Updated Class of 2026 Rankings – Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After watching a number of them play in high school during the 2022-23 season and then again in club ball this spring, we've made some changes to the Class of 2026 rankings. With this update, there are a whole bunch of newcomers to the rankings - including guys that weren't even previously on the watchlist. Here's a look at some of the top ones who jumped onto the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1951856' first='Jaxon' last='Lawson'] | PG | Canby | #4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We didn't know about Lawson going into the season but that quickly changed by the time the Capitol City Classic rolled around. He'd emerged as the starting point guard for the Cougars and by the end of the year, had become one of head coach Matt Taylor's go-to guys. He finished the season averaging 9.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787373' first='Jkobi' last='Nicholson'] | CG | Mountainside | #8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholson spent the majority of the year as one of Mountainside's top JV players and that earned him a promotion to swing varsity at season's end. In a game against Aloha, he played the entire fourth quarter in the blowout win and showed the ability to get to the basket, score, and pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687834' first='Andwele' last='Bridges'] | PG | Forest Grove | #13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bridges first caught our eye in fall workouts with his shooting stroke. That helped him earn a spot on the varsity squad at the start of the year and he quickly became a part of the regular rotation, averaging 5.3 points and shooting just under 37 percent from deep. Seeing him play AAU ball with Oregon Prospects 15U, it's clear his physical maturity has started to emerge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687840' first='Teagan' last='Scott'] | CG | South Salem | #19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott's future will be in baseball as he's already verbally committed to Oregon State. On the hardwood though he's a productive all-around guard and earned rotation minutes for a young Saxons squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687184' first='Jason' last='Hull'] | CG | South Wasco County | #21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hull burst onto the scene at 1A South Wasco County and was on his way to setting some state freshman season scoring records before injuries stopped his season. Especially dangerous in transition, he put up a state freshman single-game scoring record of 54 points against Lyle/Wishram.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671256' first='Tko' last='Westbrook'] | CG | South Salem | #23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Scott, Westbrook is an all-around performer who also garnered minutes in the Saxon rotation. The younger sibling of former Salem-area stars LJ and Evina Westrbrook, the guard's best basketball is still in front of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1787372' first='Ryder' last='Zanon'] | C | Central Catholic | #25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing for Catlin Gabel last season, Zanon got playing time as a freshman in the post where he utilized his big body, soft hands, and improving shooting touch. He'll now look to further develop at the 6A level with the Rams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1947058' first='Deryk' last='Farmer'] | SG | Cascade Christian | #27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farmer came off the bench for Cascade Christian's 3A title team and even averaged over 10 minutes a game at the state tournament. He's already got a mature body, is a good athlete, and has shown during AAU basketball that he's ready for an elevated role as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1662765' first='Quentin' last='Neal'] | CG | Benson | #31</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson had a number of freshmen playing varsity in 2022-23 and Neal was one we didn't have on the watchlist. He made an impression at the PrepHoops Top 250 Expo in the fall and then was able to score when called upon in limited minutes for the Techmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671255' first='Eddie' last='Szabatin'] | PF | Reynolds | #32</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Big men with potential are always intriguing and Szabatin fills that mold. He's a big body who can already rebound and defend the paint and has flashed the ability to develop a face-up game. He's getting valuable experience playing with Oregon Prospects 15U this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->