Market Corrections: 2026 Significant Stock Boosters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season is just around the corner.&nbsp; We have had a busy fall seeing players in various settings including camps, workouts, and open gyms.&nbsp; In our Market Corrections series there are two types of movement.&nbsp; First are new players that are moving into the rankings from the evaluations this fall.&nbsp; The second is prospects that made “significant” moves up the board.&nbsp; We will be breaking down both of these areas for each class along with the reasoning from the fall evaluations that made them names we wanted to correct before the season gets underway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are <strong>Market Corrections: 2026 Significant Stock Boosters</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617428' first='Mason' last='Lockett IV'] (Oswego East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Lockett, one of the top wings in the state, showcased his elite athleticism and skill set. His explosive first step allows him to blow past defenders and finish at the rim with authority. Lockett's well-rounded scoring ability, from mid-range to beyond the arc, solidifies him as a true three-level scorer. Combined with his high basketball IQ, he consistently makes smart plays, positioning himself as a standout on both ends of the court.” – Teddy Bahu from Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] (Alton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stampley is one of the players that every time I look at the 26 rankings I feel we should have higher.&nbsp; He is a strong and powerful scoring guard that really impressed us this summer with Alton during June.&nbsp; He is coming off a big sophomore campaign and has a chance to be one of the best players in the metro east this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617399' first='Jayden' last='Madden'] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“At 6'9 Jayden has slowly become one of the better rim protectors in the state. His mobility on the court has improved since the last time I watched him. Madden had a good day swatting many shots at the basket. He's improved on his timing and anticipation of shots near the rim. I can say most of this is because he's becoming more coordinated as he matures. It shows on offense as well because he sets his feet quicker and gets off the ground better for dunks. Jayden will become a big piece to a state run for Bolingbrook this season and it will come from his defense.” – Steve Parham from Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617400' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] (Yorkville Christian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Riley was the top junior point guard at the event and he lived up to that billing right from the beginning.&nbsp; Perhaps the best playmaking lead guard in his class as he can really dish the rock.&nbsp; Made dump off passes and overall sound dishes on a consistent basis.&nbsp; Makes those around him better.&nbsp; As a scorer he has a strong frame being able to get in the lane for acrobatic conversions along with knocking in mid-range pull ups and extending it out to three.” – Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323319' first='Colton' last='Hawkins'] (Carterville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Hawkins is a two guard that can really shoot the basketball.&nbsp; Shined in the drills portion with his clean release and pure shooting stroke.&nbsp; Has some potential to play on the ball as well.” – Pure Sweat Fall Showcase</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1845364' first='Morgan' last='Travis'] (De La Salle)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Travis is another name that each time I scroll the rankings and then think about the consistent production we have seen from him with the Meteors during his young career he should be higher.&nbsp; With the graduation of quite a few seniors on the perimeter we expect Travis to have a monster junior campaign!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617455' first='Stephen' last='George'] (St. Francis de Sales)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“George might have been the biggest breakout big man at the camp.&nbsp; First of all he has transferred from De La Salle to St. Francis de Sales for his junior year.&nbsp; George is a wide bodied 6'6” center that absolutely mauled on the glass both offensively and defensively throughout the camp.&nbsp; Was very effective getting second chance points on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Finished around the hoop carving out space and powering his way up and through opponents.&nbsp; Seemed lighter on his feet and more mobile than we remembered.” – Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617434' first='Myair' last='Thompson'] (Kankakee)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Thompson is a point guard that brings such a smoothness to his game along with his acrobatics finishing at the rim.&nbsp; Quick off the bounce getting in the lane for an array of soft touch finishes.&nbsp; Crisp pull up game which included draining the game winner in sudden death overtime.&nbsp; Also loved the intensity he brought on the defensive end as an in your face defender in a camp setting.” – Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617366' first='Carter' last='Newsome'] (Waukegan)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Newsome is a true floor general that will be the heart and soul of Waukegan this upcoming season.&nbsp; He is a savvy lead guard that makes plays for himself and others.&nbsp; Hit mid-range jumpers along with a sweet side step three in the game we caught.&nbsp; Quickness off the bounce getting in the lane.&nbsp; Despite his lack of ideal size he gets after it on the defensive end getting in his opponents grill for steals.” – Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617430' first='Matthew' last='Szafoni'] (Lane Tech)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The 6'7” post from Lane Tech intrigued us during June and we were happy to get another eval of him.&nbsp; First thing that stands out is he has legit size and a solid build.&nbsp; Very fluid working in the pick/roll as he converted several buckets on rolls to the hoop.&nbsp; Has skill to his game hitting mid-range jumpers and showing he can handle a little as well.&nbsp; Definitely an intriguing young big man to track!” – Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2617385' first='Drew' last='Lundberg'] (West Aurora)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Lundberg is a two guard from West Aurora that impressed us over the spring/summer with 88 West and did more of the same at the EXPO.&nbsp; He is a 6'4” wing that can really shoot the basketball.&nbsp; He has a clean release and consistent mechanics along with plus positional size.&nbsp; One of the better pure catch and shoot guys in the 2026 class.” – Prep Hoops EXPO</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->