2026 Rankings Update: Top Centers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have gotten through Memorial Day and are ramping up to the start of "summer ball" in the coming days. AAU season is more than halfway over and July will be here before you know it. It's time to update our rankings, starting with the class of 2026. These rising Seniors have seen a lot of movement over the years and have had a few players transfer out of state. Here's a look at the highest ranked Centers in this update. This does not include players who were covered in the Top Ten Article or any of the other breakdowns we have already published.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77243","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"97","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6834ebeb59a47"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2357272"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68363f52bf986"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ateny is a prospect who has a literal high ceiling thanks to his height but also has a chance to be a really good player at the college level thanks to his size and ability. A good shot blocker who continues to improve on offense, Geu has shown the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter as well as score around the bucket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2610096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68363f52bf9e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amari made a transfer from Bourbon County to GRC last fall and found himself settling into a role as a back to the basket forward, averaging 8 points and 6 rebounds per game for the season. Bartelson has long term potential as he will get stronger and could still be growing. Don't be surprised if Amari finds a path at the Junior College level and ends up at the D1 or D2 level after a couple of years at Juco.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1564305"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68363f52bfa30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seth is a bruiser in the low post who has legitimate skill around the bucket and knows he can step out and shoot the ball when given the opportunity. In order for Farmer to maximize his prospect ceiling, he's going to need to become more active as a rebounder but I think Seth can do just that. With his size and willingness to get physical, Farmer could be a steal at the D2 or NAIA level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543353"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68363f52bfa74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson is a very big X Factor because he's come back from a torn ACL and is playing AAU this spring and summer with a heavy brace on his knee. If Klope gets back to his old form, don't be surprised if he ends up the first region player of the year. Definitely a kid I hope to see in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543591"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68363f52bfab6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Recovering from a torn labrum that ended his high school basketball season, Close is committed to Louisville for football. On the court, Bryten is a very skilled big man with a high IQ and good hands and feet. Taylor County definitely missed him down the stretch after he had his shoulder surgery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->