AAU 2026 Forward Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched a bunch of games online from around the country for some of the circuit teams that I have not seen yet with&nbsp;<strong>EYBL, Pro16, EYCL, UAA and 3SSB.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here are some of the 2026 Forward standouts I viewed</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612468' first='Cameron' last='Williams'] St. Mary's (Compton Magic 3SSB) (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long forward has skill for days. He rebounds well in his area high above the crowd and will score on offensive rebounds. He can score facing up from mid to the three with a pretty stroke and can rip thru at times. He moves well in space to defend on the perimeter plus will block shots in his area.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1741167' first='Kade' last='Snyder'] Sunnyslope (Compton Magic 3SSB)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thicker framed forward with skill and strength. He can comfortably face up to the three point line and battles hard for position inside the painted area. He can create a little off the dribble to score or get fouled.&nbsp;He is a stud rebounder in his area and he will block a shot. He seems to show you a little something different each viewing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2492665' first='Anthony' last='Granger'] Phhoenix Prep OTE ([program_tooltip program_id='2075793' first='Arizona' last='Select'] UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A super active power forward with budding skill. He is now stepping out and shooting the three better then he ever has and from mid-range. He is a high level shot blocker and a big time way above the rim finisher. He can power his way to the basket and use the floater game with a nice handle for position or rip thru quickly using his long strides.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1490240' first='Colton' last='Watson'] Sandra Day O'Connor ([program_tooltip program_id='2075793' first='Arizona' last='Select'] 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile defender and a natural slasher who takes long strides to the rim. He has a nasty spin move he utilizes to score in traffic. He can hit the catch three and post up a little with his size. He is great in the passing lanes and will finish off tough shots on the break with contact. He sees the court well for assists up the court and in the half court set.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323295' first='Brayden' last='Barrett'] Verrado ([program_tooltip program_id='2075793' first='Arizona' last='Select'] UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong framed wing forward will rattle in the three off the catch with a super quick release on his shot with good arc. He can get hot quickly and he holds his ground well in the paint to defend and rebounds at a good clip in his area.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2297971' first='Hale' last='Hansen'] Brophy Prep ([program_tooltip program_id='2075793' first='Arizona' last='Select'] UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A multiple positional defender is an out of area rebounder who can rip some pockets and take it the other way for the transition points. He can seal his man and flush it down quickly with his twitchy athleticism. He is very patient in the post and runs the floor for easy points. He is a sneaky good passer and his pull-up is quickly improving from mid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1697292' first='Rylan' last='Parsley'] Sandra Day O'Connor ([program_tooltip program_id='2075793' first='Arizona' last='Select'] UAA)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the tallest wing forwards in the state who can catch and shoot it from the three point line. He is very long in the passing lanes to collect steals and flush it down on the other end way above the rim. He can create a little and he had a couple breakout performances.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1875718' first='Melvin' last='Stubbs Jr'] Catalina Foothills ([program_tooltip program_id='2075793' first='Arizona' last='Select'] UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile wing forward who is a defensive dynamo. He is unselfish to a tee. He is always trying to make a play for a teammate and plays multiple positions on defense. He had some incredible blocks with great timing at its highest point.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956213' first='Ben' last='Lambe'] Pusch Ridge (Apex Athletix <strong>NxtPro</strong>) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A thicker framed forward scores off of cuts, and although a little undersized, he competes really hard inside the paint to rebound better then most and even block or alter shots. He has enough wiggle in his handle to create his own shot and score with fall aways and on offensive rebound put backs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1875584' first='Mykael' last='Nunez'] Canyon Del Oro (Apex Athletix NxtPro)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A skilled power forward who plays the right way. He often cuts when he should for layups and smartly plays off of the pick and roll game and will slip to the basket to finish with a nice touch around the basket. His game IQ and skill translates well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2492676' first='Omar' last='Rasul'] Salpointe Catholic (Apex Athletix <strong>NxtPro</strong>)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An undersized post player uses his football like build/frame to carve out space to rebound with two hands. He is a very good outlet passer and passes it well from the high post. He is starting to face up a little and can seal his man and go straight up without bringing the ball down. Despite his size, he is very effective as he brings his hard hat to every game.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1482164' first='Desean' last='Middlebrook'] Basha ([program_tooltip program_id='2863476' first='High' last='Major Pro16'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A super active forward from both sides of the court. He does not need to score a lot of points to affect an outcome. He grabs the 50/50 balls and rebounds in and out of his area consistently. He scores a lot of his points on put backs but he can also face up to the perimeter.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1950115' first='Alex' last='Taylor'] Desert Vista ([program_tooltip program_id='2075793' first='Arizona' last='Select'] UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hyper athletic forward who moves well in space to defend multiple positions and rebounds in and out of his area. He scores it in transition and around the basket with a quick leap up. He cuts to the basket to score and will dunk it or finish off tough layups and scores thru the contact.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2404559' first='Malaki' last='Cunningham-Hiadzi'] Tucson (Tucson Spartans UAA Rise) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A power forward plays from elbow and in effectively. The lefty will rip thru and go to work to score or earn it on the free throw line. He is very crafty and can spin off off his defenders thru the contact. He can handle the ball well for position.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2628074' first='Chudier' last='Dorar'] Phhoenix Prep OTE (All In Elite UAA 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rim runner with great size and length. He is very fluid to cover a lot of ground on defense. He rebounds and blocks a ton of shots. He will catch the lob pass and throw it down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->