Top Small Forwards for the 2026 Class
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With the new season just around the corner, it’s time for players for this class to take the next leap in their games this year. At the small forward position, we see so many great and talented players out of…
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Continue ReadingWith the new season just around the corner, it’s time for players for this class to take the next leap in their games this year. At the small forward position, we see so many great and talented players out of this position with this class having lots of those players. Here are my top small forwards for the 2026 class.
Williams is a 3-and-D small forward who can play and guard multiple positions throughout a game. He has an excellent three-point shot that he likes to get up in a hurry. At 6’7″ with a high release, it can be difficult for defenders to get a hand on him. Williams will look to come off of off-ball screens whenever he can so he can get catch-and-shoot opportunities from deep. On defense, he can guard almost anyone you put him on and uses his athleticism to get some impressive blocks on taller players.
Grandison is a player who plays more like a big man with how dominant he is in the paint. He has great post moves he likes to go to when backing down players near the basket. He has a soft touch around the rim with an effective pump fake he uses to get defenders in the air. Grandison can step back behind the arc and knock down the three with full confidence. On defense, he does a great job of contesting inside shots in the paint.
Harris is a quick guard who knows how to play under control but also knows when to turn on that aggressive playstyle. He has a strong upper body that he uses to body his way around in the paint but also allows him to muscle his way past weaker defenders on the perimeter. Harris has a smooth jump shot with a high and quick release. Contests do very little to his shooting motion and he can challenge multiple defenders at the rim with zero hesitation. He works the midrange game well using screens and dive-cutting teammates going to the rim.
Mgbako is a very impressive player and has the potential to become the best small forward in his class this year based on his multitude of skills. He has tight and crafty handles that he uses to create space on his shots and to get to any spot on the court. He is a terrific shooter from deep with as clean of a jump shot as it gets. He has an array of moves at his disposal and will look to break them out more often than not if he has a one-on-one situation. I fully see Mgbako having his breakout season this year because his skillset is just waiting to explode.
Avent is a player who can be effective on the court even without the basketball in his hands. At 6’6″ with a strong build, Avent can disrupt other teams using his physical strengths. With the ball in his hands, he can get into the paint at will and can do some crafty moves around the rim to get those points. He is always cutting to the basket leaving him with wide-open dunks most of the time. He can shoot the three-ball well and will only get better the more he shoots from that distance. Avent is also able to show off his underrated vision always looking for open teammates.