Reason for the Ranking: Top 65!

Andrew Force December 31, 2023 @ 07:30 PM

We introduce our updated Class of 2026 rankings!! Rankings are subjective and PrepHoops.com ranks purely upon potential and where the player will be at their basketball peak. Production factors in only when helping prove the potential is greater or lesser. Why did we rank these guys? Why are they at this spot? Take a look at five Class of 2026 prospects and learn a little about their reputation. Peruse the complete 2026 rankings.

#61 Grady Keeton Grady Keeton 6'1" | SG Oneida | 2026 State TN (Oneida)

Volume scorer. Oneida is enjoying a strong season thanks to Grady and his brothers.

Grady is putting up 15.8 ppg with 5.2 rpg.

He also plays soccer for Oneida.

#62 Kolby Jones Kolby Jones 6'2" | SG Unicoi County | 2026 State TN (Unicoi County)

A sophomore quarterback, Kolby earned R1-3A Underclassman of the Year by the coaches. Kolby and fellow sophomore Jackson Simmons Jackson Simmons 5'11" | PG Unicoi County | 2026 State TN are lighting up the district on the basketball side too.

Kolby is averaging 17.8 ppg and 4.7 rpg. At 6-foot-2, Jones is a jacked guard with a willingness to bump and bang.

Kolby is shooting 79% from the free throw line and enters 2024 with 57 made three-pointers to his credit.

#63 Jaxon Burdine Jaxon Burdine 6'1" | PG Hardin County | 2026 State TN (Hardin County)

Solid catch-and-shoot guy. Burdine was featured as a "top player" by The Jackson Sun in the fall after a couple of solid games. Burdine moves well off of the ball to get open looks.

#64 Josh Whitt Josh Whitt 5'11" | PG Lancaster Christian Academy | 2026 State TN (Lancaster Christian Academy)

In February, Whitt earned PrepHoopsTN Jv Camp All-Star.

In April, Josh Whitt Josh Whitt 5'11" | PG Lancaster Christian Academy | 2026 State TN earned Music City Madness All-Tournament 15u Team.

Improving his quickness from good to great will help his eventual recruitment.

Whitt can defend two positions in high school. He is enjoying a breakout season, putting up 23.1 points per game. Few sophomores nationwide are putting up bigger numbers.

Josh Whitt - Class of 2026
First 11 Games of Sophomore Season
8-3 Record, 23.3 PPG@theBRIGADEway @PrepHoopsTN @AndrewForce8 pic.x.com/OEoGXARekm
— Whitt Kids (@WhittKids217) December 23, 2023

#65 Owen McClaran Owen McClaran 5'11" | PG Eagleville | 2026 State TN (Eagleville)

Younger brother of Ryley McClaran.

McClaran is another solid, productive, team-first kind of guard. At 5-11, he can score, pass, and push the basketball in transition. McClaran, at No. 44, doesn't have to score in double figures every game to have an impact. He's unselfish and plays any role he's asked to play. McClaran just wants to win.

Courtney Smith eval May 2023