2026 Rankings Update: Stock-Rising Forwards/Bigs

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at the stock-risers at the power forward, center and forward spots who took a jump in the latest rankings update for the 2026 class in North Carolina!</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>USE CODE<strong> anderson30</strong> for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2420076"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa4ac9a448c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Helgason is an athletic forward prospect who continues to climb the radar in the 2026 class out of Asheville School. He's shown he can play above the rim on both ends of the floor and can also space the floor with his shooting stroke from deep. He holds offers from Hampton, Wyoming, Stetson, Chattanooga, East Carolina and Illinois State heading into his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2236583"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa4ac9a4507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crittenden looks ready to make more noise in his junior year with Croatan High after averaging 3.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game on the varsity stage. He showed flashes of his ability to score and rebound the ball as a sophomore. He's due for a break out season with other weapons around him as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2055668"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa4ac9a4566"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shabazz is a two-sport athlete in both basketball and football worth taking notice of over at East Forsyth High. He's a sizeable big man who knows how to utilize his frame on the interior to make things happen for himself and others. His most underrated trait may be his ability to get assists out of the post. He draws attention from defenders and uses it to his advantage, every single time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2172117"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa4ac9a45c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson looks like he's ready to make a move at Bishop McGuinness this fall. He's an athletic forward prospect who's shown he can operate in the painted area on both ends but he keeps defenders guessing with his ability to get rebounds and create his own offense out of the net. His athleticism and length should carry him in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1411210"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fa4ac9a461b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Graves had a productive year getting experience on the hardwood with Northwood High and this past spring/summer, he was consistent with [program_tooltip program_id='2407474' first='Rising' last='Pros Training']. He averaged 5.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in 2023-24 and looks ready to turn a corner heading into his junior year at the anchor spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->