SD 2026 Rankings: Featured New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The updated SD 2026 rankings were posted Monday on the site. With approximately 80 new additions to the rankings board in this update, we'll have many new names to mention in the coming days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With most of the new additions, Prep Hoops Dakotas was conservative with until we're able to see the prospects more, and more fully — and live as well. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A part and emphasis of the rankings process with this update was to view non-varsity AA basketball. Many of these prospects that play strictly JV/Sophomore ball at the AA level are still very good up-and-coming prospects that will be varsity contributors in the next two years. And also college prospects as well. They are more than deserving of being ranked, even though they may not step on a varsity floor in their Sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a list and analysis of my 10 favorite additions to the SD 2026 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2338074"],"_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":"Tadesse is my favorite and my most exciting addition to the rankings. A JV/Sophomore player, Tadesse is oozing with upside. I think he becomes one of the top prospects in the 2026 class by the time he's a Senior. Elite movement and runs the floor hard and it looks easy. Easy mover with elite overall athletic ability. Flies around defensively with top-notch catchup speed. Understands ball-and-man positioning and seems to have a solid defensive IQ. Long arms at 6'2 with an athletic frame that allows him to move and jump at optimal levels. Offensively, he plays within the game and when opportunity knocks, he normally delivers. A shot-maker that can shoot off the catch and can create his own shot. I think Tadesse blows up this upcoming offseason with [program_tooltip program_id='2222672' first='Sanford' last='Sports Academy']. A two-way upside guard that has a motor and athleticism, while having a basketball body. Count me in as a big [player_tooltip player_id='2338074' first='Aman' last='Tadesse'] fan and someone I'll be following closely.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c32f3b0c757"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1560759],"_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":"Memphis is a major addition to the rankings. A starter on the JV team and varsity contributor off the bench. He enters the varsity game in the 1st quarter, so he's firmly in the rotation. He's an extremely long wing that can move and sprint the floor at a high level. A lanky frame but it doesn't affect anything of what he wants to do on the court. A complete, high energy wing, that can handle it, pass, and stretch the floor from three. Saw him playing point guard on the JV team, but he doesn't translate to that position. His offensive abilities and scoring ability kind of surprises you. Can score all over the court.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c32f3b0c7c3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2338065"],"_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":"Mauney is a legitimate addition to the rankings, as the starting varsity point guard for O'Gorman. A traditional point guard that plays with speed and quickness. Handles the ball at speed. Facilities, dishes, and is a three-point threat. Quick defensive feet and high alertness. He'll be rising up the board going forward.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2338383"],"_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":"A JV/Sophomore starter, Jackson was listed at 6'2, but he looks to be closer to 6'3-6'4 with very long arms from the wing spot. Watched the Watertown/SF Washington games, and McClemans was highly productive with 20 points in the JV game and 19 points in the Sophomore game. Great straight-line speed and explosion. An aggressive scorer that wants the ball and will take it at the D. Hits a bunch of tough shots and will take and make tough threes. Could be a little more bendy and fluid.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c3035fc432e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2339020"],"_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":"Bivens is a great addition to the rankings with his 6'5 frame with length. A JV player that comes off the bench for Yankton. May be under the radar throughout the state, but he'll continue ascending up the rankings. A traditional post with a lankier frame, Jacob is a prospect that I'd like to see hit the 6'9 range.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c3035fc4384"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2339018"],"_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":"Starter on the JV squad for Yankton, Abe is a top athlete in the 2026 class, with his movement and jumping combination. He plays off the ball and can slash with the ball in his hands and elevate when he gets in the lane. If he's a few inches taller, we're talking about a hot commodity.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c32f3b0c896"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2338058"],"_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":"Watched the Hamlin game and he was the go-to guy and stud on the JV team. In the first group off the bench on varsity, entering in the 1st quarter. Too physical at 6'4 to be contained at the JV level. Plays more of a wing at the varsity level, spelling Baumberger. He roams a little from perimeter to inside, looking for an advantage and weak spot in the defense. A good rebounder because he's physical and a great leaper at 6'4. Not an offensive prospect you design plays or isolate, because he finds ways to make plays. Plays hard, runs the floor, attacks the ball in the air, crashes the boards, etc. A versatile defender that can guard speed and size. Started the Florence-Henry game last night with no Laue playing, and he produced with a near double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds in the win.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2338241"],"_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":"Canyon is a position-less prospect that is the definition of versatility at 6'2. He's not a point guard or primary ball-handler, but everything else, he is. Plays fast with a relentless effort that is not out of control, either. A bonafide playmaker at the JV level, where you could say he dominates in terms of consistently making play after play on both ends throughout a game, every game. High energy prospect, with size being his only limitation.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2338070"],"_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":"Many might not know of Thoan, but he can play. Sioux Falls Lincoln's underclassmen rosters are legitimate, so Muc may not be a top name that comes up. He's a big and long guard that plays with an offensive skill and toughness. A skilled game, in which he can take his defender off the drive and use his body through contact. Create space with his handle to pop a jumper. Or an easy catch-and-shoot three. A well-rounded scoring skill set. It will be interesting to see how his role with the team develops, because they have a lot of prospects that can play","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2339021"],"_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":"The up-and-coming Ryken plays a lot like the Rykens before him. Only 5'8 but Beck has range for days from deep. Can stroke it clear beyond the 3-point line. A heady and poised point guard that can handle and pass with skill. He's looking tolaunch from deep with accuracy. Must be guarded beyond the line.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65c32f3b0c8e0"} /-->