Player Rankings Update: 2026 Stock Rising Bigs/Forwards

<!-- 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 the stock rising bigs/forwards in the painted area to keep an eye on this grassroots season.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <strong>JAYANDERSON30</strong>, sign up <a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TODAY</strong></a>!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2055540"],"_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":"Stevens is a big man to track in the 2026 class as he moves into the 10th spot in the latest rankings update following a productive year at Davidson Day which saw him also take home an NCISAA 3A State Title. He's a mobile big man with some versatility in his skill set given his ability to defend multiple roles and operate as a scoring presence in the paint. He's also shown he can step out and hit shots on the perimeter with his shooting ability. He'll be a name to watch on the EYBL scene with Boo Williams this grassroots cycle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1280937"],"_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":"Thompson continues to climb up the 2026 rankings in the latest update as he moves into the 26th spot. He's a force to be reckoned with as he sports a stronger frame (college-ready albeit) with good instincts on both ends of the floor in the painted area. He put up 12.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG and 3.4 BPG on 53 percent shooting from the field as a sophomore with St. Paul's. As he continues to develop his handles and perimeter game, look for his stock to continue to grow in the class. He'll suit up with [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road'] this grassroots season on the 3SSB stage.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1931994"],"_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":"Brown is another sizeable big man with quite the athleticism in his skill set to keep an eye on in the 2026 class. He's emerged as quite the shot-blocking presence in the 2026 class as they enter another grassroots season this spring/summer. He putu p 9.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG and 2.0 BPG this past season for the Chargers and looks to continue to sharpen his skills as a rim protector heading into the grassroots season. He'll be a prospect to keep an eye on with [program_tooltip program_id='2225832' first='Team' last='Curry'] on the UAA stage.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2236583"],"_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":"Crittenden is a sizeable forward/wing presence who continues to climb up the ranks at Croatan. He's shown he can operate at either forward spot at 6-foot-6 after shooting 54 percent from the field as a sophomore. He produced 3.9 PPG and 3.0 RPG and nearly averaged one block per game in boosting their frontcourt. Look for his role to grow over the coming seasons with Croatan and keep track of him on the grassroots scene this spring/summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2078546' first='Team' last='Trezz'].","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2055526"],"_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":"Rousseau is the the latest of the stock rising forwards/bigs in the latest rankings update for the 2026 class to keep an eye on out of Cary Academy. He's another prospect at 6-foot-6 who's shown he can operate at either forward spot given his tenacity on the glass and his ability to score in a variety of ways. He put up 14.0 PPG, 5.1 RPG and 1.5 APG with the Chargers this past season as a sophomore, including 25 points against Cannon in a playoff loss. He'll be a face to watch with [program_tooltip program_id='2078553' first='WCBA' last=''] on the grassroots stage this spring/summer.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660c2c8716868"} /-->