2026 Rankings Update: Top New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday marked a fresh update to our class of 2026 rankings in Southern California and there were more than 20 new names added to the mix. Below we break down some of the top new additions to the junior class in SoCal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1702934' first='Tyran' last='Stokes'] | Sherman Oaks Notre Dame</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stokes made the transfer move from Prolific Prep in NorCal to Notre Dame in SoCal and immediately checks in as the No. 2 prospect in this latest rankings update. The nationally-ranked, 6-foot-7 wing, is one of the more physically imposing and dynamic athletes in the country and, when you combine that with his elite skill-level, you have one of the makings of one of the country's top players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2628542' first='Howie' last='Wu'] | St. John Bosco</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wu has come a very long way in his development since we first saw him as a freshman at Heritage Christian. The 7-foot-plus center is the starting five-man for one of the best teams in the country and his defensive impact as a rim protecting presence will not go unnoticed by scouts or opposing teams. Wu has also improved his offensive game and is a capable finisher out of the dunker spot and knocks down free throws with consistency and touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2622346' first='Mamadou' last='Traore'] | San Gabriel Academy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Traore's combination of motor, athleticism and physicality makes him one of the top newcomers to our rankings. The 6-foot-3 wing is the definition of a slasher and scorer. He's in constant motion without the ball, gets out and runs the floor in transition and has the ball skills to attack downhill to his right hand and score through or above contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2622343' first='Nick' last='Giarrusso'] | Oaks Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Giarrusso is one of the more underrated playmakers in Southern California. The 6-foot-4 junior has great size for the position and his feel and basketball IQ as a primary ball handler and creator is up there among the best in the region. Giarrusso uses his size, ball skills and vision to create for himself and teammates off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2622332' first='Will' last='Malual'] | Crean Lutheran</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malual stands out because of his ability to impact the game inside on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-8 center has back-to-the-basket feel and touch with his right hand when scoring on dump-off passes or post touches. Defensively he uses his length and mobility to protect the rim and deter an creation attempts in the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->