Players You Need To Watch: SD ’26 Ranks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rankings update happened early in the week. Today, we take a look at players that you need to see this winter. I have watched most of these guys multiple times and I really like what I have seen. Others I have watched briefly and I want to see more. Lastly, some of these guys I have never watched live, but I hear great things and we are predicting big things to come. With that said, take a look at ten 2026 ballers below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2048084,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/D3C6AA8C-F81E-437F-85B5-9CEA1BA9D642.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/D3C6AA8C-F81E-437F-85B5-9CEA1BA9D642.jpeg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2048084" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Players You Need To Watch</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1467165"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eWHY?u003c/strongu003e He is a mature, strong, and physical baller. I love his execution, cutting and passing. Gerdes is aggressive off the bounce and he has no trouble scoring/finishing through contact. Tate is explosive and he finishes above the rim in impressive fashion. He has the potential to be a lockdown defender and a horse on the glass. Gerdes has an extremely bright future in basketball. Tate is going to have a monster soph season and put up serious numbers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1959413"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eWHY? u003c/strongu003eI have never seen him play live but Wittler is marvelous on film. His skill level is astounding and he is a pure shooter. I have also talked to multiple coaches that brag him up to no end. Wesley averaged 19.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.7 spg, and 76 3FGM. Seventy six made 3's as a freshmen is beyond impressive and he shot a blazing hot 41.3%! Make sure you tune in this winter, PHD will certainly be watching the young Mr. Wittler!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1641210"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eWHY?u003c/strongu003e The Spartans are going to make some noise this year in B and a major reason for this is because of Mr. Graff. He is one of my favorite shooters in South Dakota. Parker reminds me of a zone-buster and he is a deadeye from deep. Graff is an opportunistic scorer, a dynamite producer in transition, and a natural athlete. Wessington Springs is young but scary. Graff has the talent to be All-State. I think every basketball fan would enjoy watching Parker hoop.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1548634"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eWHY?u003c/strongu003e The Tigers should be serious contenders to make the State Tournament. If they do, Johnson will be an important factor in that success. He is long but has the skill and smarts of a PG. Ryder will likely play as 3/4 this winter but he will still create and drop dimes. His court vision is beyond impressive. Johnson scores the rock from every level. He is also reliable and tough on defense. Ryder suffered an injury in football but will be back early season and will be ready to roll. PHD believes that Mr. Johnson will have a breakout year for the Tigers.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1548639"],"_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":"u003cstrongu003eWHY? u003c/strongu003eHunter is going to give opposing coaches a headache this winter. Isaak is young but he is long, skilled, and versatile. Hunter is a lefty and he can drill it from downtown. He is smooth in the catch-n-shoot game. He can get rid of it quickly but he never seems to be in a hurry. Isaak does serious damage around the hoop. He can also do productive work on the boards. PHD will not be surprised if Hunter averaged 20 ppg and 7 rpg this winter. Is he the real deal? We sure think so! Get the Rustlers on your watchlist for December.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1559131"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWHY?u003c/strongu003e The Cardinals are going to be one of the best in B and Hanson will be a key piece of the puzzle. Trimmier is an energetic and quick player. Hanson is a craftsman with the ball and he can break down the D with a number of moves. He plays selfless and is a top PG in B. Trimmier is also a fluid u0026amp; accurate shooter. He is a gym rat and a leader. PHD predicts that Hanson will have a high quality sophomore season.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1911440"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWHY?u003c/strongu003e He is a super star athlete. Dveyoun is physically strong and mobile, this allows him to be an effective post defender against bigger u0026amp; older players. He has solid post moves, Dveyoun's left shoulder jump-hook is extra-sweet. However, his balance and coordination allow him to score in a variety of ways. He is a beast on the offensive glass and Dveyoun is a game changer when dialed in. As his outside shooting and handles improve, Bonwell-Witte will be a scary player. This Lynx has a high ceiling!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1545639"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWHY? u003c/strongu003eAs basketball fans, we all know his last name and Walker lives up to that as a smart, clever, and heady player. Let's not forget, he is a winner! I know that DRSM is going to be great this coming season and I am interested to see what role the young Warwick will play. Walker certainly knows how to execute and he will do the little things to help his team. I imagine that his game will keep evolving and big things are to come for the young Mr. Warwick!","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1641567"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWHY? u003c/strongu003eI am interested to see what level he plays this winter for the Cavaliers. Eddie has talent, size, athleticism, and intrigue. He plays hard, gives full effort, and Whiting leaves it all on the court. Eddie is the opposite of a black hole, he shares the rock. Good things are on the horizon for Eddie.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1959433"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eWHY? u003c/strongu003eThe Panthers graduated a historic class and all they have done recently is win and hoist Championships. With all the seniors gone, will Anema get some varsity burn? Luke definitely has talent. Anema is a major threat from deep and I like his fluidity. He makes hitting shots look easy!","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65204cb8a51a6"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":1399487,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->