2026 Watchlist: A Deeper Dive (Part 2)
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In case you missed it, we released our initial 2026 watch list, a list of 50 players that will eventually expand to 250-300 over the course of their high school careers. This week, we’ll take a quick look at each…
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Continue ReadingIn case you missed it, we released our initial 2026 watch list, a list of 50 players that will eventually expand to 250-300 over the course of their high school careers. This week, we’ll take a quick look at each of the 50 players on this initial watch list, going through them alphabetically by last name. The initial 2026 rankings will be released sometime in the spring, after getting a chance to see more of these players in person on the grassroots circuit.
See the entire watchlist here: https://prephoops.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-2026-rankings/.
C Marach Dau Marach Dau 6'5" | C Ames | 2026 State IA (Ames)
A raw 6-5 big man with the ability to protect the rim and control the glass, Dau’s offensive game is a work in progress, but he has the blend of size, athleticism, and length that will make him an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on over the next three years.
PF AJ Evans AJ Evans 6'8" | PF Xavier | 2026 State IA (Xavier)
An athletic 6-4/6-5 forward with good hands, Evans is the lone freshman on Xavier’s sophomore team. He figures to be a big part of the Saints’ future.
SF Tristan Faille Tristan Faille 6'4" | SF Anamosa | 2026 State IA (Anamosa)
A 6-4 wing with good size and a pure stroke off the catch, Faille has emerged as a strong off-ball option for the Blue Raiders, routinely knocking down 3s with good off-ball movement and a quick release. He’s shooting 36% from behind the arc and averaging 6.7 points a game.
C William Gerdes William Gerdes 6'8" | PF Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA (Cedar Falls)
A 6-7 big man who has seen limited varsity minutes for the Tigers this year, Gerdes has been dominant on the Tigers’ sophomore team, showing the ability to score around the rim at an efficient clip, control the glass on both ends of the floor, and protect the paint defensively.
PG Jude Gibson Jude Gibson 6'0" | PG Ballard | 2026 State IA (Ballard)
Gibson will be one of the players in contention for the #1 spot in the rankings when they come out in the spring. A dynamic 6-0 guard who makes a major impact on both ends of the floor with his IQ, quickness, and talent, he’s averaging 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 steals a game. He has a great feel for the game, can score from all three levels, and does a great job using not only his speed but also his change of speed and direction to keep defenders off balance.
PG Brady Gogel Brady Gogel 6'1" | PG Monticello | 2026 State IA (Monticello)
A 5-11 point guard who sees the floor well and limits turnovers, Gogel is a key part of a strong 2026 class at Monticello. He’s a good on-ball defender who moves his feet well and can initiate the offense at a high level.
PG Max Griffin Max Griffin 6'2" | PG Mediapolis | 2026 State IA (Mediapolis)
The younger brother of former Wapello standout Maddox Griffin, Max has a bit more of a score-first mentality than his older brother did, but for a good reason – he’s a knockdown shooter with a pure lefty stroke and a quick release off the catch. He’s come off the bench this year for the Bulldogs, averaging 7.3 points a game and shooting 38% from behind the arc. As he continues to mature physically, he’ll turn into an impressive all-around scoring threat.
SF Cooper Grimm Cooper Grimm 6'3" | SF Center Point-Urbana | 2026 State IA (Center Point-Urbana)
A lanky 6-4 wing, Grimm has shown the ability to do a little bit of everything this year for the Stormin’ Pointers, averaging 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists a game. He handles it fairly well, sees the floor, and can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim for finishes. With his length, he also provides a little bit of versatility on the defensive end.
SF Cal Heydon Cal Heydon 6'4" | SF Coon Rapids-Bayard | 2026 State IA (Coon Rapids-Bayard)
Heydon has been incredibly impressive early in his career for the Crusaders, leading the team in scoring (18.6) and assists (2.9), while ranking second in rebounding (7.5). At 6-4, he has good size on the wing, is a solid playmaker who sees the floor well, and he can score from all three levels.
PG Cael Hogan Cael Hogan 5'8" | PG Southwest Valley | 2026 State IA (Southwest Valley)
Hogan, a 5-8 point guard, has been one of the top freshmen scorers in the state this season, leading the Timberwolves at 12.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.9 steals a game. He’s a quick guard who can get to the rim, get others involved, and he’s a good enough shooter that it needs to be respected.