2026 Rankings Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These sophomores have been super impressive thus far into the season and show no reason why they won't stop climbing the rankings. A lot of these guys are some of the top players on their teams, and even the ones who aren't play a critical role for their squads. Take a look at some of the top risers in this update to the 2026 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1863251"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 15u003c/emu003ernrnMcGriff is a huge part of what Emerald Ridge does and has really started to take off this season. He's a big, athletic wing whose handle has progressed to allow him to score and attack from just about any spot on the floor and his athleticism is tough to match at the rim. He's also a kid who can bury some threes, has shown he can work with his back to the basket, and he can rise to the challenge against top teams. He's made some great highlight plays on the defensive end too and shown some high potential this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1863195"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 26u003c/emu003ernrnWhitaker is a smart player who attacks defenses with patience and great vision. He doesn't often look flustered under pressure and almost always seem on balance when attacking the hoop. He's poured in at least three 30-point games already this season and is a guard who can light it up from 3-point as he showed against Bellevue when he broke the school record by sinking 10 threes in the game. He has Liberty at the top of the KingCo right now at 7-3 on the year.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2021380"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 40u003c/emu003ernrnThe West Seattle guard has some really intriguing potential as a tall scoring guard. He's 6-foot-5 and already shows the shooting and strength that allows him to get his shot off under tight defense. He was one of the top performers earlier in the year at the Top 250 Expo and showed how he can takeover with his comfort shooting with minimal space. He's also a kid who uses his body well at the rim and with his size he can take contact and still get his shot up and in.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2173096"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 37u003c/emu003ernrnThe sophomore guard has been off to a hot start with Sammamish, averaging 18.3 points 3.6 rebounds 3.3 assists and 2.7 steals. He's a super quick guard who has a lot of moves in his bag and can create space on the perimeter to either shoot or get to the rim. He has the ability to explode for big games like his 39-point effort against Highline earlier this season while shooting 17-24 from the field. He's a kid who shows no fear on the court and is definitely one to watch in the 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2021624"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 66u003c/emu003ernrnAnother tough kid in the 2026 class, Hennig has been ready to compete this season and put in some solid minutes for the 5-1 Mt Si Wildcats. He doesn't try to do too much while he's out there but adds another threat when the ball swings his way as a guy who can shoot pretty well from outside but also use some of his length to finish over defenders in the paint. He's a high-effort player on defense too and has fit really well into the Wildcats unit this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1863255"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 56u003c/emu003ernrnGreene is a big football recruit but has also shown promise on the hardwood with some nice footwork and tough finishing ability inside. He's strong enough to get and hold low position and doesn't seem easily bothered by contact or tight contests at the rim. He fights for extra rebounds on the offensive glass and even shows some promise to incorporate open shots behind the arc. He's been ready to play in big moments and can be a big part of the offense at times with his reliability down low.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1863243"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 55u003c/emu003ernrnNewsome is an exciting player stepping up this year for Prairie who brings intelligence in the backcourt, hot shooting, and toughness defensively to make some momentum shifting plays. In every game of his I've watched he has moments where he strings together three or four big 3-pointers and has shown he can let it go from deep behind the line. He brings a lot of energy to their lineup on both sides of the floor and has Prairie looking pretty tough so far this the year.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1863246"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 79u003c/emu003ernrnMorningstar is another Falcon beginning to emerge in their sophomore season. He's gotten noticeably stronger and plays much bigger inside this year. He seems to understand the importance of getting into strong positions, creating space for entry passes, and often makes the right decision when facing double teams in the post. His finishing still needs some work, but he's shown good improvement there and is a really promising forward who could keep rising if he continues to show this level of progress through the year.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["2021608"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 63u003c/emu003ernrnDaniel is a name that keeps popping up on news clips for Evergreen games with consistent scoring. He's a lethal shooter from 3-point and looks to have an easy stroke from deep range. He can play both guard spots but looks better at the point with his ability to create on the go. He has light feet, is really reactive, and has great patience and feel when attacking with the ball. He's also a tough defender and plays a big role for the 6-5 Plainsmen.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["2021630"],"_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":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 70u003c/emu003ernrnThe Kamiakin forward is a strong kid down low who can play solid basketball on both ends. He can matchup against bigger guys and gets good leverage on both ends, has quick moves and uses his shoulders well to create space for shots. But what really stands out is his effort. He's a worker on both sides of the ball who continues to steadily improve.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["2021623"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"u003cemu003ePrevious Rank: 74u003c/emu003ernrnChristiansen has already popped off for some nice scoring games and he looks like a kid who has more in store. He does a great job creating space on the perimeter, has a good rhythm with the dribble and has the control to get defenders leaning back. He's a good shooter too and when he gets going from outside, can really pile up the long-range shots. He does a good job getting shots in the paint off quick and overall doesn't seem to play loose with the ball, avoiding turnovers and bad passes.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658f77eaa6ad0"} /-->