Rankings Release: Forwards to Follow

We continue our positional breakdown for the Class of 2026 by taking a look at some notable Forwards.   After checking in on the Wings earlier this week, today we turn our attention to prospects that make most of their impact on the paint, with two-way versatility to match.   From prospects inside the Top 25 to ones sitting on the Watch List, here's a look at ten Forwards that appeared in our latest rankings update.    Aligbe, an uber versatile forward from St. Andrew's School in Rhode Island, checks into this update at #25. At 6'8", he has great positional size and a versatile skillset that compliment it. He can operate as a decision maker out of DHO actions, makes plays in the mid-post as a scorer and passer, and finishes through contact at the rim as an off ball cutter. He continues to consistently knock down shots from behind the arc, scores in isolation situations by creating space off the bounce, and has the ability to finish above the rim in space. On the other end of the floor, he does a good job of making his presence felt on the defensive glass. He's attracting a lot of attention at the Division I level and has all the tools needed to be a mid-major player.     Riak, an athletic hybrid forward from CATS Academy in Massachusetts, makes an appearance in this update at #49. Incredibly long, he has plus positional size and is a fluid mover in space. He does a nice job of playing with a high motor, has a great activity level on the defensive end of the floor, and is a capable shot blocker when coming from the help side. Offensively, he runs the floor well, uses his length to finish at the rim, and does a nice job of knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations. He's a solid straight line driver, can operate as a screen and pop guy, and does a nice job of making the simple play instead of foricing the issue. He's a definite scholarship prospect with the tools needed to play at the Division I level.     Birden, a jumbo hybrid forward out of South Kent School in Connecticut, appears in the rankings at #50. At 6;9", he has exceptional positional size and length, while also showing some nice athletic pop in the paint. He runs the floor well in transition, knocks down shots in catch and shoot situations, and can finish plays above the rim as an off-bal cutter. He moves well in space, has a huge catch radius, and uses his athleticism to his advantage as a finisher. He continues to take steps as a creator with the ball in his hands. Defensively, he uses his length well and has the ability to guard on the wing or in the paint. He's a Division I prospect that, if he puts it all together, could see his recruitment reach the highest of levels due to his combination of size, skill, and athleticism.     Jabbi, a versatile two-way forward out of the Kent School in Connecticut, holds the #102 spot in this rankings update. At 6'6" with a solid frame, he has the ability to defender a variety of positions on the floor. He moves his feet well laterally while also playing with a high motor on the defensive glass. Offensively, he runs the floor well in transition, has the ability to finish with either hand through contact, and does a nice job of finding soft spots as a roller in ball screen actions. As a driver, once he gets downhill he's a tough cover as he plays with great strength and a solid base. Scholarship schools should take notice this summer.     Rushin, a physical forward out of Northwest Catholic in Connecticut, joins the rankings at #162. A long and lean 6'5", he's incredibly active on the defensive end of the floor, using his length to advantage. He generates plenty of deflections in passing lanes, walls up without fouling when guarding in the post, and is able to offer some rim protection when coming from the help side. Offensively, he does a great job of running rim to rim in transition, sets solid screens on the perimeter, and has the ability to score around the rim and in the mid-range. His effort level on both ends of the floor stands out and is what should eventually make him a solid college player.     Angyal, a high IQ forward out of the Taft School in Connecticut, makes an appearance on the Watch List. A high academic and high IQ prospect, the 6'8" forward is as fundamentally sound of a big man as there is in the region. He finishes with great touch around the rim, has the ability to put the ball on the floor for multiple dribbles out of the high post and from the dunker spot, and is an instinctive cutter. He has the strength to finish through contact in the paint, makes some high level passes in the half-court, and can even knock down the occasional perimeter jumper. Defensively, he rebounds at a high level and does a nice job talking on that end of the floor. He's a scholarship prospect that could have wide ranging interest from academic programs.     Morrow, a skilled scoring forward out of St. Andrew's School in Rhode Island, joins the rankings as a member of the Watch List. A solid athlete, he can play with his back to the basket or as a face up forward on the perimeter. He's at his best attacking the basketball, both off the bounce and as a cutter, and does a nice job of finishing with strength and creativity in the paint. He plays with a high motor, isn't afraid to be physical on the defensive end of the floor, and can operate as a grab-and-go rebounder that initiates the break. His recruitment should take off once coaches get the chance to see him play with St. Andrew's.     Geren, a versatile hybrid forward out of Choate Rosemary Hall, checks into the rankings on the Watch List. A prospect with the tools to score from all three levels, he's a high level athlete that does a great job of using his physical gifts to his advantage. As a scorer, he has the ability to knock down shots from well behind the arc, easily gets into his mid-range game where he elevates over the defense as a scorer, and is smooth when attacking the rim off the bounce, finishing with length in the paint. Defensively, he has the versatility to defend four positions while showing the ability to make plays in passing lanes and to protect the rim. He should be on the radar of scholarship level programs this summer.     Nosek, a smooth shooting hybrid forward out of Cushing Academy, makes an appearance on the Watch List in this update. A 6'8" floor spacer, he has an elite skill in his ability to shoot the basketball. Whether coming off screens, playing out of the trailer position in transition, or putting the ball on the floor to create space, he does a great job of getting into his shot and finishes with a high release. He's an instinctive cutter that does a nice job of using his length to finish at the rim. Defensively, his length is his best asset, but he also shows a good understanding of angles and positioning. He's quite lean, but has the tools to play at the scholarship level and should be able to prove so at Cushing.     Spurrier, a skilled scoring forward out of the Taft School in Connecticut, checks into this update with a spot on the Watch List. A high IQ forward, he makes good decisions with the basketball in his hands, showing the ability to attack bad closeouts and finish over size at the rim. While he's an under-the-rim finisher, he has the ability to score at multiple levels and does a nice job of playing at different speeds to keep defenders off balance. He can operate as a roller or pop guy out of screens, makes good passes on the move, and isn't afraid to mix it up on the offensive glass. He should have wide ranging interest and will be a key piece on what looks to be a talented Taft squad.

We continue our positional breakdown for the Class of 2026 by taking a look at some notable Forwards.