2026 Rankings: Names To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The much anticipated 2026 rankings are here, and here are some names you need to know…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1702405,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jay-Green-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jay-Green-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1702405" width="256" height="256" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knight Eady Knight Eady</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958553' first='Jay' last='Green'] </strong>(6'0/PG/'26/Thompson HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: bamajay8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @iam_jaygren8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jay got a lot of varsity minutes this year, and as expected, he had his ups and downs at the lead guard spot. Some have said that he struggled due to the style of play, but one thing that you often get from a freshman playing varsity is inconsistency. He is still learning the position, but his talent cannot be denied. He is a playmaker off the bounce and did a good job balancing scoring and facilitating. He is at his best when he has the freedom to create with the rock in his hands. He already has a level of physicality in his game that will continue to increase and be a factor that defenders will have to deal with for years to come. With a solid off-season, look for Jay to have a better sophomore campaign, as he will be a lot more comfortable in the system and should have a little more freedom to do what he thrives in. He comes in as the #7-ranked player in his class.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958492' first='Jeremiah' last='Williams'] </strong>(5'11/PG/'26/Shades Valley HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Jeremiah.07</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Curl2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">A case can be made for Jeremiah that he is one of the, if not the best 3-pt shooter in his class. He is small in stature, but he plays extremely tough at the lead guard spot. Like many of the guys in this class that got minutes on the varsity level, they had to find the balance of scoring and facilitating, and often facilitating is what is required more. Jeremiah found himself in a system that gave him a little more freedom to look for his scoring opportunities, and he took advantage by showing his ability to be a multi-level scorer. He battled through some injuries, but as of the release of this article, he is back at 100% and taking advantage of the spring platforms. He comes in as the #8-ranked player in his class.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958808' first='Jaylen' last='Alexander'] </strong>(6'1/PG/'26/Oxford HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: j3ylen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @256Jaylen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaylen is a dynamic backcourt player that keeps you on the edge of your seat when the ball is in his hands. He is an up-tempo guard who can score the rock. He is a crafty and reliable ball-handler who understands how to get his as well as how to set the table for his teammates. At times during the season, he gave defending guards fits in iso situations. He's got great tools to work with and is still developing as a floor general. Look for an increase in volume shooting as JA enters his sophomore campaign. Looking down at the potential roster, he will have to provide more production across the board. The offense will be his to control and the tempo his to set, and from my vantage point, be prepared for his stock to make some jumps. He comes in as the #10-ranked player in his class.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1709370,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jeremy-Chatman-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jeremy-Chatman-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1709370" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958751' first='Jeremy' last='Chatman'] </strong>(6'1/SG/'26/Center Point HS)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iss._chat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Jchat.10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jeremy put up huge numbers during his freshman campaign and made clutch plays throughout the year in some big games. One thing you can bank on when it comes to Jeremy is that he is a scorer. He is on a young team and was looked upon to put up numbers. He had some impressive games going for huge numbers, and as the saying goes, he is a walking bucket. He is at his best when the ball is in his hands, and he is looking for his shot. As he progresses thru his high school career, he will have to show himself to be more than a scorer, and there are some inconsistencies that he will need to improve and turn into strengths. One thing is for sure: we can continue looking for JC to be a prolific scorer. He comes in as the #11-ranked player in his class.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1882314,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/PH-Earnest-Alexander-IV.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/PH-Earnest-Alexander-IV.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1882314" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958556' first='Earnest' last='Alexander'], IV. </strong>(6'2/SG/'26/Hoover HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: ayooquad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @QuadVlone</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Earnest finds himself in the #14-ranked spot, and even though he hasn't got varsity play, it has been his play at several camps that I have seen him at that bolstered his profile. He is a young guy with ok positional size that can score the rock, and he is aggressive off the bounce and finds ways to score. Earnest brings a lot of energy to the floor, and his desire to go make hustle plays has separated him at every camp that I have seen him at. His progression as a two-way force is continuing to grow, and his relentless competitive play sets him apart from many in his class. It will be interesting to see what he can bring to a team that returns a lot that won the state championship last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1882313,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/PH-Tyler-Holifield-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/PH-Tyler-Holifield-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1882313" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958555' first='Tyler' last='Holifield']</strong> (5'9/CG/'26/Pinson Valley HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iamtyler2x_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Worldwidetylerr</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tyler, like Earnest in this article, hasn't stepped onto the varsity level yet, but he has made his impact at several camps where I have seen him. He is a young guard with a very good skillset, and we probably won't get to see his impact on the varsity level until his junior year as he is in a program that is loaded with dynamic guard play. On over 90% of teams in the state, Tyler would be on varsity, getting good minutes, and contributing. He is a skilled combo guard that can orchestrate and score when needed. He has a good IQ and a brilliant floor game. He has vision and high-level passing ability. The question right now is his size, but what cannot be questioned is the fact that he is a gifted and talented guard. He comes in as the #18-ranked player in his class.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->