BREAKING NEWS: No. 1 Player in America Commits to Texas Longhorns — A Game-Changing Move Over Kentucky, BYU, and Michigan…………
May 3, 2025 | Austin, TX – NCAA Basketball Insider
In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, the nation’s No. 1 ranked high school player, Jeremiah “J.J.” Wallace, has officially committed to the Texas Longhorns, choosing the rising Big 12 power over storied programs including Kentucky, BYU, and Michigan.
The 6-foot-8, 215-pound small forward from Sierra Canyon School in California made his announcement on Saturday afternoon during a nationally televised segment on ESPN, followed by a post that instantly went viral on social media. Wallace’s commitment is already being hailed as a program-defining moment for head coach Rodney Terry and the Longhorns.
> “Texas is where my heart is. It’s where I believe I can grow as a player, as a man, and as a future pro,” Wallace said. “I love the culture, the coaching staff, and the vision they have for me. I’m not just coming to play. I’m coming to win.”
A RARE TALENT WITH NBA WRITTEN ALL OVER HIM
Wallace is considered by nearly every major recruiting outlet to be the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2025 class. A dominant two-way player, Wallace boasts a 7-foot wingspan, a lightning-quick first step, elite court vision, and an above-the-rim athleticism that has drawn comparisons to a young Paul George.
During his junior season, Wallace averaged 27.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.3 steals per game while leading Sierra Canyon to a state title and earning National Player of the Year honors. NBA scouts have already identified him as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
> “Wallace is that rare player who can control every aspect of the game,” said ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. “He has superstar written all over him. Texas didn’t just land a great player — they landed a future NBA franchise centerpiece.”
WHY TEXAS? THE VISIT THAT SEALED IT
While Kentucky was long considered the favorite, Wallace’s official visit to Austin in April shifted the momentum. According to sources close to the family, Wallace was blown away by the facilities, the city, and the personal attention he received from the coaching staff.
Head coach Rodney Terry and his assistants presented a customized plan focused on Wallace’s development, preparing him both for immediate college success and the demands of the NBA.
> “Coach Terry talked to me like a mentor, not just a recruiter,” Wallace said. “He didn’t promise me the world. He promised me the truth and the work. That meant everything.”
The commitment also speaks volumes about Texas’s growing stature as a premier basketball destination, bolstered by recent deep NCAA Tournament runs and a modern, player-first culture that has resonated with top talent.
A PROGRAM ON THE RISE
Wallace’s commitment caps off what is shaping up to be one of the top recruiting classes in the country. With 5-star shooting guard Tyler Brinson already on board and several elite transfers rumored to be eyeing Texas, the Longhorns are poised for a major leap on the national stage.
> “We are building something special in Austin,” Coach Terry said in a statement. “Jeremiah is the type of player who elevates everyone around him. He’s not only a game-changer — he’s a culture-changer.”
Fans flooded social media within moments of the announcement, using hashtags like #JJ2Texas and #HookEmDynasty, expressing jubilation over landing a player many view as the best high school talent in over a decade.
THE NEXT CHAPTER BEGINS IN AUSTIN
Wallace will suit up in burnt orange in the fall of 2025, and expectations couldn’t be higher. With his unique blend of size, skill, and star power, he enters college basketball as the most anticipated recruit since Zion Williamson — and he’ll be doing it at Texas.
> “This is just the beginning,” Wallace said. “I’m ready to bring titles to Texas. Let’s make history.”
Indeed, with the No. 1 player in America now headed to Austin, the Longhorns just changed the college basketball narrative — and possibly the future of the sport itself.
