NCHSAA: Standout Stock Risers C/O ’26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NCHSAA had one of its most competitive seasons across all four classes. And that had a lot to do with the talented freshmen who took the hardwood for the first time. It's easy to overlook prospects in the class of 2026. But the raw talent, natural leadership, and untapped potential these guys showcased this year makes that impossible. With an offseason that is very much already underway, let's take a look at some of the standout stock risers in the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1281028"],"_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":"Jamyr u0022Juiceu0022 Coleman is one of the fastest-rising guards in the entire class of 2026. Coming off a developmental freshman year playing under locally treasured head coach Emmanuel Chapman at Enloe High School in Raleigh, N.C., Juice proved he's got what it takes to take command of this Enloe team. Coleman spent the majority of his freshman year backing up senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1731129' first='Darian' last='Chamblee'] and running the second unit for coach Chapman. Coleman excelled in his role starting off the bench and finishing on the floor last season. And it payed off. Coleman received his first Division 1 offer from the College of Charleston earlier this year. He is a level-headed, calm, and mature player who bought into his role and never lost confidence. And with two of Enloe's top scorers, [player_tooltip player_id='1731129' first='Darian' last='Chamblee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1731128' first='Fisayo' last='Adebimpe'] leaving the Eagles, expect Juice's confidence to soar. This is his offense this season.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eColeman is that dude. He's got confidence, just the right amount of swagger, and is a leader on the bench and the floor. One of the best ball handlers I've seen all season. Plays quick, not fast. Real explosive when breaking the press. In the half-court, he plays with just the right amount of patience. He knows when to attack and when to set up the offense. Mature style of play for only a freshman. Despite a smaller frame, he uses his body well to draw contact and get to the line. Has that dawg mentality that is channeled to take over games at the right time. He is a leader and prides himself on being an extension of his coach on every possession. Juice Coleman is the future of this Enloe program that has been on the come-up, and it's looking bright with number 1 running the point.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1907232"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1907232' first='AJ' last='Gillespie'] is an enticing combo guard/wing in the class of 2026 from Cummings High School in Burlington, N.C. At 6'4u0022, his length sets him apart. Gillespie is versatile on both ends of the floor and is one of the most complete players in his class. Last season was huge for AJ. His size and unique, all-around skillset provided some very much-needed production for this Cummings team. Gillespie averaged 13.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 spg, and 1.2 apg in his freshman campaign with the Cavaliers. He shot 51% from the field and 31% from three. Gillespie is a strong, tough, athletic kind of wing who can adjust his game to complement the four other guys sharing the floor with him. He is unselfish and epitomizes doing whatever it takes to win. Lock-down defender. Never afraid to compete down low and battle on the boards. Great out in transition. Crafty when driving downhill. While three-point shooting was a bit of a missing piece in his game, expect Gillespie to take advantage of grassroots play this summer to elevate his ability to knock down big-time shots from deep. [player_tooltip player_id='1907232' first='AJ' last='Gillespie'] is one of the most all-around complete prospects in the class of 2026 and is expected to make some serious noise this summer and this upcoming high school season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1608354"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1608354' first='Stephen' last='Beatty'] is an overlooked, underrated combo guard coming out of Eastern Alamance High School in Mebane, N.C. What stands out most about Beatty is his competitive nature. This kid is a warrior. He is the type of guy you'd want leading you into battle. Beatty is a defensive specialist. His six-foot frame allows him to match up with and lock down 1-3 on switches. Beatty is an exceptional defensive rebounder because of his natural athleticism and his unwavering determination to go up and get it. This guy prides himself on making the extra play on the defensive end of the floor. If a big presence on defense isn't convincing enough, Beatty is a gifted scorer who can create off the dribble. He thrives off screens and always makes the right play. Beatty is an elite ball handler who gives it up early to advance the play. Fully expect [player_tooltip player_id='1608354' first='Stephen' last='Beatty'] to have a standout sophomore season and rise his way into the class of 2026 official rankings.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1782147"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1782147' first='Caden' last='Ryker'] is an up-and-coming name to know in the class of 2026 from the North Carolina Leadership Academy. At 6'0u0022, this true point guard has the potential to be recruited by big-time coaches and programs in the years to come. Ryker is your timeless true point guard who plays a past-first type of game. He's got an excellent handle and an even better basketball I.Q. He knows his teammates inside and out and knows how and when to tuhem into scoring machines. With that being said, he can also put the ball in the basket himself. Ryker's got a smooth stroke that is a threat from anywhere on the floor. He thrives in the mid-range. Automatic from 15 feet out. He's a gifted defender because of his will to defend. He applies in-your-face, annoying on ball-defense that disrupts the opposing guards' flow. He's disciplined with his hands and feet and is mindful of his body to not give up fouls. Ryker is an all-around solid defender who gets after it on every play. [player_tooltip player_id='1782147' first='Caden' last='Ryker'] is a guy expected to elevate his game to the next level this summer running with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] this grassroots season. If Ryker can evolve into a consistent scoring threat without losing his true point guard sense of self, his stock is bound to rise and get the attention it deserves.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1837061"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1837061' first='Max' last='Skillman'] is a long, athletic name to know coming out of West Forsyth High School. The 6'3u0022 wing has a unique build and skillset that allows him to play 1-4. Skillman is one of the only real positionless prospects in his class. This gives him a huge leg-up. Skillman can take the ball up and run the point when his team needs a quick, easy 2 points. He can lay low in the corner and wait for the right time to hit a spot-up three. He can get down and dirty on the block and get to the line. Skillman is one of the most versatile offensive weapons I've seen this year. This also translates to defense. His size and length account for easy blocks and tips in the lane. He's an elite rim protector. Disciplined with his body and does a nice job of not letting drivers draw fouls. Skillman is a prospect who has a ton of untapped potential and will work this summer to polish some parts of his game that will make him an elite stock riser heading into this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6473898e51646"} /-->