2026 Rankings: Top Small Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With their freshman seasons over with and their AAU seasons started, it's time to update the 2026 class rankings. There are some super talented players at the top of the list and several others lower down the ranking that have massive long term potential. Here's a look at the updated top small forwards in Kentucky's Freshman class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558735"],"_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":"Meagher dopped down the rankings because he barely played and varsity time this season for Lexington Catholic. Strictly off of talent, Max is likely a top 10 or better kid in the class and should have opportunity to move back up this AAU season and see a much bigger role for the Knights next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644162e530919"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1558736"],"_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":"Eli has a bright future on the court and is already adding high major D1 interest on the football field. As a basketball prospect, Pietrowski is a really solid two way wing who can lock down on the defensive end. Much more of a driver than a shooter at this point, Eli is on track to be a top 2026 in the always competitive 13th region for the next few years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644162e53097e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543596"],"_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":"Like Meagher above, King tumbled down the rankings primarily because he didn't see the varsity court very often in his freshman season. Simon was a standout at our freshman camp back in the fall and should have ample opportunity to make an impact for the Eagles as a Sophomore thanks to his positional size and versatility.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644162e5309d1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1563827"],"_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":"Long and athletic, Geoffrey passes the eye test at the wing spot and will likely push for playing time next season for a Manual team that has a heavy veteran presence. It remains to be seen how skilled Njogu is because we just haven't seen enough of him at this point. He's a prospect that could move way up or down the rankings in the next update.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644162e530a22"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1901828"],"_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":"Hutchinson is a versatile two way wing who is on my list of sleepers in the class at this point. Capable of scoring the ball at a high level and playing solid defense on the other end, Zach is tracking as a likely scholarship level player down the line. As long as his motor is running hot, expect the 6'5 forward to turn some heads.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644162e530a70"} /-->