Stock Risers: N.C. Triad C/O '26

North Carolina's class of 2026 is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Big names like [player_tooltip player_id='1226608' first='Yohance' last='Connor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1281015' first='Cole' last='Cloer'], products of big-time programs such as Team Loaded VA and [program_tooltip program_id='2226228' first='Team' last='CP3'], rightfully appear in our in-depth coverage like regularly scheduled programming. With our updated North Carolina class of 2026 rankings fresh off the press, I thought today would be a good opportunity to evaluate this class from the bottom up. I found myself, as I usually do, intrigued by the promise and potential of prospects in North Carolina's triad region. The 336, often overlooked and underrated, is home to some of the most skilled in the class of 2026. Let's dive into what makes them great and why there stock is on the rise.    Pilot Mountain, N.C., about 30 minutes northwest of Winston Salem, is home to some underrated high school prospects and programs. Class of 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1832542' first='Carter' last='Motsinger'] out of East Surry high school is one of them. Motsinger is a guy I first discovered in April 2023. I've been high on him since. Here's a guy who has consistently improved his game each year and has seen his stock continue to improve. With Motsinger making the cut in our North Carolina class of 2026 rankings for the first time at #179, he's the perfect prospect to get this rolling.   In his sophomore year anchoring the backcourt at East Surry, Motsinger averaged 10 ppg and 4 apg., and 3.5 rpg, massive improvements in each category from the year prior. Motsinger is a floor general through and through. He's an elite ball handler, premier passer, and is a high IQ guy who makes the right decision with the basketball. Motsinger has proven he's a capable scorer averaging double digits this past high school season. He's an excellent finisher through contact at the rim, has a sweet mid-range pull-up, and is evolving into a consistent threat behind the 3-point line. Standing at a true 6'0”, Motsinger has the size and length to compete on both ends of the floor with some of the most highly rated guards in his class. With a standout junior high school season in his grasp, I fully expect Motsinger to capitalize on improving his game during the peak of the AAU circuit. If he can become more of a scoring threat, which I believe he can, while retaining his instinctual point guard abilities, Mostinger has the ability to see his stock continue to rise.       West Forsyth high school is a consistent 20-win-per-season team in the heart of North Carolina's triad region. The Clemmons, N.C., program had another respectable season, finishing the year with a 20-8 record. One of their most intriguing prospects is class of 2026 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='1837061' first='Max' last='Skillman']. I first discovered Skillman in May 2023 and have seen him develop his game into a versatile 3 who is deserving of his spot in our updated rankings.   At  6'3”, Skillman is a big, physical presence on both sides of the floor. Making his varsity debut as a sophomore in 2023-2024, Skillman was an integral part of his team's success as a do-it-all wing who played with a level of aggressiveness that is rare for a prospect in his class. Skillman has proven he is a capable scorer on all three levels, as he continues to hone his outside shooting skills and increase his percentage from behind the 3-point line. He led his team in rebounding, proving he is a tenacious prospect who is built to compete on the boards. With a West Forsyth roster with a couple key departures, I expect Skillman to see a major increase in ball-handling duties which will account for a stronger desire to score and look to attack the basket. Keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id='1837061' first='Max' last='Skillman'], he'll be up there with the best combo guards in his class this time next year.     The [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] is the premier AAU program in the triad. The best prospects from all over the 336 are drawn to Kernersville, N.C., to run with the Spartans from March - July. One of the program's most intriguing up-and-coming prospects is class of 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2055542' first='Aaron' last='Holmes'] out of Lexington Senior High School.   [player_tooltip player_id='2055542' first='Aaron' last='Holmes'] is an elite true point guard who is an elite ball handler and distributor. He is a floor general who facilitates his team's offense every possession he's on the floor. Holmes is  a versatile playmaker in transition and knows how to run the break with poise. He's got a great feel for the game and knows where his guys' spots are on the floor and how to find them. Despite his pass-first style to his game, Holmes is an underrated scorer who utilizes his quickness to get a bucket when need be. While size may be a first-glance concern about Holmes, he is a prospect who capitalizes his ability to split a defense because of his quickness and make the right read quickly. There is no doubt Holmes will need to fill out his body in the weight room this summer. If he can achieve that and put on a legitimate amount of muscle, I see him being one of the most talked about guards in our rankings.     High School and AAU teammate of [player_tooltip player_id='2055542' first='Aaron' last='Holmes'] is [player_tooltip player_id='2055541' first='Kamari' last='McDonald'], another up-and-coming prospect in the triad region.   At 6'5”, [player_tooltip player_id='2055541' first='Kamari' last='McDonald'] is a force to be reckoned with down low. He's got the length, size, and athleticism that make him a big-time prospect with a ton of upside. What stands out most with McDonald is his ability to occupy the paint with rebounding and second-chance buckets. McDonald is active in the paint on both sides of the floor and is an elite shot blocker and rim protector. He's a high-motor prospect who plays with a ton of energy when he's on the floor. The next step McDonald needs to take is improving his outside shot. I believe he'll use his AAU season with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] to do it. With a consistent outside shot paired with his dominance in the paint, [player_tooltip player_id='2055541' first='Kamari' last='McDonald'] has the potential to be a big-time prospect who sees his stock rise in the months to come.     Our highest-ranked prospect today is 6'7” power forward JB Shabbaz. A dual-sport athlete with offers from UNC and APP State already in football, Shabbaz is one of the most elite athletes in his class that translates into a really skilled, tough to guard prospect.   While his football recruiting status to date has been unquestioned, Shabbaz is also an emerging basketball prospect who will transfer to East Forsyth high school this upcoming season to showcase his skill on both the gridiron and the hardwood at the highest stage. Shabbaz is a big, physical power forward who moves exceptionally well for a prospect his size. His football background provides for exceptional footwork in the open court and underneath the basket. He's a strong finisher at the rim and is tough to compete with on the boards. Shabbaz is an elite defender who plays with poise underneath the basket. While he is no doubt a homerun football prospect, Shabbaz still has two years to test the waters in basketball. A prospect with his size and athleticism is hard to keep too far out of sight. JB Shabbaz will be an intriguing big man to see develop this summer during AAU play and next season at East Forsyth.

North Carolina's class of 2026 is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Big names like Yohance Connor Yohance Connor 6'3" | CG Combine Academy | 2026 State #113 Nation NC and Cole Cloer Cole Cloer 6'7" | SF Caldwell Academy | 2026 #25 Nation FL , products of big-time programs such as Team Loaded VA and Team CP3 , rightfully appear in our in-depth coverage like regularly scheduled programming. With our updated North Carolina class of 2026 rankings fresh off the press, I thought today would be a good opportunity to evaluate this class from the bottom up. I found myself, as I usually do, intrigued by the promise and potential of prospects in North Carolina's triad region. The 336, often overlooked and underrated, is home to some of the most skilled in the class of 2026. Let's dive into what makes them great and why there stock is on the rise.