2026 Rankings: There Is A New #1-Ranked Player

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The updated 2026 rankings are here and the #1 and #2 spots have new occupants…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2696950,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Gage-Mayfield-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Gage-Mayfield-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2696950" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313889' first='Gage' last='Mayfield']</strong> (6'6/G|F/'26/Hale County HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: 5stargoon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Gage is the new #1-ranked player in the 2026 class as he has become, in one word, special. The growth in his game and how he produced throughout last season made it very easy to move him into the top spot. A raw and highly athletic kid who did not know how talented he was in camp about two years ago has worked to become one of the state's top dynamic offensive weapons and relentless scorers regardless of class. I just got a phone call about a week ago discussing Gabe and how he stands nationally among the elite 2026 players. Look for Gabe's stock to skyrocket this spring and summer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2714861,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Jackson-Sheffield-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Jackson-Sheffield-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2714861" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Hoover Basketball Program Hoover Basketball Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2224458' first='Jackson' last='Sheffield']</strong> (6'9/C/'26/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jackson_sheffield32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @jsheffield2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jackson moves into the #2-spot in the rankings as he has started the grassroots season out on a tear. He has emerged as one of the most dominant forces in the state and the nation with his violent dunks and shot-blocking ability. His offensive game on the low-block has increasingly improved, and he can be an anchor on defense with his rim protection. He finishes lobs with authority and has a relentless motor on the glass. Look for Jackson's stock to continue to rise as he runs with Team Thad this off-season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2634002,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Jay-Green-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Jay-Green-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2634002" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958553' first='Jay' last='Green']&nbsp;</strong>(6'0/PG/'26/Ramsay HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: bamajay8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @iam_jaygren8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jay is getting a lot of talk this off-season as he is one of, if not the first, to make his commitment to where he will be taking his talents to the next level. The heady lead guard who elevates his team's play has decided to take his talents to Alabama A&amp;M. With Ramsay's coach being let go, there are a lot of questions surrounding Jay, and the main one is whether he will stay at Ramsay.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2643647,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Jayddence-Ford-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Jayddence-Ford-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2643647" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2245661' first='Jayddence' last='Ford']</strong> (5'8/PG/'26/Central-Phenix HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jayddenceford_3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jayddence, despite being a small lead guard, came in and helped Central-Phenix make it to the Final Four. Along the way, he had some games with some huge numbers, showing his ability to be a dynamic scorer from behind the arc as well as off the bounce. He is an incredible shot-maker and proved to be a high-level scorer. Whether he is executing a pick-and-roll, leading a fast break, getting a bucket, or orchestrating the half-court offense, Jay makes the right plays at the right time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2833385,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Tucker-Hyatt-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/PH-Tucker-Hyatt-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2833385" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Average Joe Sports / Deedra Pike, Average Joe Sports / Deedra Pike</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2363206' first='Tucker' last='Hyatt']</strong> (6'8/CG/'26/Hayden)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Tuckerhyatt4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tucker is a combo guard prospect with positional size and very good length. He likes to score the ball and is pretty aggressive in doing so, as he can put up points in chunks. He has scoring instincts and the versatility to thrive on or off the ball. He is confident from deep, comfortable in the midrange, and fearless attacking the rim. With his size, he does a good job scoring over the top of defenders, and he also takes advantage of mismatches, which he often sees.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2808312,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/PH-Pearce-Boone-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/PH-Pearce-Boone-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2808312" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Average Joe Sports / Deedra Pike Average Joe Sports / Deedra Pike</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1961231' first='Pearce' last='Boone'] </strong>(6'5/G|F/'26/Providence Christian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @pearceboone12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ranking: #14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Pearce moved from the #32 spot to the #14 spot, and a lot of his movement came as a result of his play during the playoffs. Pearce is a shooter with a high basketball IQ, plays unselfishly, and is a really good floor-spacer. He can go for huge numbers as he showed on the biggest stage of the year as he shoots over defenders from behind the arc and in his middle game. He rebounds his positions, gets his teammates involved, and brings a complete offensive arsenal and fierce competitiveness to every game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->