2026 Rankings: New Names Outside the Top 100

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the rising junior class in North Carolina recieving a new rankings update from PrepHoops, there have been a lot more names that have emerged over their second years in high school, becoming impact players for their teams. Check out five guys who are bubbling prospects to monitor as they hover outside the top 100 players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2339884"],"_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":"Keller was a tempo-pushing point guard all season long for a tough Watauga team, earning him the 108th spot in our new rankings. He averaged 14.3 PPG, 3.9 APG and 2.3 SPG as a guy who was up in people's grills, making plays for his teammates, and then himself. A season-long 39% three point shooter, he's shown he can kick it with the best of them on some nights, and will work to develop his jumper even further. A guy to watch from the WNC area.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2326447"],"_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":"Coulter was a key man for Gaston Day this season, and the rising junior will be a name to monitor around the state while playing AAU. 14.2 PPG and 89 threes showcased his ability as a lead scorer for Gaston Day, who led a balanced attack during the year but he ended up emerging as a top scorer. His ability to shoot the ball, work around the defense, and get to his spots is impressive. He also","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1281019"],"_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":"Coon had a breakout year as part of a Wake Christian team that achieved above expectations, averaging 17.7 PPG and knocking down 82 three pointers at a 42% clip. He's a score first guy, but an elite shooter who can also make some plays inside the arc, attacking the basket or getting to the charity stripe. Should be a name to monitor in the Wake County area next season as he looks to put up even more gaudy numbers.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2280469"],"_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":"Slusher is a name that has emerged as part of a new look Hough roster this season, averaging 7.4 PPG and 4.7 RPG playing with a lot of experienced seniors in front of him. He's a wing/forward that rebounds the ball well and shows some intriguing ability to become an around the rim finisher at the college level. Still a prospect on the raw side, but has physical tools and lots of room to grow. Someone to monitor this grassroots season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2299826"],"_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":"Strand was a key complementary piece this season in Coach Gibson Pyper's turnaround job in his first season with the Huskies, averaging 7.1 PPG and 5.6 RPG on 52/40/71 shooting splits over the course of the year. He's an intriguing wing prospect with a unique blend of size, skill and scoring ability. He's still filling out his physicality and body with weight, but will become more of an interior player if he can do so. A young name to monitor on the grassroots circuit this summer.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fb0b45b54a4"} /-->