Highly Coveted 2026 Adonis Ratliff Talks Recruitment
BY ZACH SMART
With the exception of his twin brother Darius Ratliff, few 2026 recruits across the country underwent a seismic role increase and subsequent national stock ascension as Stepinac’s 7-foot forward Adonis Ratliff did during the 2024-25 campaign.
The Ratliff twins played sparingly as a callow sophomores, a role in which they seldomly provided backup minutes.
Fast forward a year.
Adonis Ratliff catalyzed the 2025 CHSAA “AA” city champions as an interior defensive stonewall and a focal point during a breakout junior season.
Possessing a Pterodactyl-like wingspan, a delicate perimeter touch which he extends beyond NBA 3-point range, and deceptive, vertically explosive athleticism, Ratliff’s wide ranging game has garnered national credibility.
The rising senior turned in a handful of games of seven blocks or more, steering the driving lanes clear.
Adonis Ratliff simultaneously shouldered the responsibility of big shot maker.
This much was evident as he stuck four 3-pointers during the Crusaders’ pulsating 73-72 come from behind victory over cross-city conference foe Cardinal Hayes HS in January.
Ratliff’s tape measure 3-pointer with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter was the go-ahead bucket, closing another chapter in this storied NY Catholic Schools rivalry.
He finished with 18 points, 11 boards, six assists and four steals on the night.
With his twin, the equally multi-talented Darius, relegated to the role of spectator due to a late season leg injury, Ratliff erupted.
“I really was playing more of a guard role, I completely changed my role, after (Darius) got hurt, I was really doing a bit of everything,” Adonis said.
He turned in a game-best 11 blocks and tore down 14 rebounds during Stepinac’s 69-67 PSAL vs CHSAA New York championship victory over Thomas Jefferson HS.
Stepinac put its foot on Jefferson’s necks early, albeit they nearly frittered away a 19-point cushion.
The Crusaders would ultimately withstand the 4A power’s late rally, winning the last game of a season etched in program lore.
Prior to this, as Stepinac became the third active team in the historic CHSAA to win three consecutive city titles, Adonis Ratliff turned in nine points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks.Stepinac stormed back from a six-point deficit with 58.5 seconds remaining in regulation against formidable foe St. Raymond’s HS.
Poised, highly recruited 2026 guard Jasiah Jervis (offers from Florida, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Illinois, Villanova, Tennessee, Maryland, Stanford, Texas, Wake Forest, Oregon, NC State, Michigan, Wake Forest, Northwestern, Rutgers, St. Bonaventure and others) splashed a straight on 3-pointer and 6-foot-7 ’26 forward Dylan Perry turned in a traditional three-point play to force overtime.
The shooting of Jervis, who scored 17 points, as well as poised play from 2026 wing Hassan Koureissi, who scored 13 points to go with eight rebounds, helped propel Stepinac to a memorable 63-61 title game victory.
“We just had to face adversity, we hadn’t faced too much adversity throughout the season and post season,” said Ratliff, harkening back on one of the most dramatic city title games in recent memory.
“We knew (adversity) was going to come up at some point and test us. That was our moment to answer it.”
During an off-season in which several Stepinac players have ascended the high major market, Adonis Ratliff has garnered offers from the likes of Louisville, Alabama, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Texas, and others.
Alabama, Texas, and Louisville have been in most active pursuit of Ratliff, as he explained.
He’s been speaking with coaches from Michigan, Maryland and reigning 2025 national champions, Florida, as of late.
“Michigan State has shown a bit of interest, but I haven’t gotten to speak with them enough” Ratliff said.
“I want to get to know more about Florida. I plan on going on some visits, but nothing has been set up yet. A lot of programs are coming (to Stepinac) soon. We have open gyms in September. I will probably go take a few visits in September and the fall.”
It certainly doesn’t take a basketball savant to witness the issues the Ratliff twins pose for foes on both sides of the floor together.
“It is difficult for opponents to score when we are both playing, because of our size and ability to protect the rim,” Ratliff explained.
“Sometimes the opponents even have to change their game plan by shooting more floaters, making adjustments like that.”
Will the twins prolong their careers together at the same college?
“It really just depends on whichever situation is best for us,” Adonis said.
“It’s not a situation where it has to be both of us packaged together. But hey, it is certainly not a bad thing if schools do recruit us both.”
Part of the PSA Cardinals, making the game a livelihood and a 12-month focus has been instrumental in Adonis Ratliff’s growth.
“Adonis is one of the most skilled offensive players in the ’26 class,” said PSA founder and head honcho Terrance “Munch” Williams.
“His ability to make shots not just from three, but mid range and at the basket, make him special on that side of the basketball. Add in the fact that blocking shots is something he specializes in, while rebounding at a double digit clip and you have someone that will be ready to contribute from day one in college.”
At Stepinac, Ratliff said, the mindset of grinding to constantly better every day resonated.
He recalls his sophomore year, touching on how hard then senior point guard and 2024 McDonald’s All American Boogie Fland (now at Florida) and then high scoring senior forward Braylan Ritvo (now at Quinnipiac University) would push everyone at practice.
Featuring a deep, star spangled senior class fortified by proven, weathered experience, the forthcoming push for an unprecedented four straight city titles in four years has reverberated throughout the Stepinac community.
“Adonis made tremendous strides in his game,” Stepinac coach Pat Massaroni said.
“He went from playing a majority around the perimeter to battling inside and out.He became an elite rim protector and defensive player. He became tougher as the year went on.”
With Darius Ratliff returning with a clean bill of health, Stepinac will once again be the hunted and a national power.
“Anytime you have a 7-foot-1 skilled player back on the court, your team drastically improves,” Massaroni said.
“He’s a dominant player and it shows, being ranked Top-60 in the country.”
Adonis Ratliff broke down several of the programs he’s been hearing from lately:
Texas: “It is a good environment and a good coaching staff out there. I’ve spoken with coach (Sean) Miller.
I’ve talked to coach Adam (Cohen). We’re just developing relationships.
They’ve expressed that they kind of want to be a wing forward type who can guard the 2-5. Switch under defenders. Play in the mid post. Shoot threes.”
Alabama: “They want me to play like someone who can bring the ball up. They like me shooting threes and layups. They envision me as someone similar to what Grant Nelson was this past year. Bring the ball up. Block shots. Guard the 1-5. As a program they are big on analytics, which is cool.”
Louisville: “They have a five out style of offense, so they like guys who can stretch the floor out and play-make.
They have a good family atmosphere out there. They can use me in a variety of ways. I’ve spoken with (head coach) Pat Kelsey on the phone. There’s a connection there. Coach Kelsey actually played with my father (former NBA veteran Theo Ratliff) in college. They were at Wyoming together.”
Michigan: “They really just told me that they want to use me in similar style of how they used (versatile 7-footer and Brooklyn Nets rookie) Danny Wolf…A big who can facilitate, make decisions, shoot the ball. They also want to use me as a big rim protector.
They have spoken to me about how they were able to use Wolf and (7-foot-1 Miami Heat rookie) Vlad Goldin together, and how myself and Darius could be similar in their system. I spoke with coach (Mike) Boynton, he has some big ties to the New York area.”
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