Player Rankings Update: 2026 Trending Storylines

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">The 2026 rankings have been updated in the state of North Carolina! Take a look at a few of the trending storylines!</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get&nbsp;30% OFF payment&nbsp;on your first billing cycle with offer code:&nbsp;<strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1628346' first='Kendre' last='Harrison'] round out the Top 2 at No. 1 and 2</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1716474' first='Dionte' last='Neal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1628346' first='Kendre' last='Harrison'] sit at the top of the 2026 rankings following their undefeated season on the hardwood with Reidsville High. Neal and Harrison have now won both the 2A NCHSAA State Championship in football and basketball following their victory over Farmville Central in the state title game this past Saturday. Both have a bright future ahead of them on the hardwood and the football field with two years left of high school following a 29-0 record in 2023-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Five New Faces in the Top 10</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">There's some new faces in the Top 10 as a few stock-risers in the ranks find themselves atop the latest rankings update.</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1556663"],"_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":"Williams was quite the engine for Forsyth Country Day School at the point guard spot in leading them to an NCISAA 3A State Title. He's a floor general who knows how to fill up the stat sheet and make things go as he did through [player_tooltip player_id='1976853' first='Jahon' last='Foster'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1078979' first='Bobby' last='Cannon Jr']. He finished with six points, six rebounds, four steals and four assists in their victory over Gaston Christian School. He's a 2026 prospect who should start to draw a ton of intrigue at the point guard spot despite his size on the floor given his pedigree for winning games.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2043250"],"_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":"Dawkins had himself quite the breakout season as Southern Guilford made a deep run in the NCHSAA 3A State Playoffs before falling to Hickory. He shot 38 percent from deep on the season while producing 21.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 2.4 APG in the Storm backcourt alongside a strong unsigned senior presence. He's got a good feel for handling the basketball and impressive floor game to go along with it. He's got a bright future ahead of him and is one to get eyes on this grassroots cycle with [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road'] 3SSB.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2023905"],"_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":"Bouie put together quite the sophomore season for JL Chambers in 2023-24 as he earned Queen City All-Conference honors in putting up 14.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.7 SPG AND 1.1 BPG as an all-around presence in the rotation. Samford and Wake Forest have offered him following a season that saw him drop 40 points in a playoff road victory over Weddington High. He's a prospect to buy stock in this summer as he'll suit up on the Pro16 stage.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2055663"],"_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":"Keith is another stock-riser who moves into the Top 10 out of Grimsley High. He leads a young nucleus of sophomore after producing 14.5 PPG, 5.6 APG, 3.0 RPG and 1.7 SPG in his sophomore season as the Whirlies took home the Metro 4A Conference regular-season and conference tournament crown. He led the conference in assists while ranking sixth in 3-pointers made (20) and second in field goals made (147). He's got a bright future ahead of him on the grassroots scene with [program_tooltip program_id='2225832' first='Team' last='Curry'].","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2055540"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Stevens is a sizeable name to get to know in the 2026 latest rankings update as he rounds out the Top 10. He was a pivotal piece in Davidson Day's triumph over Greenfield School in the NCISAA 2A State Championship as he chipped in with his versatility at the stretch-center spot. He finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal along with two made 3-pointers to show off his ability to make an impact on the hardwood. He's a prospect for DI programs to get on their radar as he'll suit up with Boo Williams this summer on the EYBL stage.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65fa7d0d3948f"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>The 2026 rankings have been EXPANDED to 175 prospects, adding another 25 new names to the fold as the grassroots season approaches in the spring/summer months! Take a <a href="https://prephoops.com/north-carolina/rankings/2026-rankings/">look</a> at the latest additions to the rankings now!</em></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading -->