By ADAM ZAGORIA & SAM LANCE
Marcus Spears Jr., the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2027, announced for Texas on Thursday and will reclassify to 2026.
He also considered Arizona, LSU and Kentucky.
The 6-foot-9 Dynamic Prep forward is the son of former NFL defensive end and current ESPN analyst Marcus Spears, and the younger sister of Cari Spears, a member of the Texas women’s volleyball team.
“Texas basketball is becoming a big thing again, and I am excited to be part of it,” Spears told ESPN. “The Texas fans can expect a worker with a lot of energy. I will be trying to bring Texas a national championship.”
He told ZAGSBLOG last year: “Texas is a great place. My sister’s down there playing volleyball. So that’s really what I like about that. And then Texas, it’s Austin. Austin is just a great college city. It’s big. So I really like Texas.”
“Marcus Jr. grew up in Texas, and there’s nothing like playing for your home school and winning,” added his father. “I experienced that growing up in Louisiana at LSU. This is his decision and his future.”
Spears averaged 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds this spring on the Nike EYBL circuit and helped lead USA Basketball to a gold medal at the FIBA U16 Men’s AmeriCup in 2025, averaging a team-high 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds and earning All-Star Five honors.
Spears won’t be eligible for the NBA until 2028 since he’s 17. Until then, he will have two years under head coach Sean Miller.
“I got along with him, very well,” he told ESPN. “He showed me everything about the program and knew my game. He explained my position and explained his plan for me. He is laid back off the court, but on the court he will get into you and get the most out of me.”
ESPN’s Paul Biancardi weighed in on what Texas is getting in Spears.
“What will get him on the court right away is what he’s best at: defense and rebounding,” he told ZAGSBLOG.
“His offensive game has really improved over the last three to six months. He has shown an increased ability to make mid‑range jump shots and to be a capable threat from three. His passing, both out of the low post and when facing up, has also taken a noticeable step forward. As a 6’10”left handed big man with 7’2” wingspan has an excellent straight line drive game.
“He is particularly good at setting screens, short‑rolling after a ball screen, catching the ball at the foul line, and then making a smart decision.
“He won’t be drafted eligible until 2028. He could be a monster in his second season at Texas.”
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