Closer look — Real Deal 2026 Playmakers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the fall high school basketball season in full swing, PH scout Drew Johnson is taking a closer look at some of the notable risers in the PH rankings. These players have shown significant improvement over the summer/fall periods and are making big impacts on the court this season. For this list, take a look at some impressive 2026 stars that could play big-time D1 ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2134650"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe 6-2 combo guard product is for sure the real deal as he's shown early in his high school campaign. Joseph is an electric and athletic guard that plays with explosiveness when needed but also has the vision to create and find his teammates. He can light it up from the field with his versatile skill sets that include a solid jumper and acrobatic finishes near the rim. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1640847"],"_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":"u003cbu003e2023 stats:u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e 22.4 PPG - 9.4 rebounds - 3.3 assits - 2.2 stealsu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJones was instantly put on my radar after watching him perform a few times last season where he led Bell Creek in multiple categories. Jones has only turned things up a notch as he's starting to get more media attention with impressive performances. He's a do-it-all type athlete that's mainly a scoring threat at the next level but is still developing his overall game and growing into his body. Has really good upside and will be one of the premier college-ready prospects in the Tampa area in years to come.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1660048"],"_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":"u003cbu003e2023 stats:u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e19.7 PPG - 5.0 rebounds - 1.5 stealsu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis kid has developed into a rising star since first getting eyes on him last season. I knew right away he was the real deal. He's only progressed his overall game while picking up a few big-time Division I offers. He has incredible upside with a good frame that he uses to torture opposing defenses. Led his team in points during his freshman season while leading the Lakers to the state championship game. Don't be surprised if their right back in it with Bass being a playmaking star.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1658584"],"_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":"u003cbu003e2023 statsu003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e: 20.6 PPG - 11.2 rebounds - 8.3 blocksu003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eBryant is a premier two-way player that can be both a scoring and defensive threat because of his size and natural instincts on the hardwood. Just look at the numbers (led the state in rebounds for C/O 2026), this is a real deal 2026 prospect that will be a productive piece at the next level. Bryant is a reliable finisher at the rim while being a rim protector on the other side of the floor. College coaches have to get eyes on him Now before it's too late. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1660037"],"_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":"u003cbu003e2023 stats: u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e16.1 ppg - 3.5 rebounds - 2.2 assists u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePiggot Jr. was effective as a freshman while showing off his good athleticism and explosiveness which translated well to the offseason AAU periods. He's handled an even bigger role this season playing with SLAM Tampa this fall where Piggot has provided good scoring production and solid defensive output. He's a fearless finisher at the rim with posterizer ability and quick twitch to finish over larger defenders.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1659512"],"_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":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis kid u003c/spanu003eu003cbu003eIan Parhamu003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e Jr u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ehas the potential to be a top guard on the board in 2026 from the state of Florida. Has a few small offers at the moment but is guaranteed to see an uptick with more game film. The 6-6 two-way combo guard has all the physical tools combined with impressive scoring skills to land on a Division 1 roster. Plenty of the time for this kid to develop even more but a must-look for college coaches looking for rising young talent. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659c54156194e"} /-->