In a stunning twist on the summer recruiting trail, one of the top national basketball prospects in the 2025 class has flipped his commitment to the Texas Longhorns, stunning over 10 powerhouse programs and shaking up the national recruiting landscape.
Jayden Rivers, a 6-foot-8, five-star forward from Montverde Academy in Florida, had previously committed to Michigan State in early spring. But after taking an unexpected official visit to Austin in late June, Rivers decommitted and announced his commitment to Texas during a live stream on social media, donning a burnt orange cap and declaring, “I’m home.”
The decision comes after months of speculation and fierce competition from elite programs such as Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, UConn, Alabama, Arkansas, UCLA, Arizona, Baylor, and Miami. Ultimately, Texas’s mix of high-level development, NBA visibility, and coaching staff connection helped the Longhorns seal the deal.
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⭐ Who is Jayden Rivers?
Jayden Rivers is considered one of the most versatile and explosive prospects in the 2025 cycle. Ranked No. 4 nationally by 247Sports Composite and the No. 1 power forward in the country, Rivers has been on the radar of elite programs since his freshman year. His rare combination of size, skill, and athleticism makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses.
Rivers averaged 19.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game during his junior season at Montverde, leading his team to the national championship game and earning All-American honors.
> “Jayden is a special talent,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi. “He plays with an edge, can defend multiple positions, and he thrives in up-tempo systems. His ceiling is incredibly high.”
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🔄 The Flip Heard Around the Nation
Rivers’ original commitment to Michigan State in March was seen as a major win for Tom Izzo, who had built strong ties with the Rivers family over a two-year recruitment. But Texas re-entered the picture in early June, inviting Rivers to their elite summer camp and showcasing their development system under head coach Rodney Terry.
Rivers, who had previously ruled out a visit to Texas, changed course and made a surprise trip to Austin with his family—sparking speculation of a possible flip. Just two weeks later, he decommitted from Michigan State and began trending toward Texas on major recruiting prediction models.
> “Texas just felt different,” Rivers said. “Coach Terry believes in me. He didn’t promise the world—he promised work, trust, and development. That’s what I wanted.”
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🧠 Why Texas Won
While traditional blue bloods like Duke and Kentucky pushed hard for Rivers, Texas quietly positioned itself as a program that blends winning culture, player development, and NBA readiness.
Since Rodney Terry took over the program, Texas has become increasingly competitive on the recruiting trail. In 2023, the Longhorns landed five-star Ron Holland (before he opted to go pro), and now in 2025, they’ve secured one of the biggest flips of the year in Rivers.
Terry and his staff reportedly emphasized the following during Rivers’ recruitment:
Positionless development: A plan to use Rivers across the 3–5 positions, maximizing his versatility.
NBA readiness: A track record of recent NBA success stories, including Jarrett Allen and Mo Bamba.
Immediate impact: A projected starting role as a freshman, with the offense partially built around his skill set.
Family atmosphere: A focus on mentorship, team unity, and personal growth.
> “We’re building something special in Austin,” Coach Terry said. “Jayden is the kind of player who makes everyone better. He’s got the game, the mentality, and the hunger.”
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🏀 Recruiting Class Impact
With Rivers now leading the charge, Texas’s 2025 recruiting class skyrockets into the top 3 nationally. He joins four-star point guard Trey Holloway and sharp-shooting wing Marcus Reid, creating one of the most balanced and dangerous trios in the class.
The commitment also sends a strong signal to future recruits: Texas is no longer a “nice option”—it’s a destination.
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🤯 A Blow to the Blue Bloods
Rivers’ flip is more than a recruiting win for Texas—it’s a major loss for several powerhouse programs. Kentucky and Duke both believed they were in the running late in the cycle, while Kansas had been pushing hard since the start of the year.
Michigan State, in particular, takes a tough hit. Tom Izzo rarely loses a five-star commitment, and Rivers’ decommitment marks one of the more surprising exits of Izzo’s tenure.
> “This is a statement commitment by Texas,” said 247Sports’ Travis Branham. “To go into a battle with over 10 blue bloods and pull a top-5 guy out is a huge flex for that staff.”
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🔮 What’s Next for Rivers?
Jayden Rivers plans to finish his senior season at Montverde with a national championship in his sights. He also intends to compete with Team USA’s U18 squad later this year and will enroll early at Texas in the summer of 2025.
He’s widely expected to be a one-and-done player with a likely lottery pick projection, assuming he continues to develop and stay healthy.
> “I’m going to Texas to win,” Rivers said. “Everything else—NBA, draft, endorsements—that comes later. Right now, I’m focused on making history with the Longhorns.”
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🧡 Final Thoughts
Jayden Rivers’ commitment flip to Texas is one of the defining moments of the 2025 recruiting cycle. It’s a sign of Texas’s rising influence on the national stage and the evolving dynamics in college basketball recruiting.
For Longhorn fans, it’s more than just a five-star addition—it’s a glimpse into a future where Texas isn’t just competing with the best… they are the best.