2026 Rankings: 21-25 Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops SoCal staff put its collective heads together to come up with the initial class of 2026 rankings which includes 55 ranked players and 40-plus more on the watchlist for the next update. In this piece we break down the prospects from 21 through 25 and why they fell where they did in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 21 [player_tooltip player_id='1956523' first='Justice' last='Griffith'], Corona Centennial</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffith was the one class of 2026 players who got significant playing time for Corona Centennial and it's because he possesses the physical tools and defensive IQ to guard on the varsity level. The 6-foot combo guard is a great ball-pressure defender who can speed up opposing guards and take teams out of their offense and create turnovers. Offensively, Griffith is an strong and athletic finisher in transition or on downhill drives to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 22 [player_tooltip player_id='1956509' first='DeLan' last='Grant'], Heritage Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grant is another well-built 2026 prospect who held his own from a physical standpoint while playing a high level schedule during his freshman season. The 6-foot-2 combo guard is best when driving, absorbing contact and finishing at the rim but also has the ability to stretch the floor off the catch from three-point range. Grant should see his role increase on both sides of the floor this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 23, [player_tooltip player_id='2131782' first='James' last='Croy'], Riverside Poly</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Croy is combination of your prototypical coaches son and a confident scoring guard with good feel for the game. The 6-foot-3 combo guard plays with great energy and basketball IQ, can knock down open threes and mid-range jumpers off the dribble but is also a capable creator for teammates and gives great effort on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 24 [player_tooltip player_id='2131783' first='Antwain' last='Johnson'], Pacifica Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson will take over the reins of the point guard position after backing up one of the region's top signal callers last season in Parker Strauss - now at Northwestern. Johnson is a smooth lefty who plays with good pace and is a high IQ decision-maker in open court and half-court settings. As he continues to get minutes at a high level his game should continue to trend upwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">No. 25 [player_tooltip player_id='1956468' first='Jayden' last='Gray'], Victory Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray was a highly productive guard in San Diego last season because of his willingness to play physically and with a high motor on both ends of the floor. Gray was best as a downhill driver, slasher and finisher in the open court and his combination of speed and strength kept opposing defenses on its heels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->