2026 Rankings Update: The Small Forwards

Our positional breakdowns for the Class of 2026 continues with a look at some of New England's most impactful Small Forwards.   Arguably the strong positional group in this class, with four of the Top 10 overall prospects in our rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='2341286' first='Sam' last='Fleming'], [player_tooltip player_id='2341304' first='Abdou' last='Toure'], [player_tooltip player_id='2341352' first='Jaxson' last='Terry'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2407052' first='Preston' last='Merrick'] make up one of the strongest positional quartet's in the country, with all currently holding scholarship offers from the highest levels of college basketball.    Below, we take a look at five Small Forwards to watch from the Class of 2026:    Costello, a big wing from the Newman School, had a strong summer on the travel circuit with the Middlesex Magic. A rapidly improving prospect, Costello has an impressive inside-out game on the offensive end of the floor. He's showing signs of improved strength and physicality and was more willing to mix it up in the paint this summer than he previously had been. He has a high basketball IQ and is a good distributor out of the low post, especially when the double team comes. He's an above average perimeter shooter and can makes plays off the bounce off of his shot fake. Defensively, he has great length and moves his feet well enough to stay in front of the ball on the perimeter. He's quickly becoming a priority recruit at the low to mid-major level having gained offers from the likes of Harvard, Brown, George Washington, Columbia, and Canisius in just the last few weeks!     Sangermano, who enrolled this offseason at Loomis Chaffee, put together a solid showing this summer with the Mass Rivals. A physical and tough wing, Sangermano impresses with both his skill and athleticism. While he's always been a solid perimeter shooter, he's turned himself into a three level scorer over the last year, taking full advantage of his physical gifts to finish with authority around the rim. He has a college ready frame, good feel for the game on the offensive end, and the ability to make highlight plays in transition. He's tough in the mid-range, can attack closeouts off the bounce, and is a willing ball mover. Defensively, he's capable of guarding up or down a position and does a really good job of rebounding in space. He's on the radar as a scholarship level prospect and should be a key component to what Loomis Chaffee hopes to achieve this winter.     Strand, a big playmaking wing from the Canterbury School, continues to be one of the region's top under-the-radar prospects. A steadying presence on the offensive end, Strand fills the role of a jumbo lead guard at times. He's always looking to push the ball ahead in transition, does a great job of keeping his eyes up the floor, and has next level feel as a passer in the half-court. He's an instinctive scorer that has a great understanding of when to get his own or set up teammates. On top of that, he's a high level perimeter shooter when he gets his feet set. Defensively, he's tough on the ball, does a good job of moving his feet laterally, and isn't afraid to mix it up in the paint for loose balls and rebounds. He's another prospect that should grab the attention of scholarship level programs this winter and could be a stock riser next spring.     Martin, an advanced scorer on the wing, should fill a big role at Wilbraham & Monson this winter. Coming off a strong summer with the Mass Rivals, Martin has solidified himself as one of the top perimeter shooters in the class. He does a great job of running wide in transition and doing his work before the catch to get set. He has a quick and consistent release and, as his reputation as a shooter has grown, has done a good job of utilizing shot fakes and space dribbles to keep the defense off balance. He's a willing ball mover, instinctive cutter, and doesn't play outside of himself. Defensively, he makes high IQ plays and does a good job of containing his man off the bounce. He has an elite skill in his ability to shoot the ball and should be someone that coaches begin tracking as soon as this fall.     Sims, who already holds the single season rebounding record at Newington, stars on both the hardwood and the gridiron. A physical wing, Sims shines on the defensive end of the floor. Right now, he's both a perimeter stopper and rebounding machine. On the ball, he's physical, tough, and moves his feet well. Off the ball, he does a great job of jumping pass lanes, helping to protect the rim from the weakside, and owning his area of the floor for rebounds. On the offensive end of the floor, he does most of his scoring around the basket, proving to be a physical rim finisher. He can finish with either hand and is a threat to score as both a cutter and in isolation situations on the block. Right now, he profiles as a combo forward, but as his skill develops, he could make the move to a full time wing. Either way, he's a prospect that should be on the radar of college coaches in the region come this winter.

Our positional breakdowns for the Class of 2026 continues with a look at some of New England's most impactful Small Forwards.