2026 Rankings: Players Poised For An Impactful Senior Year

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have identified several players in this edition of the rankings who I believe will have a stock rising senior season…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314148' first='Cleo' last='Bolar']</strong> (6'0/CG/'26/Escambia County HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Daofficialbull</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @BullBolar</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cleo is a backcourt talent who can play on and off the ball. He excels at all three levels, is confident from deep, comfortable in the midrange, and fearless attacking the rim. He adjusts seamlessly to his team's needs, whether initiating the offense as the lead guard or operating as a primary scoring threat off the catch. Cleo is undoubtedly the key playmaker and offensive engine for his team. Cleo is a player who has been talked about for a couple of years because of his playmaking abilities. The conversation surrounding him now is about whether he can lead his team to the blue map.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313904' first='Antwane' last='Daniels']&nbsp;</strong>(6'2/CG/'26/Auburn HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: saucegod81</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Antwane has grown in many ways over the years. Yes, he has improved his skill set as a versatile scoring option, but he has also grown in his confidence level in being a scoring threat and one who can go and get a bucket at any point of a possession. He can create his own shot off the dribble, hit contested jumpers, and score efficiently in isolation. His footwork, balance, and body control have improved, helping him to create space with and get his shot off in tight spaces and when being tightly guarded. If Auburn is going to make a deep playoff run, it will be done on the back of Antwane. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832717' first='Kaleb' last='Carson']</strong> (5'10/PG/'26/Homewood) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @KCarson10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #53</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kaleb is a high-energy lead guard with electricity pumping through his veins and an emerging PG IQ. He has really good court awareness, the ability to adjust mid-stream when plays break downs, really good set-up ability, and the ability to distribute the rock to his teammates once he has created opportunities for them. His play is going to be vital for the Patriots next year as they eye a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455014' first='Finn' last='Hecklinski'] </strong>(5'10/CG/'26/John Carroll HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: finnhecklinski</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @FinnHeck_4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #65</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Finn is one of this class's most talented and efficient three-point shooters. He will be looked upon to provide senior leadership and perimeter scoring next year. He is an iron-willed competitor with a finesse game and can change the momentum of the game at any moment with his ability to get hot from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2339496' first='Riley' last='Kent']</strong> (6'1/CG/'26/Spain Park HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: rileybkent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @rileybkent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #82</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I spoke with Coach Black towards the end of the season, and he was extremely high on Riley and what he can bring to the team in his senior year. He has the capacity to be an offensive threat, and teams will have to have a game plan to contain him. Riley's skill set is undeniable, as he can score and orchestrate and make others around him better in the process. It will be interesting to see if Riley can step into that leadership role for the Jaguars, but make no mistake about it, he has the capacity to do so.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314071' first='Royon' last='Spears']</strong> (6'3/CG/'26/Jasper)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: royonspears10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @royonspears10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #90</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Royon will be key for the Jasper squad, as they will move more to a guard-oriented team with the departure of 6'9 [player_tooltip player_id='2294845' first='Miller' last='Moody']. With the emergence of the lethal sniper [player_tooltip player_id='2194997' first='Keegan' last='Keeton'] and his scoring prowess from deep, Royon's ability to create off the bounce and put pressure on the rim will be a complimenting piece to the Viking's backcourt. There were some rumblings that Royon would enter the 'transfer portal' but nothing much has come out of those rumors. If he stays at Jasper and has the confidence to be a creator off the bounce, whether for himself or his teammates, then Jasper will have a formidable backcourt to deal with.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->