2026 Summer Rankings Update: Underrated Prospects, part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 board is expanding quickly and, as a result, some talented players are getting lost in the shuffle. So this is a good time to comb through the rankings and see who deserves a closer look. This is part one:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400241"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699dc437cb0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even the basketball community in Philly is still figuring out how good of a prospect Hopkins is. The long-armed wing-forward continues to alter the geometry of the court with his ability to protect the rim vertical and disrupt driving lanes and passing windows horizontally. His offense isn't as loud, but he contributes with his motor as a rebounder and low post scorer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2400212"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699dbd2e3986"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even the basketball community in Philly is still figuring out how good of a prospect Hopkins is. The long-armed wing-forward continues to alter the geometry of the court with his ability to protect the rim vertical and disrupt driving lanes and passing windows horizontally. His offense isn't as loud, but he contributes with his motor as a rebounder and low post scorer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2251715"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699dbd2e39fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mita has proven in multiple contexts that he can be his team's best and more important player while hardly scoring at all. From the high or low post, he can distribute the ball to cutters and shooters coming off of screens. And, of course, he's more than willing to crash the boards on either end. Then, when you need him to, he can do into his bag of footwork and get you a bucket from anywhere inside the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1188625"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699dbd2e3a58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Now that he's in the 2026 class, Waters's impact as a defensive ball-stopper will be felt even more. He's capable of completely shutting down offenses because he's so strong as an on-ball defender. Far from being one-dimensional, Waters is a streaky shooter from deep and a connective passer with a developing handle. Joining the Friends League should allow him the room to keep expanding his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1890474"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699dbd2e3ab4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A middy and forward on the soccer field, Miles is an all-around hooper when he steps on the court. He has the talent and mentality to drive offense, able to get to his pull-up jump in various ways and get into the lane, then score. Conversely, Miles can scale down and play off-ball. With a smaller offensive role, he's able to knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers and lock-in on defense to force turnovers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2438097"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6699dbd2e3b0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In addition to being a star quarterback (&amp; DB) and track athlete, Sweeney has the potential to be just as good on the hardwood. He's explosive enough with the ball in his hands to run point for his high school and comfortably attacking off-the-catch to play next to other lead guards with his grassroots team. And as a defender, Sweeney makes plays whether he's on-ball or in help due to his spatial awareness and physicality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->