Newcomers in the Class of 2026 PrepHoopsTN Rankings (East TN)
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PICTURED: De’avion Lovelace De’avion Lovelace 5'8" | PG Cleveland | 2026 State TN May 17th, 2023, the Class of 2026 rankings enjoyed a freshening. Scour the additions. Only players residing in east Tennessee are featured herein. Cade Murphy TN #8…
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Continue ReadingPICTURED: De’avion Lovelace De’avion Lovelace 5'8" | PG Cleveland | 2026 State TN
May 17th, 2023, the Class of 2026 rankings enjoyed a freshening. Scour the additions. Only players residing in east Tennessee are featured herein.
Cade Murphy Cade Murphy 6'5" | SG Knoxville Catholic | 2026 State TN is a classic two-guard. His impact in a freshman year, for a power program in Knoxville Catholic at that, was incredible. For parents, players, and familiars his impact might not have surprised considering Cade’s size and nimbleness. Still, Cade was a dynamic player in a squad both filled with talent and eager to replace Blue Cain (transfer). Cade debuts at #5! His game reminds of Cade Capps Cade Capps 6'5" | SG Stone Memorial | 2025 State #210 Nation TN , a touch, in that he is a good shooter with the kind of height that will age very, very well. It is easy to imagine Cade playing college basketball on the wing at 6-foot-5. A difference between ’25 Capps as a freshman and ’26 Murphy as a freshman is the handle. Murphy is the better dribbler and slasher than Capps was then. Capps was the better outside shooter. They both already had the height but needed the years of physical maturity to get up to “college speed”. These are small grievances to be sure. Both are wonderful prospects with glaring talent.
Highlights
Trey Thompson Trey Thompson 6'8" | PF Greeneville | 2026 State TN earned a D1 offer back in the winter, the first for any ’26 player in the entire state. That offer, from East Tennessee State University, did lapse, as ETSU fired the basketball staff who extended it to Thompson. Still, Thompson is a clearly dynamic talent. Greeneville High sent Ja’Kobi Gillespie to D1, and TT is likely next from the former State Champions.
De’avion Lovelace De’avion Lovelace 5'8" | PG Cleveland | 2026 State TN was an All-Star at the PrepHoopsTN jv Camp in February, thus his inclusion here. Lovelace thrives in the halfcourt. Very, very speedy. Lovelace is small by high school guard standards. He makes good decisions with the basketball. Handle is better than the average high school freshman for sure.
De’Andre Turnbow De’Andre Turnbow 5'11" | PG Chattanooga Prep | 2026 State TN was excellent in the Chattanooga Prep push towards the TSSAA Class AA State Tournament. Turnbow is the most well-rounded of the Chattanooga Prep players at this early stage. Remember the program is new, and almost everybody on the team was a freshman or sophomore, meaning many game minutes were available. Turnbow took advantage. Can score in a variety of ways.
TJ Irvine TJ Irvine 5'7" | SG Blackman | 2026 State TN made a spark at Bluff City Blues as May opened. Irvine is a bull of a guard though he needs to really attack the skill development. He probably plays multiple sports, based upon on his athleticism and toughness.
Highlights
Jack Ferraris Jack Ferraris 6'3" | SG Bearden | 2026 State TN is a fun player to watch. The skill is better than average and he gets great competition within his own school. Bearden junior varsity players are a different breed than most programs statewide. It takes true talent and grit to get a foot in that prestigious door.
Joel Bullis Joel Bullis 6'4" | PF Chattanooga Prep | 2026 State TN is raw, very raw. He needs to develop his shooting touch quite a bit. The ranking spawns from his height and modest bounce.