Top new Forwards from 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 rankings update last week saw over 20 players make their debut in our list, in this article I'll break down seven of those prospects from the forward position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2838786"],"_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-685aeb9a0cf08"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A physical post prospect, Gregory provided rebounding, toughness and most importantly strength for OBC on the New Balance Circuit. Considering these factors in his game, it's no surprise FBS football programs were interested in Gregory as he committed to Toledo to continue his football career. If Gregory was a basketball first prospect, I'd expect scholarship programs to target him to add some physicality to their frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2873990"],"_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-685aeb9a0cfa3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top jumpers in Ohio, Willow won the state title for high jump as a sophomore and placed again at the state meet as a junior. The mobile and vertically explosive big man can throw down alley-oops, putback dunks and roll hard to the basket with his size. Willow has some intriguing upside due to his physical tools and played a big part in Arlington's regional title run last season on the hardwood. Expect Willow to be one of the hotter small college forward recruits from northwest Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2833864"],"_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-685aeb9a0d01a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another small town prospect, Arick is one of the tallest players in Ohio and provides a very unique dynamic that you especially don't see very often from a small town. Showing flashes on the Prep Hoops Circuit, Arick can block shots and get second chance points thanks to his height and length. We've wrote about Arick a few times and he's sure to get interest at the college level purely off his height but his production should keep these schools interested and give him a chance to play sooner rather than later at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617822"],"_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-685aeb9a0d085"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Centennial has a nice mix of talent this season and Diedalis got some quality experience at the varsity level last season and enters this year as a senior leader for their group. Diedalis can space the floor and rebound, two very important skills for forwards at the college level. If Centennial is going to compete for a city league championship, Diedalis will be a key part of their team as an experienced senior leader in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2877443"],"_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-685aeb9a0d0f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I noticed Larrison for the first time at the Ohio State team camp as he impressed with his perimeter shooting, size and vertical pop as an athlete. Larrison was productive for an Upper Arlington squad that has expectations to win a region this season with a strong 2026 core. I think Larrison could be a senior year stock riser if what I saw at Ohio State's team camp translates to the winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2882201"],"_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-685aeb9a0d15a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I caught Rice at the University of Dayton team camp and he impressed with his motor and interior scoring ability. Springfield has a chance to be one of the top teams in the GWOC this season with an excellent mix of senior leadership and young talent. You could tell Rice was confident with how aggressive he was attacking downhill and surprising the defense with his quick moves to the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2401674"],"_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-685aeb9a0d1bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Huson was one of the more productive players in his conference last season, finishing 4th in scoring and 14th in rebounding. Hudson has a strong frame and can score off the short roll, offensive rebounds or as a cutter. I expect small college programs to look at Hudson as a potential depth piece for their frontcourt and he should be one of the top small school players in the greater Dayton area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->