2026 Forward Prospects Who Could Pick up Their First Offer Soon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 class saw an update on the recruiting trail as Rumson Fair-Haven forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2205839' first='Luke' last='Cruz']</strong> received an offer from UPenn. The pool has the talent to make an impact at the next level as players are still waiting to pick up their first offers. Here are the 2026 forward prospects who could pick up their first offer soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595685' first='Jehki' last='Burnam'], 6'4 SF Linden</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burnam had a strong spring and summer for the [program_tooltip program_id='2078573' first='NJ' last='Beasts'] and is looking to have a big junior season. The 6'4 forward has a clean 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 moves well without the ball in his hands and has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor. Burnam is a sharpshooting forward prospect whose ability to stretch the floor will help his stock throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919208' first='Gerald' last='Elwell'], 6'5 PF Payne Tech</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elwell is a load in the paint and will be tough to stop in Essex County this season. The 6'5 forward has a strong frame, which he uses to get position down low and has a nice touch around the basket. Elwell is unafraid of drawing contact in the paint and sets good screens in the halfcourt. He is a force on the boards on both ends of the floor and holds his ground on the defensive end. Elwell is a physical forward prospect who should rack up double-doubles this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948973' first='Ryan' last='Hilongos'], 6'5 PF St. Joe's Metuchen</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hilongos had a strong AAU season and is looking to carry it over into the winter. The 6'5 forward has a strong faceup game as he can put the ball on the floor and finishes strong around the basket. Hilongos has a high release on his jumper and his range extends out to the three-point line. He works for rebounds on both ends of the floor and is an underrated passer. Hilongos' ability to score inside and out is something that will help his stock during the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595678' first='Jayden' last='Teyan'], 6'6 PF Seton Hall Prep</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teyan is an intriguing prospect to watch with his combination of size and length. The lanky 6'6 forward runs the floor hard, creating easy opportunities for layups and dunks in transition. Teyan has a nice touch around the basket and rarely forces jumpers in the halfcourt. He uses good timing to swat shots on the defensive end and is able to secure second chance opportunities for his team. Teyan is a lanky forward prospect whose ability to impact the game at both ends of the floor will help his development in a big way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2342640' first='Austin' last='Workman'], 6'5 SF Morris Catholic</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Workman has the potential to play in the backcourt as well, which will help his game this season. The 6'5 wing attacks the basket strong as he finishes well around the basket and can also score in the mid-range. Workman sets his feet before he shoots and rarely forces jumpers in the halfcourt. He rips down rebounds on both ends of the floor and uses his length to get deflections on the defensive end. Workman had a pair of double-doubles this season and should increase that number in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->