Stock Rising Guards: Triad Region C/O 2026

North Carolina's Triad (Greensboro/High Point/Winston Salem), home to several well-established, consistently competitive programs, is often overshadowed by the flash the Triangle (Raleigh/Cary/Durham) and Piedmont (Charlotte/Lake Norman) has to offer.   And let's make one thing clear; there are some big-time prospects and programs in Raleigh and Charlotte. There is no doubt about it. But still, for some reason, the 336 is routinely overlooked when it comes to scouting the best prospects and programs N.C. has to offer.   At Prep Hoops, our goal is to debunk that way of thinking. There are hidden gems in every corner of the hoop state, and it is our job to find them. I think I've found five. Let's take a closer look at a starting lineup of 2026 stock rising guards from the Triad you should get to know.    Class of 2026 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2101618' first='Miguel' last='Ribeiro'] (Forsyth Country Day) crept his way into our official rankings in January 2025. As of now, Ribeiro's ranking is listed as waitlisted (#WL). That is nothing to be discouraged about. The class of 2026 is loaded with talent from top to bottom, and the junior guard has plenty of time to continue keeping his head down and working to elevate his ranking.   At 5'8", [player_tooltip player_id='2101618' first='Miguel' last='Ribeiro']'s height is his most notable physical attribute. While several scouts may see this an an immediate turn off, I see something different. What I've seen from Ribeiro throughout his basketball career tells me he's developed an arsenal of skills and style of play that minimize his short stature. Ribeiro is a floor general in every sense of the word. He's got an elite handle, is a pass-first kind of guard and is a crafty finisher at the rim. Ribeiro plays a physical brand of basketball on both ends of the floor that is admirable for a prospect his size. I'd like to see him work to develop more consistency in his outside shot, specifically from behind the three-point line. If he can force defenders to play up on him, he can become a legitimate scoring threat with his quick first step and ability to finish at the rim. A lot of people are going to overlook Ribeiro because of his size. Don't make that same mistake. Watch this kid play. He's got a Boston Celtics [player_tooltip player_id='1409592' first='Isaiah' last='Thomas'] way about him that could be valuable for a respected program at the DII/DIII level when his time comes.     We've got [player_tooltip player_id='1259506' first='Hunt' last='Murfee'] listed at 5'6" here. Simply put, he's grown about six inches since then. Standing now at a solid 6'0", Murfee's physical development has transformed his game into an elite ball handling point guard who spreads the floor nicely for Mount Tabor.   I like to compare this Mount Tabor roster to the University of North Carolina's. The Spartans are a guard heavy team with a a nice mix of experienced veterans and new, unproven prospects. With that being said, the key to Mount Tabor's success the past couple years and there vision as a program is the development of their young players. That's where class of 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1259506' first='Hunt' last='Murfee'] comes in. [player_tooltip player_id='1259506' first='Hunt' last='Murfee'] is one of the most complete prospects I've seen in the class of 2026. He's an elite three level scorer, lock-down defender, and vocal leader on both ends of the floor. Murfee is a consistent outside shooter who has showcased his range and ability to create shots for himself along the perimeter. I'd like to see Murfee continue to work on his body this season and into next. He's still at the 165-170 mark, and I think getting to a lean 180 would do him wonders. If he can put on some extra muscle without losing his quickness and versatility as a scorer, he. can be a real problem for opposing teams to try to contain. Mount Tabor is stacked with solid guard play, so be patient for [player_tooltip player_id='1259506' first='Hunt' last='Murfee'] to emerge, but he's on the come up.     [player_tooltip player_id='2303346' first='Isaiah' last='Long'] is a prospect I've had my eye on for a while now. A Burlington, N.C. guy, Long attends Cummings, a school with a historically well-respected basketball program.   What I like most about [player_tooltip player_id='2303346' first='Isaiah' last='Long'] is his length. At 6'2", Long's physical presence sets him apart. His length and athleticism allows him to play 1-3 on both ends of the court and stretch the floor. Long is an elite finisher at the rim and has worked to develop a nice mid-range game. He plays with a patience and poised that is rare for a prospect his age. Long is a high IQ guy who takes care of the basketball and finds ways to get himself in a nice rhythm offensively. I think Long can improve on the defensive side of the floor. He's proven he can be a reliable second option scorer on a Cummings roster with a ton of talent. I'd like to see him take the next step as a defender. His size allows him to matchup with opposing teams guards and gives him a physical advantage nine times out of 10. He just needs to embrace his physicality and commit to playing with tenacity on that side of the ball. Keep an eye out for [player_tooltip player_id='2303346' first='Isaiah' last='Long'] this year. I think he'll be off the waitlist and right in the thick of our rankings this time next year.     Circling back to Mount Tabor is where we find 6'3" combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2303266' first='Will' last='Koonin']. I've heard colleagues describe his style of play as a Swiss Army Knife. I could not agree more.   At 6'3", Koonin is a well-sized combo guard whose versatility defines hime as a basketball player. He's a dominant scorer under the basket and around the perimeter, has the ability to step up as a lock down defender when his team needs him to and perhaps most importantly is an unselfish team player who does whatever it takes to win. I think it is fair to say that Koonin does the most damage when he's looking to score and attack the basket. With that being said, that's not always what this Mount Tabor team needs. Koonin's ability to adjust his style of play and mesh well with a multitude of different lineups throughout four quarters shows his maturity and discipline as an emerging prospect on a loaded team. [player_tooltip player_id='2303266' first='Will' last='Koonin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1259506' first='Hunt' last='Murfee'] are the future of Mount Tabor's backcourt. These are two prospects that will play a critical role in maintaining their success in the Triad during the regular season and when it's time to compete with the best programs in N.C. during the playoffs. Stay patient, but keep an eye out for these two anytime they share the court together. It will be a nice glimpse as to what's to come.     [player_tooltip player_id='1832695' first='Chance' last='Crews'] is a bit of a more established prospect in this week's post. Coming in at #193 in our official rankings, Crews has solidified himself as a respected combo guard in the class of 2026. There's still a ton of room for growth.   I like to think of [player_tooltip player_id='1832695' first='Chance' last='Crews'] as the Jrue Holiday of N.C.'s class of 2026. He's a strong, athletic guard who prides himself on being an elite defender. Crews' athleticism leverages his game to new heights when you think of what he can become as a scorer. He's proven he can finish through contact at the rim and create shots for himself but has not done it yet at a consistent basis where opposing teams scout him as an elite three level scorer. I think that has the ability to change. Crews' defensive ability and leadership as a guard will always be his two best attributes. With a developed scoring mindset, he can become a three-dimensional player that is just as effective on both sides of the floor. I look forward to seeing him take this next step.

North Carolina's Triad (Greensboro/High Point/Winston Salem), home to several well-established, consistently competitive programs, is often overshadowed by the flash the Triangle (Raleigh/Cary/Durham) and Piedmont (Charlotte/Lake Norman) has to offer.