Updated 2026 Rankings: New Faces (Part 1)

We recently updated our class of 2026 rankings, with a lot of new players taking what we often refer to as the "junior jump." Things have shaken up quite a bit, with over 40 new names being added to the rankings.   Here's a look at part one of the new faces in the junior class rankings.   #12) [player_tooltip player_id='2306290' first='Jhett' last='Carter'] | 6'5” SF | Hargrave   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImage2aTJvl.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImage2aTJvl.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2803849" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='2306290' first='Jhett' last='Carter'] (Right)</figcaption></figure>   Carter transferred to Hargrave where he played up on the prep team in the Elite Prep League, and he earned Second Team All EPL honors with his play and is being recruited by a number of division one schools already. The 6'5” wing checks the boxes physically and is an explosive athlete when he gets downhill, he is a good secondary ball handler and playmaker, he can make shots at multiple levels and is a competitor on both ends of the floor.   #41) [player_tooltip player_id='2624519' first='Stephon' last='Cherry'] | 6'4” CG | Hopewell   Cherry transferred to Hopewell this season and has been a big part of the Blue Devils success with his versatility and ability to play multiple positions at his size. He is a good ball handler who can create space and get to the rim off the bounce, he can make plays for others, he can knock down open shots and he can guard multiple positions too.   #65) [player_tooltip player_id='2788496' first='Isaiah' last='Harris'] | 6'1” PG | Albemarle   Harris has been a breakout player for Albemarle this year as they have been one of the best teams in Class 5, and the two sport star who also shines on the football field has been a huge reason for that. Harris is a dynamic athlete who thrives in transition with his speed, he puts relentless pressure on the defense, he's a good finisher in traffic and he's a very good on ball defender too.   #70) [player_tooltip player_id='2148734' first='Elijah' last='Gaskins'] | 6'1” PG | Patriot   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/462-Elijah-Gaskins.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/462-Elijah-Gaskins.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2167171" /></a></figure>   Gaskins has been the breakout performer for Patriot who were regional champs, and the way that he's played this year he's shown he's one of the top guards in all of NOVA public schools. A true floor general Gaskins is the type of player who sets the tone every time on both ends of the floor, he's a playmaker off the bounce in isolation and pick-and-rolls and he scores it efficiently from multiple levels.   #82) [player_tooltip player_id='2788498' first='Jacarri' last='Jones'] | 6'3” SG | Lake Taylor   The question came up before the season of who was going to step up for Lake Taylor as another go-to guy this year, and Jones answered that quickly and continued it throughout the season with stellar play on a very good team. The 6'3” wing took a big junior leap as he put up big numbers and scored the ball in a lot of different ways, he's an athletic two way impact guy who can defend the other team's best player, he can handle it in transition and he can knock down open shots from deep too.   #85) [player_tooltip player_id='2478844' first='Wyatt' last='Klein'] | 6'6” SF | Bishop Ireton   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Wyatt-Klein-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Wyatt-Klein-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2182441" /></a></figure>   Klein was a big part of one of Ireton's most successful teams in the past few years, and he was one of the guys who emerged among an already deep group of players who have helped rebuild the team over the last three seasons. The 6'6” wing filled a much needed role for them as a big wing who can play and guard multiple positions, shoot the ball very well from deep and hit the glass as well.   #92) [player_tooltip player_id='2780028' first='Jalen' last='Carter'] | 6'0” PG | Hargrave   Carter was one of two guards that transferred from North Carolina to Hargrave to help lead their varsity team to a Final Four appearance in the VISAA D-II classification, and he caught my eye with his ability to make difficult shots and make plays for others. He can get to spots off the bounce and has great footwork to get into his shot, he can knock down pull-ups in the midrange but can also hit them from well beyond the arc and he's crafty off the bounce to get in the lane too.   #95) Cameron Johnson | 6'1” SG | Fairfax Christian   Johnson was one of a number of new players who transferred to Fairfax Christian this season and he played a big role in their championship run as their sixth man and run starter. While he's slightly undersized for his position he is a shot maker who can spot up and knock it down from deep, he can put it on the deck and touch the paint, he gets hot quickly and he's an energizer bunny on the defensive end too.   #100) [player_tooltip player_id='1588148' first='Chuma' last='Achufusi'] | 6'1” SG | Episcopal   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Screen-Shot-2023-10-28-at-4.29.48-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/Screen-Shot-2023-10-28-at-4.29.48-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2258032" /></a></figure>   Achufusi had a great junior season for Episcopal, emerging as a prospect to keep an eye on moving forward in the IAC, and is part of a young backcourt with a lot of upside moving forward. While he's slightly undersized Achufusi uses his strength and athleticism to play much bigger than he is, he can play on or off the ball, he makes shots from multiple levels and he is a high IQ player on both ends.   #101) [player_tooltip player_id='2788503' first='Antonio' last='Williams'] | 6'3” CG | Granby   Williams was one of a number of players to take the junior leap in the 757 this year, and had a great season for a Granby team that's on the way up moving forward. At 6'3” he has great size for a combo guard and sees the floor very well when he handles it, he can make shots off the catch from deep, he's an athletic and crafty finisher at the rim and he rebounds well for his position too.

We recently updated our class of 2026 rankings, with a lot of new players taking what we often refer to as the "junior jump." Things have shaken up quite a bit, with over 40 new names being added to the rankings.