2026 Rankings Update: The Small Forwards

Rankings coverage continues with a look at some notable Small Forwards in the Class of 2026!   Five of the Top 10 prospects in this class are Small Forwards. Four more crack the Top 25, including [player_tooltip player_id='2341312' first='Harrison' last='Aligbe'] who checks in at #20.   A jumbo wing at the Winchendon School, Aligble is a high level athlete that can score at all three levels while also proving to be a force on the defensive glass. He's had a strong start to the season, proving to be one of the top wing performers in the NEPSAC.    Below, we take a look at ten Small Forwards to watch from the Class of 2026:   [player_tooltip player_id='1297057' first='Jaymen' last='Townsend']   Townsend, a 6'6" wing at Putnam Science Academy, is an impressive athlete that does a good job of getting downhill and attacking the rim off the bounce. He can punish smaller defenders in the paint with his combination of positional size and strength, he's a capable ball handler that does a nice job of getting into his pull up game, and he's an instinctive cutter that can finish way above the rim. Defensively, he's ultra versatile, can guard four positions, and a physical rebounder in space.   [player_tooltip player_id='2407060' first='Stephen' last='Antwi']   A long and lean athlete at CATS Academy, Antwi is a wing that has untapped potential due to his physical gifts. He's a quick twitch athlete that can cover a lot of ground defensively, allowing him to guard multiple positions and make an impact around the rim as a shot protector. Offensively, he does a nice job of moving without the ball, attacking the rim as a cutter and finishing with authority. He even shows the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack bad closeouts.   [player_tooltip player_id='2453025' first='Trevor' last='Payne']   Payne, the 6'5" wing out of Tabor Academy, is a shot creator in the half-court with a good frame and some explosiveness off the bounce. He's a knockdown shooter from behind the arc, capable of getting into his shot as a cutter off the ball, running off screens, or running into top of the key threes in transition. He creates space off the bounce, showing that he can get into his mid-range game off pull ups and stepbacks, or get to the rim and finish through contact when he wants to.   [player_tooltip player_id='2634181' first='David' last='Flores John']   A left scoring wing from Cushing Academy, Flores John is a capable, multi-level scorer that shows some ability to create for himself and others off the bounce. He does a good job of running the floor in transition, either getting to the rim where he can finish with either hand or spotting up behind the arc where he's a high level shooter in catch and shoot situations. He makes good reads out of ball screens and can turn the corner off the bounce to get downhill as a creator.   [player_tooltip player_id='2396778' first='Grant' last='Cieplicki']   Cieplicki, a 6'5" forward at the Canterbury School, is a jack of all trades on the floor, providing scoring, passing, rebounding, and defense while making an impact on winning. He's a high IQ defender that can guard on the perimeter or in the paint. He does a nice job off the ball as a disruptor in passing lanes and shows the ability to wall up in the paint for force tough shots. Offensively, he can finish through contact at the rim and does a nice job as a spot up shooter from behind the arc.   [player_tooltip player_id='2696646' first='Ethan' last='Genetti']   The 6'6" wing out of Kingswood-Oxford School, Genetti makes an impact offensively as an inside-out threat. He has started to assert himself as a scorer in the paint, using his size to his advantage around the rim, while continuing to prove to be a threat from behind the arc as a shooter. He continues to improve defensively, showing the ability to guard multiple positions, rebound in traffic, and provide shot blocker from the help side.   [player_tooltip player_id='2553801' first='Josiah' last='Sims']   Sims, a 6'5" glass cleaner at Newington, is one of Connecticut's most impactful two way forces. A physical defender that can guard in space while also protecting the rim, he has an elite motor that allows him to contro, the defensive glass. Offensively, he does a good job of running the floor in transition, finishing through contact at the rim, and moving without the ball as a cutter. He also has the ability to dominate on the offensive glass as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2553805' first='Nicholas' last='Tarro']   A 6'4" wing at La Salle Academy, Tarro is a high IQ defender that does a good job of scoring in the open floor. His versatility shines through on the defensive end of the floor where he can guard on the perimeter or in the paint. He moves his feet well, is active in passing lanes, and does a good job of walling up in the paint without fouling. Offensively, he runs the floor in transition, can attack the basket as a slasher from either wing, and scores consistently around the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='2553829' first='Kody' last='Jamieson']   Jamieson, a 6'3" scorer at Marianapolis Prep, makes an impact on both ends of the floor with his athletisicm and basketball IQ. Another long and active defender, he's particularly effective in the open floor, using his length and quickness to his advantage to be disruptive on the ball and in passing lanes, turning defense into easy offense in transition. As a scorer, he does a nice job in catch and shoot situations, as well as attacking the rim in transition.   [player_tooltip player_id='2570758' first='Mabor' last='Riak']   A big 6'7" wing at CATS Academy, Riak is a high level athlete that continues to get better with each passing month. A long and rangy athlete, he does a great job of making plays off the bounce while attacking the rim. He's slippery in tight spaces, manuvering through multiple defender to make his way to the basket. He can finish with length at the rim, is a strong cutter off the ball, and provides versatility on the defensive end with his shot blocking and ability to move laterally to stay in front of the ball.   Keep an eye out for our next rankings update positional breakdown, a look at 2026's power forwards!

Rankings coverage continues with a look at some notable Small Forwards in the Class of 2026!