2026 Rankings: Top Face Up Bigs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 26 class is solid and already has several players holding D1 offers when they're only halfway through their freshman seasons. Here's a breakdown of the top face up bigs and stretch 4s in the class. This does not include players who are in the top ten of the class overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558733"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Davidson was a big mover in this update as he appears to be close to 100% healthy again and is starting to make an impact at the varsity level. Reece is still getting his explosion and lateral movement back after a meniscus tear slowed him down this summer. Long term, Reece has a high ceiling as a stretch 4 who could end up 6'8 or taller and has a good looking jumper with a smooth release.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63acb4d13ddd1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558746"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Bender slips down the rankings because he's not getting varsity PT at Ballard after a late transfer from DeSales in November. Jordan could eventually be a big wing if his skills keep improving. Look for him to make more of an impact during spring AAU and start moving back up the list.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63acb4d13de29"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Kendall has been scoring the ball at a high level for a few years now and shows no signs of slowing down. Averaging 20 points per game this season, Phillips is shooting nearly 60% from the field and over 40% from three. On track for a huge high school career, Kendall is likely to end up more of a 3 than a stretch 4 over the course of the next few years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63acb4d13de8a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1472002"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gavin is a big body who plays more like a traditional post right now but his size lends itself to being more of a 4 man in the future. Lightning has shown the ability to face up and attack off the dribble when he's given the space. Definitely a player to watch in the 4th region, Gavin could see his stock take off as he gets more confident in his skills and starts to get a little more athletic.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63acb4d13ded0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543640"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A player whose name you can file away for the future, Ethan was a strong performer at our Freshman showcase this fall and should be an impact player down the line for St. X. For now, he's just waiting his turn and could see a stock boost this upcoming AAU season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63acb4d13df16"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1485712' first='Cayon' last='Gaines'], Western</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1543611' first='Keith' last='Braziel'], Male</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->