2026 Watchlist: A Deeper Dive (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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 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.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>See the entire watchlist here: <a href="https://prephoops.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-2026-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://prephoops.com/iowa/rankings/iowa-2026-rankings/</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id='1765524' first='Evan' last='Jacobson'] (Waukee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacobson is one of the highest-upside players in the class, a bouncy 6-8 forward who can protect the rim, control the glass, stretch the floor, and finish above the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1765525' first='Jack' last='Jensen-Fitzpatrick'] (Iowa City West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The son of Iowa women's assistant coach Jan Jensen, Jack is a high IQ guard with good footwork and a pure stroke. He moves well without the ball in his hands and is a solid secondary playmaker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1765517' first='Tino' last='Daye Jr'] (Johnston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick guard who uses his speed to put pressure on opposing teams on both ends of the floor, Daye has good court vision and is a strong ball-handler. He moves his feet well on the defensive end and has quick hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1765526' first='Carter' last='Kleinwolterink'] (Boyden-Hull)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets lost a ton of production from last year's team, and Kleinwolterink has stepped in and filled a major void, leading the team at 12.4 points to go with 4.3 rebounds on 42-39-70 shooting splits. He's a good athlete with the ability to score from all three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='1765527' first='Julian' last='Manson'] (Iowa City West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic wing with a good feel for the game, Manson is having a strong freshman season for one of the preeminent programs in 4A, averaging 9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists a game. He's a long, athletic player who does most of his damage around the bucket right now, but he has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and create looks for himself and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id='1558745' first='Sam' last='Mbingazo'] (City)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic 6-10 big man oozing with potential, Mbingazo moved to Iowa City before the start of the school year and has a chance to become one of the most highly recruited players the state has seen if he continues on his upward trajectory. He has tremendous size, is a good athlete, and is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1765532' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] (Des Moines North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also one of the top 2026 football prospects in the state, McGregory is a dynamic athlete who can do a little bit of everything on the hardwood, averaging 13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.9 steals a game for the Polar Bears. He handles it well, uses his athleticism to compete on the glass, and as a quarterback, you know he sees the floor well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PG [player_tooltip player_id='1765533' first='Brady' last='Meadows'] (Central DeWitt)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meadows is tiny at 5-6, but he's quick and sees the floor really well despite his small stature. He's a pass-first point guard who loves to get others involved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SG [player_tooltip player_id='1765555' first='Drake' last='Medinger'] (Senior)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong combo guard who can score from all three levels or create plays for his teammates, Medinger is a physical player who doesn't shy away from contact. He figures to be a huge part of a strong 2026 Senior class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SF [player_tooltip player_id='1765534' first='Brayson' last='Mulder'] (MMCRU)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 6-3 wing who leads the Royals in scoring (12.1 points) and is second in rebounding (6.4), Mulder has been a strong all-around offensive weapon for a young MMCRU team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->