2026 Edition of Who Flew Under the Radar This Season?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The regular season for the 2026 class was filled with lots of talent and players flying under the radar. These players may have not gotten the same recognition as some of the top players in their class but they proved this season they can climb the rankings next year. Here are players who I think flew under the radar for the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1948970"],"_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":"Nwaigwe took a big step this season appearing in 24 games causing havoc on both ends of the floor. He is as disruptive as they come on defense. Being 6'4u0022 with athletic ability Nwaigwe can switch onto anyone and has excellent timing and reactions on his blocks and getting into the passing lanes leading him to come up with lots of fastbreak opportunities. His ability to use his size down low in the post is how he gets most of his points and can even break defenders down in the midrange game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2107957"],"_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":"Estrada was a defensive stopper this season and was poised to guard the other team's best player every game. As I watched him get better every game one thing that never went away was his hustle and motor on defense. Estrada can guard every position at 6'4u0022 and will look to chase down shots if he is beaten off the dribble. His offensive game improved as he looked to dominate in the low post area and use his strength on mismatches. Look for Estrada to develop into a nice two-way player in the future.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2107992"],"_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":"Van Hoeck showed his two-way ability this season and took a big leap in his game this year. He gets after guys on defense and does a great job of switching different matchups. He also showed his three-point shooting ability with him being a huge threat in the catch-and-shoot game. At 6'5u0022 with his quick and high release, he makes it difficult for defenders to get any sort of effective contest on his shot.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2139578"],"_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":"Owens was an offensive scoring machine this season hitting shots from all over the court. Witnessing a few of his games Owens has such a smooth shot from downtown and can get it off quickly. He uses an effective eye fake on defenders to get them jumping to free him up for the open shot. His catch-and-shoot game is automatic and can break defenders down with his quick handles paired with his shot-creating ability.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2118484"],"_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":"It was quite a show to watch Onunkwo play this season as his extreme athletic ability was front and center of every game. His aggressiveness when attacking the rim is unmatched as he can rise and slam the ball down on anyone. His creativity with the ball in his hands is how he scores most of his points creating space off the dribble and hitting tough step-back shots. Onunkwo can hit shots from behind the arc with his range increasing the more he makes throughout a game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ea0d7a8b18c"} /-->