2026 Rankings Update: Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 rankings update is here with over 130 prospects in the list. With every update, new players are added and this one is no different. Here are the top newcomers in the 2026 rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2347867' first='Sage' last='Mateo'], 6'2 PG Hun</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mateo is the highest ranked prospect in the update and is slated to have an even bigger spring and summer. The 6'2 guard has a good handle, which he uses to get into the lane and make plays. Mateo can find his open teammates in the halfcourt and rarely makes bad decisions on the ball. He also has the ability to play off the ball and slides his feet on the defensive end. Mateo is a heady, guard prospect whose ability to run the offense effectively will help his develop in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342638' first='Jaden' last='Brown'], 6'2 SG Bergen Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown made an impact in his debut varsity season as he made big plays down the stretch. The 6'2 guard has a quick first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish at the rim. Brown can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He is unselfish with the ball and is an underrated defender. Brown's ability to score inside and out is something that will help his game nicely over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2205839' first='Luke' last='Cruz'], 6'8 PF Rumson Fair-Haven</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruz is one of the most intriguing prospects in the class with his combination of size, length and shooting. The 6'8 forward has a high release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Cruz is more than just a shooter as he can also put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and influences a ton of shots around the basket. Cruz is a floor-spacing forward prospect whose ability to hit triples is something that will help his stock in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2348977' first='Marjon' last='Skillman'], PF Trenton Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Skillman made a big impact down low for the Iron Mikes as he nearly averaged a double-double. He uses his body well to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Skillman is unafraid of drawing contact down low and sets good screens in the halfcourt. He is a force on the glass and uses good timing to swat shots on the defensive end. Skillman put up 16 double-doubles in 2023-24 and is looking to carry that over into the spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342640' first='Austin' last='Workman'], 6'5 SF Morris Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Workman took a big jump up in production this season and ended the season on a high note with four straight double-digit games. The 6'5 wing has a solid handle, which he uses to get into the lane and finishes nicely around the basket. Workman uses his size to see over his defender and rises up nicely on his jumper. He is a strong rebounder and uses his length to make an impact on the defensive end. Workman is a long, wing prospect who should continue to progress his game over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Know:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342599' first='Jakub' last='Malecki'], 6'6 PF Gill St. Bernard's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237119' first='Caleb' last='Williams'], 6'0 CG Paterson Eastside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342641' first='Greg' last='Reyes'], 6'6 SF St. Thomas Aquinas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342644' first='Justin' last='Hunt'], 5'9 PG Paterson Kennedy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342637' first='Brad' last='Brown'], 5'10 PG Don Bosco</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->