Top Post Players in the 2026 Top 50

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Post players are always at a premium, whether it be for high school programs or college ones. While the role of a post player has changed drastically over the last 20 years, they are still highly valued and coveted as recruits. WV boasts a nice group of post players that are making big contributions not only in their travel/AAU programs but also in their high school programs as well and have done enough to get on our radar at this early stage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1851878"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1851878' first='Noah' last='Lewis'] has been mentioned already in our top ten piece, but we can't do a top posts article without including him.  Lewis is undoubtedly the top post player due to his play last year in school season as well as throughout AAU season where he put up big numbers in points and boards.  Lewis is also a more than solid defender in the paint which combined with his offensive skills, landed him a D1 offer before he started his sophomore year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2164534"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2164534' first='Waylon' last='Colistra'] popped on our radar during AAU season last spring/summer, in a battle with one of the other top 50 2026's and leaving us more than impressed.  Colistra has a strong inside game and steps out beyond the arc and drains shots with the utmost consistency.  He has the muscle to compete inside and great feet that allow him to defend in that area as well.  Playing for defending champ Morgantown he won't be depended on to contribute right away but by February we'd be surprised if he isn't a significant contributor.  Colistra certainly has a next level body and skill set and we'll keep track of his coming interest and offers.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2211908"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2211908' first='Isaac' last='Hodges'] who we've mentioned on our weekly highlight articles is one of the more interesting post guys because he doesn't always look like a post player because there's long stretches in games where he simply doesn't post.  But however he does know how to get the ball in the post or out and is one of the best mid-range shooters in WV we believe, in any class.  Hodges who started as a freshman and led his team in scoring many times has stepped up his assertiveness and become a complete matchup problem for coaches planning to spar against him.  The recognition of where and how to score he possesses is rare, especially at his age.  No offers as of yet that we know of but we do know there are several schools that have him on their future watch lists.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2303391"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":2312586,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2303391' first='Chet' last='Gore'] is one that we'll include in the post player list but possibly won't keep his post player status past this year.  Gore has great guard and face up skills and could easily play on the wing and use his size to shoot over smaller defenders but as of now he's gonna be used as a post type player and be counted on for that kind of production.  Interesting to see where Gore develops into in the coming years.  Safe to say any kid with Gore's size and skill set will get college attention, see no reason why his interest would be any different.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2243496"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":2312591,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2243496' first='Zayden' last='Neely'] is another kid who has a full skill set facing the basket but is relied on heavily to produce as a post player due to his size at a young age and Neely doesn't disappoint.  Over the course of the summer AAU season Neely improved his game quite a bit and was able to step into a big role for the Princeton High School program and add great size and skill to an already talented team.  Neely will likely be the programs top player and leading scorer his next two years and start getting college attention.  I wouldn't put a cap on his potential landing spots quite yet.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2243523"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2243523' first='Brayden' last='Helmick'] is almost an extinct species of basketball player these days.  Helmick is our #1 Center in 2026 class and for good reason.  He's a true center and his play backs it up.  Not necessarily a big scoring post, but definitely a productive one.  Brayden routinely fills out multiple boxes in the stat sheet nightly and most importantly averages a double double in points and rebounds.  Helmick has a big strong frame and uses to his advantage.  His college opportunities will lie within his development and footwork in the next two years but playing at the next level is certainly within reach.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["2303394"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2303394' first='Luke' last='Anderson'] has just recently came on the scene as a prospective post player and one that definitely looks to have a bright future.  A bright future based on his willingness to do the work necessary on the interior to put his team in a position for success.  Anderson might be viewed as a role type player with adding inside presence with rebounding and defense, but his scoring ability should not be understated.  He's efficient 12 feet and in and takes advantage of opportunities when given.  We love his grit and determination as a player, being a young post player in WV's top division isn't easy but Luke is handling it quite well.  Luke has the opportunity to develop into a next level player and will often be on the stage to show it to college coaches.  Look for him to be a major impact player in his junior and senior campaigns.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["2306138"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='2306138' first='John' last='Burke'] is the #2 true center on this list.  His size definitely says high school center, especially in WV, but we think he'll continue to develop and gain 4/stretch 4 capabilities, if he doesn't have some of that already.  Burke playing in one of WV's high divisions faces top competition nightly and has already faced one of WV's top wing/bigs this year, so his job is never an easy one.  Burke is on a team with good basketball players and that will allow him to develop at his own pace and become a scoring stalwart in years ahead.  Burke's size is obviously enough to get the attention of most small colleges and we'd expect him to start getting attention soon as he's teammates with a couple prospects currently.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":"","_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":"","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6595987c74ea3"} /-->