2026 Rankings Update: Top Small Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 class has had a huge summer. Several players have started to make their names known both statewide and regionwide. Many 2026 prospects earned D1 offers these past 3 months and are riding waves of momentum into their Junior years. Here's a look at the top ten Small Forwards in the newest update to our 2026 rankings. These evaluations do not include players who are in the overall top ten in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77247","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"97","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b3cc71d8a84"} /--> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Southwestern's [player_tooltip player_id='1901828' first='Zach' last='Hutchinson'] is on the short list of most overlooked prospects in the 2026 class. Hutchinson is a good shooter and improving driver who is capable of playing above the rim at times. He needs to improve his ball handling but Zach has good size at 6'4 and has college potential as a 3 and D wing.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Staying in the 12th region, Pulaski County's [player_tooltip player_id='1543323' first='Kendall' last='Phillips'] is one of the most prolific scorers in the 26 class. He's on pace to finish his career around 3,000 points and will be an impact transfer at Pulaski after he played at Wayne until this summer. Phillips is a good shooter who plays with a high motor and continues improving his overall athleticism. He's likely to be a scholarship level player in college.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1359131' first='Luke' last='Fawns'] of Montgomery County has shown flashes of top 10 or better potential in his career but has been slowed by injuries. He should be 100% to start the season for a MoCo team that is suddenly loaded with talent. I was front row to see Luke score 32 points in a half last winter so I know what he's capable of. I'm interested to see how he plays this winter.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Saint X's Bryce Long was one of the biggest movers in this rankings update and is in line for a big season on a loaded Tiger roster. Bryce is starting to get stronger as his growing has slowed down. He's going to become a better defender and rebounder with the improved athleticism that comes from the weight room. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meade County's [player_tooltip player_id='1737528' first='Hayden' last='Shouse'] is a player who oozes long term potential thanks to his size and versatility. He can play out on the wing at 6'7 but also can play in the post. Heading into his Junior season, Shouse can be a top player in the 3rd region if he can turn his potential into more production. With his size, he is capable of grabbing ten or more rebounds per game and could be a 20 point and 10 rebound player this year if all goes well.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->