2026 Player Rankings: Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 166 players, there is bound to be some new talent that was eventually going to be discovered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were 22 new players and here are some of the standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here are 8 newcomers from the last two months:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2045282' first='Landon' last='Jones'] <strong>Ironwood</strong> <strong>(Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long and lean scoring guard has one of the prettier jumpers in the class. He has an ultra quick shooting release and he is very consistent with it. His three point shot was clicking during Section-7 and went 7/10 from the stripe. He uses his size and length in the passing lanes and he will be one of their floor spacers of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2039507' first='Maleek' last='Simeus'] <strong>Chandler</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger scoring guard is a tough cover. He has some athleticism combined with a stronger frame and skill. He gets downhill well with his gifts and scores thru contact. He can shoot the three and from mid-range. He will rebound and defend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1938807' first='Makenzie' last='Lazor'] <strong>Casteel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A true face-up power forward can score from inside and out. He has a nice looking jumper from the three point line and will work inside to score. He rebounds the ball well but is a top notch shot blocker. He springs up and times the ball well to swat it away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1950115' first='Alex' last='Taylor'] <strong>Desert Vista</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long wing forward who moves well from end to end. He can score it from all three levels with the catch three and can get to the basket with long strides. His defense makes him the prospect he is with defending from inside and out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1950100' first='London' last='Haskell'] <strong>Mesa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top shot blockers in the 2026 class. The power forward moves really well in space and gets off the floor very quickly to alter and block the attempt. He rebounds well with a big motor and will score around the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1950101' first='Kai' last='Sharpe'] <strong>Mesa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long defensive minded wing. He is a transition scorer who can euro to the rim but can also shoot it from mid to the three point line. His length, active hands and quick feet allow him to play the passing lanes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1956209' first='Ruben' last='White'] <strong>Maricopa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger framed post player with good hands and feet. He cleans the glass, runs the floor and is actually moving better than a year ago per his coach. He will score with his back to the basket and uses his big hands and physicality to control the glass and is hard to move in the trenches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1956212' first='Ben' last='Aronson'] <strong>Salpointe Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A scoring point guard with a big IQ and high skill level. He can make plays for others and is tough defensively but he will score it the next three years. He shoots it from the three point line off the catch and can get the defenders off of him with a nice handle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->