2026 Rankings Update: Top Small Forwards

<!-- 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 small forwards 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":"77247","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"97","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6834ebf5dfcf0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543201"],"_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-683757024ed40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Just cleared to return from an ACL tear that cost him his Junior season, Craig is going to be a name to watch this summer as he gets back on the floor. If he can get back to the guy who shot 49% from three as a Sophomore, he'll have colleges interested thanks to his 6'7 frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543323"],"_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-683757024edc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best players in the 12th region for the past few seasons, Kendall has scored A LOT of points in his career at Wayne County and shows no signs of slowing down. Phillips has a smooth game and can score the ball at every level. He's not going to blow you away with athleticism but has a very high basketball IQ and is comfortable both on and off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543600"],"_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-683757024ee3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jaymes is a Swiss army knife type of player because he does a little bit of everything for his team. Whether it's Male high school or Midwest Basketball Club, Clark is capable of impacting winning on both ends of the court and is an active defender who really applies pressure on opposing guards and wings. Clark doesn't jump off the court at you when watching him but multiple viewings help you to realize just how valuable he is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1901828"],"_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-683757024eea4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hutchinson has been a very solid player in the 12th region for the past few seasons. As a Junior, he led Southwestern in scoring at 16 points per game and made shots at a solid clip as he shot 35% from three and 44% overall. A wing with good size, Zach needs to continue to improve his defense and become a more active rebounder to reach his long term potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2320639"],"_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-683757024ef0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braxton is the best overall athlete on this list as he's a quick leaper who can finish above the rim. He's a solid shooter at 33% from three and 44% overall. Martin needs to add bulk to his wiry frame but he's got a chance to be a scholarship level player thanks to his impressive athleticism and great positional size at 6'7.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->