Four-star 2026 forward Aidan Chronister joins Jason Crowe Jr. and Toni Bryant in Missouri’s No.1-ranked 2026 recruiting class. The 6-foot-7-inch, 180-pound wing is ranked the composite No. 93 overall player and No. 35 overall small forward in his class. Missouri basketball will go through roster changes between now and next year, but Chronister does project to be an impact player for the Tigers.
Chronister is attending The New School in Fayetteville, Arkansas for his senior season after spending his junior season at Sunrise Christian Academy. In his junior year, Chronister averaged 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Chronister’s numbers may not be eye-popping, but adding the context that he was playing a role on a team filled with other top-end recruits helps put his stats into perspective.
On offense, Chronister is a sniper. He has a clean, quick shot with a high release that he can get off at any time. Chronister does the majority of his work off-ball, despite not being the best off-ball mover. His slim frame makes it difficult for him to work defenders into screens, and it often gets him pushed off spots.
With that said, Chronister fills space efficiently, especially in transition. He has the ability to hit spot-up and movement shots well beyond the 3-point line, making him a threat the second he steps past half-court.
With the ball, Chronister isn’t as enticing. He does a good job at attacking closeouts, getting to his spots quickly and making the right pass, but his overall playmaking feel is limited. Chronister does a good job at protecting his dribble, but a lack of elite instincts prevent him from being an impactful secondary ball handler.
Defensively, Chronister isn’t great, but he has shown flashes. Chronister possesses the ideal length of a wing defender, but as of now, he is better fit guarding forwards. Chronister’s lack of footspeed and mobility make it very difficult for him to stay in front of ball handlers. His slim frame makes it easy for ball handlers to bump him out of the way.
Chronister also has his fair share of flaws from a technical standpoint. He is often too upright when guarding in space, making it hard for him to react to sudden movements. He also tends to be handsy with drivers when he is beat off the bounce, leading to some cheap fouls. With that said, all hope is not lost for Chronister on defense. He uses his knowledge for spacing on offense to properly position himself off the ball on defense.
Another thing that stands out when evaluating Chronister as a defender is the passion and intensity he plays with. He is willing to guard anyone and will battle with whoever, making it far easier to see the vision with him as a defender.
Overall, Chronister is a good player. His ability to space the floor and attack closeouts will complement the skill set of more ball-dominant players. He has previously proven capable of finding a niche and fitting into a smaller role. Predicting future roles and evaluating incoming talent this far in advance is inherently challenging, but Aidan Chronister is poised to make a significant impact for the Tigers.