Updated 2026 Rankings: SEPA Stock Risers…Part II
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On Thursday we published our updated Class of 2026 prospect rankings. By now you are familiar with the prospects at the top of our 2024 rankings. Names like Jordan Dill Jordan Dill 5'11" | CG Germantown Friends | 2026 State…
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Continue ReadingOn Thursday we published our updated Class of 2026 prospect rankings. By now you are familiar with the prospects at the top of our 2024 rankings. Names like Jordan Dill Jordan Dill 5'11" | CG Germantown Friends | 2026 State PA (handful of DI offers), Zaahir Muhammad-Gray Zaahir Muhammad-Gray 6'5" | SF Imhotep Charter | 2026 State PA (offer from Georgia Tech) and Ian Williams Ian Williams 5'9" | PG Archbishop Carroll | 2026 State PA (three DI offers).
Today we want to dig into the Class of 2026 rankings and review a few players who used the 2023-24 high school season to increase their recruiting stock significantly.
Below is a review of four “stock risers” from southeastern Pennsylvania’s Class of 2026 who college coaches need to keep an eye on during the spring / summer grassroots season.
40 to 19… Fareed Brown Fareed Brown 5'9" | CG Carver – Engineering And Sciences | 2026 State PA – 5’8″ / Engineering & Sciences / United NJ / Combo Guard: Brown’s climb up our 2026 rankings continues after he averaged 15.4 points, 2 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 39% from three. In 2023-24 Brown registered multiple 30-spots, including a 32-point (6 threes) game against Simon Gratz. This lightening quick guard with incredibly shifty handles thrives in the open court. In the half-court, Brown can obviously hit threes. Still, opponents should not underestimate his ability to get to the rim as well as to hit pull up jumpers. Brown’s scoring and on-court leadership pushed Engineering to the 4A state quarterfinals.
39 to 33… Ethan Johnston Ethan Johnston 6'5" | CG Hill School | 2026 State PA – 6’5” / Hill School / New Heights EYBL / Combo Guard: Johnston is an outstanding two-way playmaker who contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds per game for Hill. Offensively, Johnston is an accurate 3-point shooter (37% on 3PA), and he can attack the cup off the dribble. Once he is the paint, Johnston can covert via a creative lay-in or he can turn it over and dunk on an opponent’s head. Johnston’s stop-n-pop game is an effective weapon too. During his sophomore year Johnston recorded 21 points (4 threes) vs. Friends Central as well as a double-double of 16 points (2 threes) and 11 boards vs. Peddie (NJ). Johnston (1st Team All-MAPL) holds an offer from Fordham.
81 to 70… Jelani Easter Jelani Easter 6'4" | PG Central Dauphin | 2026 State PA – 6’4″ / Central Dauphin / Team PA / Wing: This athletic, slashing perimeter prospect is well known for his highlight reel dunks. However, Easter is much more than just an entertaining high riser. Easter can also score in the mid-range via floaters or jumpers. He can work as a primary ball handler too. In those possessions Easter can create off the dribble for himself or to distribute to a teammate. This winter Easter averaged 11.7 points and 3 rebounds per game. He pumped in 21 points vs. eventual 6A state champion Central York. As a nice bonus to his offensive skills, Easter is a tenacious defender with quick hands. So he generates a host of steals / deflections every game.
224 to 197… Danny Keenan Danny Keenan 5'10" | PG Bishop Shanahan | 2026 State PA – 5’10″ / Bishop Shanahan / PA Hoops Academy / Combo Guard: Keenan is a three-sport athlete (football; lacrosse) and this winter was his breakout season on the hoops court. He is a versatile, high IQ guard prospect who can score or distribute from either guard spot. His developing 3-point stroke must be respected too. In 2023-24 Keenan averaged 12 points per contest and was a 2nd team All-Ches-Mont selection. Keenan netted a season high 22 points (2 threes) against Downingtown West. He also stuffed the stat book vs. Holy Ghost Prep with a near triple-double — 19 points, 11 rebounds and 7 dimes. On defense Keenan’s quick lateral movements and fast hands frequently produce steals.