NOVA Starting 5 class of 2026: Private Schools

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 class is another loaded one in VA. Here is my starting 5 in NOVA this high school season in private schools for the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='2304616' first='Grey' last='Chamberlain']<br></strong>Potomac School has a couple of really nice young players, and in the future, they should be a very good team. One of those players is [player_tooltip player_id='2304616' first='Grey' last='Chamberlain']. Grey is an elite shooter and has excellent size for a guard at 6'5. He excels as a catch-and-shoot guy and had some solid performances this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='1782688' first='Khaliq' last='Carson']</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='1782688' first='Khaliq' last='Carson'] is one of my favorite players to watch. He was good off the bench this year for Bishop Ireton. He is a tremendous playmaker and an elite defender. Khaliq is hard to stay in front of and is a bolt of energy. He is good at attacking the rim and knocking down open jump shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='2347772' first='Jake' last='Bahr']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2347772' first='Jake' last='Bahr'] was an impact player for Bishop Ireton this year. He has very good size for a two-guard and is a versatile offensive player. Jake is a lights-out shooter and has a nice mid-range game. He is good in the paint and has a solid post-up game. Bishop Ireton has a lot of talent in its 2026 class, and Jake will be a huge piece moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='1782693' first='Dominic' last='Nguyen']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782693' first='Dominic' last='Nguyen'] is a high-level scorer who had some huge performances for Seton this year. His big game was against North Cross in the state tournament, where he had a career high 31 points. Dominic is a high-IQ player and a great PG. He is deceptively strong and quick when he drives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HM [player_tooltip player_id='2301294' first='Akim' last='Iscandari']<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2301294' first='Akim' last='Iscandari'] was a player I labeled as underrated and a guy to watch this year as a breakout candidate. He made his mark early in the year with his energy and all-out play. Akim is quick and a great passer. He rebounds well and is a fantastic perimeter defender. Akim was also named first-team All-Mac.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782690"],"_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":"What [player_tooltip player_id='1782690' first='Silas' last='Devonish'] lacks in size, he makes up for in skill and heart. I first watched Silas when he was heading into his freshman year at DMVlive, and right there, I knew he would be a special player. Silas is a high-level scorer and one of the quickest players in the area. Silas is great when he goes downhill as a driver, and he competes as hard as anyone.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1782696"],"_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":"There's not much that needs to be said about [player_tooltip player_id='2148767' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] that has yet to be said. Jordan played on arguably the best team in the country and was a steady contributor. He is nationally ranked for a reason, and he is one of the most naturally gifted athletes I've seen in a long time. He was a no-brainer on this list.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1782699"],"_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":"Bishop O'Connell was nationally ranked for a lot of the year, and [player_tooltip player_id='1782699' first='Quincy' last='Wadley'] has been outstanding for them. Quincy is a high-level shooter and a terrific shot creator. He is also a solid defender and is good off and on the ball on both ends. Quincy may have the most translatable game right now of anyone in the class.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1782692"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] has a lot of untapped potential that could help him take his game to a new level. That said, [player_tooltip player_id='1782692' first='Ripp' last='Kodi'] still had an outstanding year for Bishop Ireton, who, as I mentioned earlier, is young and supremely talented. Ripp is a great athlete and a versatile defender. As a forward, he blows by opposing bigs that guard him. He is a good shooter from three as well. Ripp is 6'6, but when you have the length he has, you can play a lot bigger than your height, and that's what he does.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1370511"],"_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":"At my other forward spot, I have [player_tooltip player_id='1370511' first='Frank' last='Siaca-Bey']. Fairfax Christian used a balanced attack to be one of the best teams in the state, and [player_tooltip player_id='1370511' first='Frank' last='Siaca-Bey'] was one of their big contributors. Frank is great on both ends and tough to stop in the paint. He has an amazing touch, and you see that translate in his jumpshot. He is a good shooter from all spots on the court and has a complete offensive game. He averaged 9.5 PPG and 7.3 RPG.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660cb260d0e28"} /-->