Fast Rising 2026 Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the fall high school basketball postseason 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:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660048' first='Brandon' last='Bass Jr']. | SG s| 2026 | Windermere Prep | @BrandonBassJr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid has developed into a rising star since first setting eyes on him a season ago. 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 they're right back in it with Bass being a playmaking star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jermal Jones | CG | 2026 | Bell Creek Academy | @JermalJonesJr0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones 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 of athlete who's mainly a scoring threat at the next level but is still developing his overall game and growing into his body. Has a really good upside and will be one of the premier college-ready prospects in the Tampa area in years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658584' first='Toni' last='Bryant'] | F | 2026 | NTCA | @the_Tonibryant</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant is a premier two-way player who 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 must get eyes on him before it's too late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2134650' first='Jayden' last='Joseph'] | CG | 2026 | West Oaks | @_jayd1nnn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 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 who 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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1659512' first='Ian' last='Parham'] | CG | 2026 | Four Corners | @IanParhamJr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1659512' first='Ian' last='Parham']</strong> Jr can potentially 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1660035' first='Calvin' last='Russell'] | CG | 2026 | Miami Northwestern | @14gump_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The electric dual-sport athlete has taken his confidence from this season on the field onto the basketball court where he's averaging over 20.0 points per game for his squad. A Power 5 prospect on the gridiron, this kid is pure athleticism with a long frame, lightning speed, and defensive anticipation skills. Had to give the rising sophomore some recognition for his play on the court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DJ Sandi | CG | 2026 | St. Thomas Aquinas | @DJSandi_</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandi finished as a scoring leader on a solid STA Raiders basketball program while showing his ability to be a solid combo guard for the next level. The 6-2 sophomore riser is still growing into his frame but has displayed a high IQ and passing skills with the rock. He's an underrated athletic combo piece that can play solid defense and be an offensive asset.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1633099' first='Isaiah' last='Newson'] | F | 2026 | North Fort Myers | @zay_Boe561</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about being a dominant scorer from the field, Newson finished with 24.8 PPG with his high-scoring game being a 67-point performance! He had a solid off-season heading into the winter and only used that to show college coaches he's a DOG. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217915' first='Jayden' last='Aristile'] | SG | 2026 | Crooms Academy | @iayden7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Productive season for this young man who showed off his versatility on both sides of the floor this season. The rising sophomore led his team in multiple categories while displaying his ability to be a consistent scorer from the field. Got to keep an eye on his overall progression this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->