Updated 2026 Rankings: Wings (15-6)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the recent update of our class of 2026 rankings, we will take a look at positional rankings between guards, wings and forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part two of the top shooting guards and small forwards in the junior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='2561115' first='Jack' last='Castner'] | 6'4” SG | Western Albemarle (#42 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2566650,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ5RcAg.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ5RcAg.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2566650" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Castner broke onto the scene last year for Western and coming off a good summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2078813' first='VA' last='Premier'], he stepped it up and was even better as a junior, arguably the best public school player in the Charlottesville area. The 6'4” wing is one of the best shooters you'll come across with deep range and great form, he knocks it down at a very consistent rate, he has long arms to get deflections defensively and he has a great IQ as a player who makes the right play every time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14) [player_tooltip player_id='2624519' first='Stephon' last='Cherry'] | 6'5” SF | Hopewell (#41 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cherry transferred to Hopewell this season and was a big part of their group that went to the VHSL Class 3 semifinals before falling to Spotswood, and he's a very intriguing prospect with his blend of size, athleticism and skillset. At 6'5” he has great ball skills and can get to the rim where he's a good finisher, he can play off the ball and can knock down shots as a spot up shooter and he can make tough shots in the midrange as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13) [player_tooltip player_id='2612840' first='Abraham' last='Taft'] | 6'5” SF | Hampton (#37 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taft was an important role on the Crabbers state championship team as a sophomore, showed a lot of improvement in a more focal role as a junior, and his long term upside is very intriguing as he continues to develop over the next few years. The 6'5” wing has all the physical and athletic tools with prototypical size and long arms, he's a bouncy athlete who plays with a good motor as a rebounder and defender, he's shown improvement in his perimeter skill set and he still has a lot of room for growth moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12) Isiah Brown | 6'1” SG | Westfield (#33 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2562161,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagep2xkJY.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagep2xkJY.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2562161" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown has been a big part of Westfield's rebuild as a program, as he's been a starter from day one and really set the tone for the culture that they have built, as well as being one of the top scorers in NOVA public school ball. While he's a little undersized as a two guard he's strong enough to defend and rebound against bigger players, he is a tough shot maker off the bounce, he can catch and shoot it from deep at a high clip and he has a competitive chip you can't teach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11) [player_tooltip player_id='2252296' first='Davion' last='Brown'] | 6'4” SF | Trinity Episcopal (#30 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2724456,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagevnO3O1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagevnO3O1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2724456" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown would be much higher on this list if basketball was his main sport, however he's a nationally ranked wide receiver who is being touted by every major football program in the country, but he'd be a division one basketball player if that's what he focused on. He's clearly a big time athlete who flies in transition and plays well above the rim, he can create for himself in isolation situations, he can knock down shots from deep and he is a very good defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) [player_tooltip player_id='2612850' first='Jafet' last='Valencia'] | 6'6” SF | Evergreen Christian (#29 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valencia is another intriguing prospect who is emerging in the DMV area, and he's set to have a big summer with Team Durant this year and should turn heads for coaches with his unique skillset at his size. The 6'6” wing is a true bucket getter who can work from multiple areas on the court, he's great in triple threat and can get to spots with limited dribbles and make tough shots, he is able to finish at the rim and attack the offensive glass and he's a mismatch who can play and guard multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) [player_tooltip player_id='2612827' first='Logan' last='Jones'] | 6'6” SF | Potomac School (#27 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones was a breakout player over the summer in the Capitol Hoops Summer League and DMV Live, and he continued that play throughout his junior season as he was a walking double-double and mismatch all year. At 6'6” he's their biggest player and with his motor he's able to hit the glass on both ends and can start the break, he plays above the rim effortlessly, he can hit open shots from deep and in the midrange and is able to switch and guard almost every position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) [player_tooltip player_id='1782689' first='Faron' last='Friend'] | 6'5” SG | Glen Allen (#24 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2437049,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageCmqZ4v.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2437049" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friend has emerged as one of the top scorers in the Richmond area over the past few years, and his physical and athletic tools are ones that translate well to the next level too. At 6'5” he has prototypical size for the division one level, he's able to make shots from deep off the catch and off the bounce with little to no room, he can handle and create in pick-and-rolls and he has a ton of upside as a defender too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) [player_tooltip player_id='2459209' first='Justin' last='Edwards'] | 6'5” SG | Bishop O'Connell (#20 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2493804,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_2893.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/IMG_2893.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2493804" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards transferred to O'Connell from West Potomac after a huge sophomore season, and he steadily saw his role get bigger and bigger throughout the season and was huge for them in their run to the state championship game before losing in a heartbreaker to Highland School. Edwards is a well built wing who already has the frame to play at the next level, he does a lot of little things defensively and making the hustle plays that lead toward winning, he can score it from all three levels without needing the ball in his hands much and he is a good rebounder for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) [player_tooltip player_id='2612817' first='Colin' last='Byrd'] | 6'4” SG | Tuscarora (#17 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byrd was a breakout performer at Paul VI during last year's DMV Live which got him on this list, and after battling for playing time he transferred to public school Tuscarora midseason and was so good he earned First Team All State honors in just that time. Byrd should see his recruitment really pick up this summer, as he fits an archetype that every coach looks for now-a-days as a “3 and d” wing. He brings great energy defensively and can guard the other team's best player, he is a knock down shooter from deep, he is strong enough to get downhill and finish and he's a competitor who brings it every time he's on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->