2026’s Rankings Update – Top Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was plenty of movement in our most recent rankings update; including seven prospects who rose at least three spots within the Top 15!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most notable riser at the top is the new <strong><em>#2</em></strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='2341292' first='Collins' last='Chidera Onyejiaka'] (<strong><em>#5</em></strong> to <strong><em>#2</em></strong>).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2341301' first='Windston' last='Legentus'] (<strong><em>#10</em></strong> to <strong><em>#7</em></strong>), [player_tooltip player_id='2341304' first='Abdou' last='Toure'] (<strong><em>#11</em></strong> to <strong><em>#8</em></strong>), [player_tooltip player_id='2341312' first='Harrison' last='Aligbe'] (<strong><em>#15</em></strong> to <strong><em>#12</em></strong>), [player_tooltip player_id='2341313' first='Isiah' last='Rose'] (<strong><em>#16</em></strong> to <strong><em>#13</em></strong>), and [player_tooltip player_id='2341316' first='Desmond' last='Bellot'] (<strong><em>#18</em></strong> to <strong><em>#14</em></strong>) are other prospects that made impressive rises within or into the Top 15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five of the&nbsp;<em>biggest risers</em>&nbsp;of note in the class of 2026:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341335"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: 21 (+6) u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eHailey, who was the last of the risers to jump into the Top 15, turned a strong season at u003cemu003eWorcester Academyu003c/emu003e into a 6 spot rise in our rankings update. A true lead guard that already shows an advanced understanding of how to run an offense, Hailey's best attributes might be found on the defensive end of the floor. He has good positional size, long arms, and quick hands; all of which allow him to be a disruptive on ball defender. Offensively, he has some real shift off the bounce and proved to be a solid decision maker in ball screen action. One important development for him this winter was his ability to make shots from the perimeter, particularly when he was creating with the ball in his hands.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2341360"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: 33 (+7) u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eLangley was recently covered in our national article on u003ca href=u0022https://prephoops.com/2024/03/the-2023-24-breakout-underclassman-from-all-50-states/u0022u003ebreakout underclassmenu003c/au003e from all 50 states, thus, it's no surprise to see that he rose 7 spots in these rankings. Another prospect that impresses right now on the defensive end of the floor, Langley has some impressive physical traits that allow him to be a disruptive defender both on and off the ball. Offensively, he's capable of making perimeter jumpers, but thrives as a cutter and slasher that can get into the paint and finish strong at the rim. He's a good athlete, doesn't shy away from contact, and makes winning plays on both ends of the floor. He'll play up with the  u003cemu003eTeam NSSAu003c/emu003e 17u squad this spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2341415"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: 51 (+7) u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eAvery-Turner proved to be one of the top underclassmen in Connecticut this winter and, subsequently, rose 7 spots in this rankings update. A big combo guard with high upside on the offensive end of the floor, Avery-Turner is a crafty scorer of the basketball. His game features a mix of jabs, shot fakes, and an assortment of other movements that he utilizes to create space and get into the teeth of the defense. When he gets to the rim he can finish with either hand and does a good job of picking his spots as a scorer and distributor. Defensively, he's a high IQ team defender that has the size to guard either backcourt spot. He'll play with the u003cemu003eNew York Lightning u003c/emu003eon the travel circuit this spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2341428"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: 60 (+12) u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eBernard, the biggest riser in this rankings update, rose 12 spots after a terrific sophomore season at u003cemu003eNaticku003c/emu003e. A high IQ wing with a smooth offensive game, Bernard is one of the top perimeter shooters in the class. A lefty with in the gym range, he does a good job of running the floor in transition as he stays wide and gets himself set early to receive kick ahead or kick out passes. He's started to show an understanding of how to leverage his shooting and is a crafty finisher when he gets into the paint. He doesn't get sped up, is a willing ball mover, and never seems to force the issue. His understanding of where to be and how to read the game plays to his advantage on the defensive end of the floor. He'll play with u003cemu003eTeam White Mambau003c/emu003e this spring and summer.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2341427"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: 59 (+10)u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003e Afolabi, who falls just behind Bernard in terms of making the biggest jump in this update, rose 10 spots from 59 to 49. Already a big time scorer on the prep scene at u003cemu003eDexter Southfieldu003c/emu003e, Afolabi shines as a creator with the ball in his hands and is at his best when he gets downhill to put pressure on the rim. He's a big time athlete that can finish high above the rim, but he's also shown some signs of being a creative finisher that can finish with craftiness as well as power. He does a great job of utilizing his length to finish in the paint, taking full advantage of his physical gifts. Defensively, he's long and athletic, and when he stays in a stance, can be the type of defender that shuts down the other team's best perimeter scorer.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6619d55835e26"} /-->