2026 Group 4 Small Forward Prospects to Track

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The summer AAU season has come and gone as the past weekend was the final one of the year. The 2026 class is looking to carry over its success from the summer into the regular season, especially in the frontcourt. Here are the 2026 Group 4 forward prospects to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Jekhi Burnam, 6'4 Linden</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burnam has had a strong AAU season and should bring it over into the 2024-25 season. The 6'4 wing has a smooth release on his jumper and can get hot from distance in a hurry. Burnam is more than just a shooter as he can also put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. He works hard for rebounds on both ends of the floor and slides his feet on the defensive end. Burnam is a sharpshooting wing prospect whose ability to stretch the floor will help his stock in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948970' first='Donald' last='Nwaigwe'], 6'4 Piscataway</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nwaigwe has the ability to play either forward position, making him a prospect to watch in the class. The 6'4 forward attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact. Nwaigwe has a high release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. He is an underrated passer and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Nwaigwe is a gritty forward prospect whose ability to score inside and out will help his development over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342647' first='Rashawn' last='Williams'], 6'3 Plainfield</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has more experience playing closer to the basket and should continue to impact the game at both ends of the floor. The 6'3 forward has a good first step, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finish around the basket. Williams moves well without the ball in his hands, freeing himself for open layups and jumpers in the halfcourt. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and gets deflections on the defensive end. Williams' ability to make plays in the paint is something that will make him a prospect to watch in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421360' first='Tom' last='Diomedi'], 6'4 Montclair</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diomedi's stock has been on the rise since the spring and is looking to carry it over into the winter. The 6'4 forward has a clean shooting stroke and can knock down triples in bunches. Diomedi has an underrated handle as he can also put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and holds his ground on the defensive end. Diomedi's stock will continue to climb if he maintains his play from the AAU season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2107957' first='Marcos' last='Estrada'], 6'4 Hackensack</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estrada has the potential to breakout this season with his ability to play inside and out. The 6'4 forward can put the ball on the floor and finishes well around the basket. Estrada is able to draw contact in the paint and rarely forces jumpers in the halfcourt. He has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor and is tough to box out on the offensive glass. Estrada's ability to attack the basket and defend the ball is something that will help his game over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->