Midwest Fall League: 2026 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midwest Basketball Club Fall League has a lot of talent and we've already mentioned the 2024 and 2025 standouts from Saturday's action, in this article we'll break down some 2026 standouts I caught.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1708701"],"_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":"A prospect I've been high on for a while, Smith is one of the highest upside prospects in the 2026 class in Ohio. Smith did a good job using his length to score at the rim and continues to improve athletically. Extended range as a shooter, Smith can knock down shots a few feet behind the 3-point line already. For Smith to reach his ceiling, continued work in the weight room and development with his handle will allow him to take that next step. High major programs are already monitoring Smith and he already holds a pair of Division I offers from Bryant and Ohio.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1472002"],"_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":"A teammate with Smith on Midwest's 15 U 3SSB team, Lightning made the move to Ohio and will be a nice addition to Hilliard Bradley. Lightning is a modern forward with the ability to stretch out and attack a closeout, using his strength in the paint. Developmentally, Lightning is working on his conditioning and trying to improve in this aspect. Being able to play hard for longer stretches will allow Lightning to stay on the floor longer and be more productive at the end of games. Another area where Lightning provides value is as a shooter, a guy you can't leave open from the outside, Lightning hit a couple 3-pointers throughout the day and most importantly has the confidence to make shots.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2215883"],"_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":"A new name, Ediger came down from Ashland and has been making a lot of noise this Fall. Capable of taking over a game when he gets hot from the outside, few players can match his microwave ability from beyond the arc. A quick processor with the ball in his hands, Ediger does a good job of getting the ball to his open teammates on time to get easy shots. Maybe my favorite thing about his game is his competitiveness on the defensive end, taking a charge both weeks I've watched him in this fall league. It'll be interesting to see the jump Ediger makes from his freshman to sophomore season at an Ashland program that's developed a handful guards to the college level over the past few years.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2204430"],"_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":"Upper Arlington has a lot of 2026 talent in this fall league. We've already broke down [player_tooltip player_id='1708701' first='Alex' last='Smith'] and Henry forms a nice guard combo with fellow 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2231922' first='Michael' last='Moloney'] in this league. Henry showed good tempo as a ball handler, making plays off the bounce by switching speeds and showing patience with the ball in his hands. In his second game of the day he caught fire from 3-point range with back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers. As a driver, Henry also did a good job extending at the rim to avoid shot blockers. One area of improvement for Henry would be taking the easy shots that come and not forcing the issue. I think getting valuable reps at the varsity level this year will be huge for his development and Henry will be a much more confident player at this time next year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2205099"],"_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":"The highlight of the day was a drive and slam dunk by Russell that had the gym going crazy. A bouncy guard who is best in transition, this was a half-court drive and punch at the rim. Scoring at the rim was where Russell found his most success on Saturday as he provides an athletic spark. Delaware Hayes is projected to be one of the top teams in Columbus this winter and Russell provides a different level of pop as an athlete from the guard position then they've had in the past.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65144e90dcdbe"} /-->