2026 Stockriser Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we continue our preseason previews, it's important to check in with some stock-rising candidates outside the top 35 of our 2026 player rankings that have a chance to have a breakout season. Some of these prospects step into bigger roles because of graduated players that were ahead of them in the rotation, some have transferred into a new situation, and some have just rapidly improved since the end of last season to take the driver's seat. In the DMV area there is so much talent that it's easy to get overlooked, let's break down some of the players we think will step into the spotlight this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782656"],"_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-67378a6c5547d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Physical downhill driving guard proved his value this summer on a Cavaliers group that graduated a ton of guard depth this offseason. Moultrie has improved his body, gotten better on the ball defensively, and continually works his way to the free throw line. The handle has tightened to allow him to get to his spots more easily and he's more comfortable hitting pull-ups in the paint or around the FT line. His movement shooting has always been consistent, want to see the same fluid motion on C+S looks and from the line-- but Moultrie seems in line for a big season this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2242055"],"_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-6735981fb7752"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-One of our favorite utility players in the area, Radusans has added in more speed and has grown an inch or two since the start of last season to serve as a versatile piece that can play 3-5 for the Cougars. Radusans has proven that he can hit shots as a pick n pop threat but has also added to his finishing bag around the rim on his rolls to the basket. His understanding of the game sticks out as a help defender that knows when to stunt at ballhandlers and when to tag, playing free safety off the ball to bait opponents into throwing passes he can steal or not throwing passes before his teammate can recover. Think he has some secondary play-making ability from the wing that hasn't been unlocked yet on a roster full of guards, but that should change this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2620491"],"_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-6735981fb77cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Joy landed on a JR team that graduated a ton of depth and scoring that will need him to create easy looks for himself and others off the bounce. Joy can knock down open perimeter looks, deliver pocket passes in the paint to his bigs for easy buckets, and play-make from a standstill from the wings. His competitive nature and work ethic should help the Tigers build good habits in practice to lead to positive in-game execution. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252275"],"_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-6735981fb7793"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Bailey steps into a bigger role with the Lions this season as the primary creator (and probably scorer) of a young but deep STA team. Bailey can mix defenders to get to his spots off the bounce or sit behind a screen to drill 3s. Already a solid midrange shooter, I would like to see him add in a consistent elbow pull-up to take advantage of the momentum-shifting that his defender undergo on his drives to the rim. He's beginning to see more of the complex passing reads on side ball screens and when he gets 2 feet in the paint. How efficient he is and how well he takes care of the rock will be key to their success offensively throughout the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2453744"],"_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-6735981fb780c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Soumaoro has a chance to turn heads this season as an athletic wing prospect that can hit open shots, finish plays above the rim, and serve as a mobile small ball big defensively. Soumaoro moves to space well off the ball to serve as a C+S target as his teammates make their drives to the basket but also times his dives to rebound in the paint well before the shot goes up. His versatility at both ends of the floor should be key for a Meade Mustangs group looking to chase another ring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2546118"],"_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-6735981fb7669"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Olofintila is a raw, physical 3/4 tweener to watch on a dangerous Loyola team that could turn some heads this winter. He's athletic, plays with a motor at both ends of the court, and attacks the glass to win extra possessions for his team. Think he has some potential as a face-up scorer from the high post and has shown that he can be a pretty effective straight line driver from the wings. If he can improve his touch around the basket and add in more shot-blocking ability around the paint-- his value will only increase</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2148707"],"_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-6735981fb76d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We wrote about Beal in both our WCAC Preview and our GC Open gym visit but he's shown some flashes as a wing prospect with a a balanced skillset that remained unranked in our last update. He's playing more assertively with his drives off the bounce, C+S looks from the elbow, and both on or off the ball defense as a versatile wing that can guard multiple spots. With several key pieces graduating, there will be more opportunity for him to earn extended minutes for longer stretches that will allow him to settle into the flow of the game and show what he can do. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->