Updated Class of 2026 Rankings Top Forwards/Posts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri released its newly updated Class of 2026 rankings last week. We conclude our positional breakdowns with a look at the top forwards and post players in the class. It is a very talented group with a diverse set of skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1983979,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Tristan-Reed.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Tristan-Reed.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1983979" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850526' first='Tristan' last='Reed'] (John Burroughs): The 6'8" power forward had a strong freshman season and followed up with a big summer while playing with the MoKan Elite 15U EYBL team. He is a force in the paint as a scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. He averaged seven points and six rebounds as a freshman while blocking 51 shots. He has received scholarship offers from Michigan, Mississippi State, Saint Louis and Kansas State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1871372,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Eddie-Smajic-II.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Eddie-Smajic-II.jpg?w=919" alt="" class="wp-image-1871372" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1790001' first='Eddie' last='Smajic'] (Vianney): The 6'5" small forward was one of the top scoring threats in the class. He can get a bucket from all three levels and he also has a post game to go along with it. He had a strong summer playing for the Gateway-Knights 15U team. He averaged 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and two assists and made 37 3-pointers last season. He recently received an offer from Saint Louis U.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1887394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/913119CC-4233-4C2B-B3AD-2DBB96B42B33.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/913119CC-4233-4C2B-B3AD-2DBB96B42B33.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1887394" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1789999' first='Tyseandean' last='Edwards'] (Cape Girardeau Central): The 6'6" combo forward was a big factor for the Tigers' team that won the SEMO Conference championship and a district title. he has excellent athleticism with 3-point range and the ability to swoop in for rebounds. He played with [program_tooltip program_id='2075324' first='Brad' last='Beal Elite'] 15Us in the Nike EYBL. He already has a Division I offer from SEMO.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1983972,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Jameson-White.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Jameson-White.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1983972" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'] (Chaminade): A 6'6" forward who had a very solid freshman campaign for the Red Devils. He can handle the ball and also stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting. He averaged five points and five rebounds a game. He played well this summer for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075324' first='Brad' last='Beal Elite'] 15U team. He already has offers from Saint Louis U. and SEMO.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1983977,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Sheek-Pearson.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Sheek-Pearson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1983977" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1557399' first='Sheek' last='Pearson'] (John Burroughs): The 6'9" forward is a skilled player with excellent length and mobility. He averaged seven points, five rebounds and blocked 21 shots as a freshman. He was very productive during the summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075324' first='Brad' last='Beal Elite'] 15U team. He already has an offer from Saint Louis U.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2123424,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_6618.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_6618.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2123424" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1850525' first='Symon' last='Ghai'] (Vianney): The 7'3" center is the tallest player in the class and he continues to make improvements with each game he plays. He's very mobile and he runs the court very well. He is most effective on defense with his shot blocking ability. He averaged seven points and six rebounds while blocking 43 shots last season. He played for the Gateway-Knights 15U team. He has offers from xx and Missouri State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1873552' first='Jahidi' last='White Jr']. (Chaminade): A 6'7" power forward who checks in at a robust 240 pounds. He has a nice blend of power and finesse in his game. He can play the physical game inside, but he also has an effective turn and face game with the ability to put the ball on the floor and hit the perimeter shot. He already has an early offer from Saint Louis U.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2119745,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_1329.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_1329.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2119745" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1872264' first='Oliver' last='Puljic'] (Summit): A 6'8" forward who has made big strides over the summer while playing up a year for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075283' first='Arsenal' last='Hoops'] 16Us. He's very mobile and had very good lift, which he used quite often when he was blocking shots and throwing down slam dunks on a regular basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1966999,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/John-Fleeman.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/John-Fleeman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1966999" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1790002' first='John' last='Fleeman'] (Kingsville): A 6'10" forward who is a hidden gem at a Class 1 school. He was very good during the summer while playing for the [program_tooltip program_id='2119127' first='Missouri' last='Hawks'] 15U team. He is a very skilled young big who uses his size well in the low post. He can also step out and hit perimeter shots while also delivering pinpoint passes to open cutter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2123414,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_5395.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/08/IMG_5395.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2123414" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1501486' first='Ben' last='Akoro'] (Principia): A 6'6" small forward who had a productive freshman year in helping a young Prin team to a berth in the Class 2 state championship game. He is a good athlete who creates well off the dribble and can score on slashing drives. He averaged 7.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists last season. He played for the Gateway-Knights 15U during the grassroots season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->