 p.m. in Timberwood Amphitheater at Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, 1701 E. Grand Ave. (U.S. 70 East) Admission after 5 p.m. is $39.99 plus $7.99 fee. (501) 624-0100; magicsprings.com.

◼️ No One, with Subdue, performs from 9-11:55 p.m. at The Big Chill, 910 Higdon Ferry Road. (501) 624-5185; chillhotsprings.com.

◼️ The Pamela Hopkins Band performs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Pop’s Lounge at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

◼️ Brian Ramsey performs from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at J&S Italian Villa, 4332 Central Ave. (501) 525-1121; jandsitalian.com.

◼️ Heavy Suga & The Sweet Tones perform from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at The Ohio Club.

◼️ Unsigned performs at 8 p.m. at Copper Penny Pub.

◼️ Sean Harrison performs at 7:30 p.m. at The Heist, 723 Central Ave., Suite 200. (501) 547-9589; heist723.com.

LONSDALE

Kenny Mann & Danger Zone perform at 6 p.m. at Kara’s Packing Company, 23049 Arkansas 5. Free. (501) 939-2252.

MOUNTAIN VIEW

Dailey & Vincent perform, with the Music Roots Ensemble, at 7 p.m. at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Ave. Tickets are $40-$60 (870) 269-3851; OzarkFolkCenter.com.

MALVERN

The Filthy Heathens perform at 9 p.m. at Bogey’s. Admission is $17.85.

MOUNT IDA

Gravel Yard Bluegrass performs at 7 p.m. at the Front Porch Stage, on the square. Free admission. (870) 867-2761; thefrontporchstage.com.

SPRINGDALE

Jenna & The Soul Shakers perform from 7-10 p.m. at Tontitown Winery, 335 N. Barrington Road (479) 361-8700; tontitownwinery.com.

SUNDAY

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Eternal performs from 6-10 p.m. at Vino’s.

◼️ Gilbert Franklin performs for a record release event at 5 p.m. at White Water Tavern. Admission is $7.

MAUMELLE

Layne and Pat perform at 7:30 p.m. at Tavern Round the Bend.

HOT SPRINGS

◼️ The Stardust Big Band, featuring Kristen McCauley, performs at 3 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom of the Arlington Hotel, 239 Central Ave. Admission is $10; free for students K-12. (501) 623-7771; stardustband.net.

◼️ The Fabulous Fun City Chorus performs at 2:30 p.m. at the Garland County Library, 1427 Malvern Ave. (501) 623-4161; gclibrary.com.

◼️ Larry Womack performs from 6-9 p.m. at The Ohio Club.

MONDAY

LITTLE ROCK

Slaughter To Prevail performs at 9 p.m. at The Hall. Tickets are $58.69-$75.o6.

CONWAY

Jimmy Stengel performs at 7 p.m. at JJ’s Grill.

TUESDAY

LITTLE ROCK

Ballyhoo! performs, with Cydeways and Beach Fly, from 8-11:45 p.m. at the Rev Room. Admission is $20.

BENTONVILLE

Alabama Shakes performs, with opening acts Caleb Elliott and Alanna Royale, at 7 p.m. at The Momentary, 507 S.E. E St. Tickets are $65 general admission. (479) 367-7500; themomentary.org.

CONWAY

◼️ Modern August performs at 9 p.m. at Bears Den Pizza, 235 Farris Road. (501) 328-5556; bearsdenpizza.net.

◼️ Nick Flora performs at 8 p.m. at JJ’s Grill.

HOT SPRINGS

Jacob Flores performs from 6-9 p.m. at Guacamole’s, 1607 Albert Pike Road. (501) 623-2406.

WEDNESDAY

LITTLE ROCK

◼️ Anna Brinker performs at 7 p.m. at Southern Tail Brewery, 900 E. Ninth St. (501) 912-0980; southerntail.brewing.com.

◼️ Christine DeMeo performs from 7-10 p.m. at WXYZ Bar in Aloft Hotel West.

TICKETS

Alabama, with The Marshall Tucker Band, performs at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Simmons Bank Arena. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at simmonsbankarena.com, at which time prices are announced.