Updated 2026 Rankings: Wings (15-6)

The highly anticipated new edition of the class of 2026 rankings have finally been released, with over 140 players in the rankings, including over 40 new players to the list!   We'll take a look at positional rankings between guards, wings and big over the next week or so. Here's a look at part two of the wings rankings, lookin at some of the best shooting guards and small forwards in the class.   15) [player_tooltip player_id='2459361' first='Caleb' last='Straughter'] | 6'7” SF | Varina (#41 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagemf5wJR.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagemf5wJR.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2566649" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Straughter took a big jump in the rankings this time around after a great summer with Team Richmond and preseason with Varina, and he's one of the most high upside prospects in the Richmond area right now. At 6'7” he's likely still growing and getting more and more athletic as he grows into his body, he has long arms to get deflections and challenge shots, he can knock down shots off the catch from deep and is consistently improving his ability to create off the bounce.   14) [player_tooltip player_id='2561115' first='Jack' last='Castner'] | 6'4” SG | Western Albemarle (#40 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ5RcAg.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ5RcAg.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2566650" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Castner makes his debut in the rankings after a big summer and preseason that put him on the map as one of the best public school prospects in the Charlottesville area. The 6'4” off guard has prototypical size with long arms and a frame that should fill out nicely, he is a dead eye shooter from deep with a high release and deep range and he's a smart player who understands concepts and makes the right play consistently.   13) [player_tooltip player_id='1591319' first='Gabriel' last='D'Allesandro'] | | 6'3” SG | Miller School (#39 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   D'Allesandro was set for a big junior season after transferring to Miller from cross town rival STAB to join their high pace three-point heavy attack, but unfortunately he got hurt in the preseason and might miss the entire season. However, his play this summer showed a lot of growth as he shot the ball at a high clip, was very aggressive looking for shots on and off the ball and he showed an uptick in motor defensively as well.   12) [player_tooltip player_id='2612850' first='Jafet' last='Valencia'] | 6'6” SF | Evergreen Christian (#37 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Valencia is another new name on this list, and he's one who could move even further up this list as he's one of the more intriguing prospects I came across during the preseason at the CBG events. At 6'6” he's got a grown mans body with true guard skills as he can handle it and create space, he makes shots on the perimeter, he can attack off the bounce where he's a good finisher and playmaker and he can guard multiple positions too.   11) [player_tooltip player_id='2252296' first='Davion' last='Brown'] | 6'4” SF | Trinity Episcopal (#35 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Brown would likely be higher on this list if he wasn't one of the most highly touted receivers in the country so basketball isn't his primary sport, but he can flat out hoop and dominate at this level and would likely be a division one basketball player if that's what he focused on. He's a superb athlete with a strong frame and the ability to get downhill at will, he can knock down shots from deep at a good clip and he is a good defender as well.   10) [player_tooltip player_id='1782684' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] | 6'1" SG | Westfield (#31 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagep2xkJY.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagep2xkJY.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2562161" /></a></figure>   Brown is part of that very talented Westfield group I've been mentioning, and he's been their go to guy from day one with his ability to score the basketball effortlessly. While he's a little undersized he gets good elevation when he gets to spots in the midrange, he has a quick release with good feet and the ability to make shots on the move and he can create in isolation and get to the rim where he's a strong finisher through contact too.   9) [player_tooltip player_id='2612827' first='Logan' last='Jones'] | 6'6” SF | Potomac School (#27 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Jones makes his debut after a huge summer with Potomac School at DMV Live and the Capitol Hoops Summer League, where he showed he has a ton of long term potential as he continues to develop his game. At 6'6” he has great size on the perimeter and is a big time athlete who plays above the rim effortlessly, he's a very good rebounder on both ends, he has good ball skills that are developing nicely and he plays with a fantastic motor on the glass and the defensive end where he can guard multiple positions.   8) [player_tooltip player_id='1782689' first='Faron' last='Friend'] | 6'5” SG | Glen Allen (#23 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2437049" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Friend was one of the breakout player in Richmond last year after becoming the go-to guy for Glen Allen, and he followed it up with a big summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2248971' first='River' last='City Reign'] where he showed continued development and was dominant. At 6'5” with long arms he looks the part and has all the physical and athletic tools that translate to the next level, he uses his size to shoot over defenders in the midrange, he can drill it from deep and he just knows how to score the ball in many different ways.   7) [player_tooltip player_id='2612817' first='Colin' last='Byrd'] | 6'4” SG | Paul VI (#20 Overall)   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Byrd came into the summer as a relatively unknown player, but after DMV Live he showed he's going to play a huge role for this new look PVI team that looks to compete for another WCAC title. Byrd fits the “3 and d” archetype to an absolute t, as he brings great energy defensively and isn't afraid to guard the other team's best player, he knows his role offensively and shoots it at a high clip from deep and he's willing to do all the little stuff to help his team win without needing the ball in his hands much.   6) [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] | 6'5” SG | Bishop O'Connell (#16 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_2893.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_2893.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2493804" /></a></figure>   <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol>   Edward was another player who had a big summer after a breakout sophomore season at West Potomac, and with his move to the WCAC he'll be able to show all his tools that translate against better competition. At 6'5” he's a well built and athletic wing who checks the boxes physically and athletically, he's dynamic in transition with his ability to run and play above the rim, he can create shots off the bounce for himself and others and he's a very good rebounder for his position too.

The highly anticipated new edition of the class of 2026 rankings have finally been released, with over 140 players in the rankings, including over 40 new players to the list!