Top 2026 Small Forwards After Ethan Mgbako’s Transfer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 pool took a hit on Monday as Roselle Catholic wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595666' first='Ethan' last='Mgbako']</strong> transferred to Oak Hill Academy. The class still has talent who can make an impact on the hardwood this season. Here are the top 2026 small forwards in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595675' first='Julius' last='Avent'], 6'6 Bergen Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Avent is the top small forward in the class and is a prospect to track over the next couple of months. The 6'6 wing attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong above the rim and is unafraid of drawing contact in the paint. Avent uses his size to see over his defender and can find his open teammates in the halfcourt. He is a solid rebounder and uses his athleticism to make plays on the defensive end. Avent is a talented wing prospect whose ability to impact the game at both ends of 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='1788751' first='Kole' last='Grandison'], 6'5 Immaculate Conception</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grandison participated in the FIBA U17 World Cup with Canada and is looking to bring momentum from that into the summer AAU season . The 6'5 wing knows how to get to his spot on the floor and rises up with confidence on his jumper. Grandison uses his first step to get past his defender off the bounce and finishes nicely around the basket. He moves well without the ball in his hands and works hard on the defensive end. Grandison's ability to score inside and out is something that will help his game over the next couple of moths.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595668' first='AJ' last='Williams'], 6'7 Bergen Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is an intriguing prospect to watch in the class due to his combination of size, length and skill. The 6'7 wing has a good first step, which he uses to blow by his defender off the bounce and leaps off the floor for dunks. Williams is more than just a slasher as he has a nice release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. He has the length to defend multiple positions and is an underrated rebounder. Williams is a lanky wing prospect whose ability to stretch the floor and defend the wing will make him one to watch this summer and fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148602' first='Eric' last='Hillsman'], 6'7 Roselle Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillsman has the potential to play either forward spot, which makes him an interesting prospect to watch. The 6'7 forward has a good face-up game, which he uses to get to the rim and finishes with authority around the basket. Hillsman sets strong screens in the halfcourt and is an underrated passer. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and uses timing on the defensive end to block shots. Hillsman's ability to control the boards and attack the rim makes him a prospect to keep an eye on this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595685' first='Jehki' last='Burnam'], 6'5 Linden</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burnam had a strong spring and should bring it over into the summer. The 6'5 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 on the boards and gets deflections on the defensive end. Burnam is a sharpshooting wing prospect whose ability to stretch the floor will help his stock throughout the course of the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Other Prospects to Know:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859563' first='Tyshawn' last='Boyd'], 6'4 Orange</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342640' first='Austin' last='Workman'], 6'5 Morris Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1788758' first='Chase' last='Moore'], 6'4 Middle Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919205' first='A'Zon' last='Young'], 6'3 St. Augustine</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2451917' first='Ben' last='Duverglas'], 6'5 Hightstown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->