Prep Hoops Announces Players 6-10 of 2026
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Coming up with the Top Five players in the 2026 class was tough because there were a number of players who merited consideration. Particularly in this group of 6 through 10, there were some guys who were considered for the…
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Continue ReadingComing up with the Top Five players in the 2026 class was tough because there were a number of players who merited consideration. Particularly in this group of 6 through 10, there were some guys who were considered for the very top spots. We had to make some tough decisions, but this group will bear watching as they push to move up the list.
Here are the 6th through 10th ranked-players in the initial list for the Class of 2026:
#6 – Sebastian Hines-Turner Sebastian Hines-Turner 6'5" | C Wichita Collegiate | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-5 center, 2026, Wichita Collegiate
We knew this guy needed to be placed very high on the rankings due to the accolades he received as a freshman. The question was where to rank him in relation to his talented freshman teammates (who are ranked very high on this list as well!) Hines-Turner was by far the most highly decorated freshman in the state, earning second-team 3A from the KBCA, the Wichita Eagle and Sports in Kansas, and third-team from KSHSAA, so we gave him the nod here. His athleticism is already earning him attention as a football recruit, and he will be a multi-sport star for years to come. He is a long rim protector and defender and a beast on the glass with an instinct for getting to the ball. Depending on how much attention he gives to basketball, he can develop into a dominant big man.
#7 – DJ Jackson DJ Jackson 6'1" | PG Piper | 2026 State KS , 6-foot point guard, 2026, Piper:
Jackson showed he belonged from day one, scoring 16 points in his first varsity game and earning MVP of the Tonganoxie Tournament. He carried a lot of the ball-handling responsibility and was a leader for a young team. He earned second-team in the United Kansas Conference and got some all-state honorable mention recognition for posting 9 points, 3 boards and 2 assists as a ninth grader. His leadership will be important for a Piper team that returns a lot of talent.
#8 – Drake DeBaun Drake DeBaun 6'6" | PF Shawnee Mission South | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-5 power forward, 2026, Shawnee Mission South:
A big man who really impressed this summer after a strong freshman season, Debaun is an active, high-energy defender who causes quite a few turnovers in the passing lane and by slapping balls away in the lane. He blocks shots in the paint and in transition too. Offensively, he has a nice stroke from deep and can put the ball on the deck to get to shots with either hand around the goal. He’s a sharp passer too. He was a solid contributor to a good varsity team as a freshman.
#9 – Keimani Paul Keimani Paul 6'5" | PF Topeka West | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-5 power forward, 2026, Topeka West (pictured):
Not only did Paul step into a varsity role early in his freshman season, he wound up carrying a pretty heavy weight as the season played out. Paul finished with 7 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, but by season’s end he was a go-to guy on the offensive end. Defensively, he has the length, athleticism and instincts to be a top shot blocker and disruptive force. He is a quick, springy, coordinated athlete who is developing a more all-around skill set. He may have started the season primarily as a defender and rebounder, but he grew into much more as the season played out.
#10 – Amare (AJ) Batiste Amare (AJ) Batiste 6'2" | CG Wichita Collegiate | 2026 State KS , 6-foot-2 combo guard, 2026, Wichita Collegiate:
Batiste was a playmaking stud for state-bound Collegiate as a freshman. He can create a ton of shots on the bounce, with his combination of athleticism, size and nice handle. He has the total package of a guard who can run the show, get the ball to teammates or create his own shot. Of the exciting young players at Collegiate, Batiste might be the most skilled and versatile.