Class 2026 Prospect Rankings – Six Stock-Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Monday evening we released our updated <a href="https://prephoops.com/indiana/rankings/2026-rankings/">Prep Hoops Indiana Class of 2026 Prospect Rankings</a>. The rankings expanded to a Top 50 and our Watch List has now reached over 200 additional names that deserve attention and recognition. Throughout the week we will continue to breakdown the rankings further with stock-risers, new names, regional rankings, positional rankings, and much more. Let's begin by taking a look at six of the prospects that made the biggest jumps in this rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561090"],"_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":"I've had the opportunity to see this Valparaiso High School prospect on back-to-back weekends between Super Hoops and the Charlie Hughes Showcase and he really stood out to me both times. Avery is an intriguing long-term prospect in the backcourt with serious straight line quickness, skill off of the bounce, and length on the defensive end of the floor. He was on our Watch List already, but now the 6'1u0022 guard debuts at #40 in the updated Class of 2026 rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1561440"],"_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":"This athletic 6'1u0022 guard had a great freshman season at New Haven averaging 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He then had a great spring with Indy Heat Red 2026 as one of their primary backcourt pieces. Hammel has some really dynamic playmaking ability off of the bounce with quickness in the open floor, shifty change of direction, and good passing ability. Does a great job of getting to his spots off of the dribble and finish at the rim or in the intermediate range.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1561023"],"_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":"L'homme was a standout on the Fishers junior varsity squad as a freshman and will now suit up for a young, talented Lawrence Central squad. He is a dynamic ball handler with good length in the backcourt and good all-around scoring chops. The 6'0u0022 guard can really shoot from beyond the arc and has the shiftiness to create his own shot on the perimeter. Look for him to really come into his own this coming season for the Bears.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1560951"],"_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":"This 6'4u0022 skilled wing from Heritage Hills High School continues to showcase some really intriguing offensive tools and long-term potential. Prior handles the ball very well on the perimeter, can initiate offense with his playmaking ability, and can really get going from beyond the arc. He will be out in Rock Hill, South Carolina this weekend at the 3SSB Championship with Midwest Basketball Club 2026. Looking forward to seeing him play more.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1561513"],"_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":"There is no denying the upside of this 6'7u0022 wing and that launched him all the way up to #5 in the updated Prep Hoops Indiana Class of 2026 Prospect Rankings. Smith is a smooth perimeter threat with great size, intriguing playmaking ability, and a good jump shot. He got some valuable experience as a freshman at Plainfield and should be ready to take on a much larger roll coming off of a strong spring and summer with Grand Park Premier UAA. The blend of size, skill, and athleticism is what makes him a Top 5 prospect in the class.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1561030"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Wells is one of three Top 15 prospects in the Class of 2026 rankings now joining his teammates [player_tooltip player_id='1728587' first='Luke' last='Ertel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1561435' first='Julien' last='Smith']. While Ertel and Smith gained a lot of the press clippings as freshmen while leading Mt. Vernon (Fortville) in scoring, the 6'4u0022 Wells had a strong season of his own averaging 4.8 points per game. He parlayed that valuable experience into a good spring and summer with Meanstreets 2026 on the EYBL Circuit and an excellent showing at the IBCA Top 100 Showcase. It wouldn't be shocking to see Wells climb even further before it is all said and done.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649b19101312f"} /-->