Updated 2026 Rankings: Biggest Risers (Part 1)

With the updated version of our class of 2026 rankings coming out, it's time to look at some of the changes we have in the new version. We added over 25 new players to the rankings, with a lot of movement based on last high school season and the spring as well. Throughout the week we'll be putting out content on new faces, biggest risers and positional rankings as well.   Here's a look at part one of some of the biggest risers in the updated senior class rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1767550' first='Andrew' last='Maria'] | 6'5” SG | Bethel Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Maria-Andrew-crop-944x620-1749855010.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Maria-Andrew-crop-944x620-1749855010.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2881638" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #46   Current Rank: #25   Maria jumps into the top 25 in the updates, as he's been one of the most improved players in the DMV over the past few years and has been showing it on the 3SSB Circuit with the Washington Warriors this spring. He's always been a highly skilled wing who can score it efficiently and make plays for others, and now he's grown into his body and is looking very athletic to go along with it. He has been scoring it from all three levels, showing his ability to play on and off the ball, and his understanding of the game on both ends will translate well to the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2459361' first='Caleb' last='Straughter'] | 6'7” SF | Varina   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Straughter-Caleb.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Straughter-Caleb.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2872165" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #49   Current Rank: #29   Straughter continues to impress and improve over the past few years, as he has a lot of tools that translate to the next level with a budding skillset to fit multiple archetypes. He has long arms and since growing into his he's become more explosive as a finisher. He's shown improvement in his ability to make shots on the move and against close contests, he's improved in his ability to put it on the deck and create in the half court, and with the trajectory of those improvements coupled with his prototypical size he's looking like a late bloomer that could be a steal at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2618837' first='Christian' last='Dinges'] | 6'6” SF | John Handley   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Dinges-Christian-crop-1039x683-1749283347.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Dinges-Christian-crop-1039x683-1749283347.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2878070" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #70   Current Rank: #35   .Dinges is another player we've seen rapid development over the past year, as he's grown to a legit 6'6” and has become highly explosive as a two way impact player in that time. He was a Class 4 All State selection helping lead Handley to a state tournament appearance, and while he's adding to his game every day he still has a lot of upside ahead of him too. He's shown the ability to isolate mismatches and take defenders off the bounce where he can use his size and athleticism to finish through contact, he can stretch the floor and make tough shots in the midrange, and he's shown the ability to stuff the stat sheet and guard multiple positions too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2252298' first='Mathias' last='Lee'] | 6'6” SF | Westfield   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/IMG_0127.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/IMG_0127.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2874353" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #54   Current Rank: #38   Lee has been one of the more underrated players in the NOVA public schools over the past year or so, and he moves up the rankings after a big junior season and a great spring with Local Legends RVA. The 6'6” forward provides tons of versatility and mismatch opportunities, as he can play both on the perimeter and in the paint with good athleticism to guard multiple positions. He is a very good shooter from deep who can stretch the floor and open driving lanes, he hits the glass on both ends and can rebound over bigger defenders, and he can play through traffic in the paint too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2618835' first='Carter' last='Bullock'] | 6'3” SG | Catholic   Previous Rank: #124   Current Rank: #64   Bullock being so low could be attributed to the fact that I hadn't seen him very much, but after a good junior season for Catholic, a good spring so far on the grassroots circuit and the fact that Catholic loses a lot in the backcourt next year, I'm expecting a big year from him coming up. The 6'3” lefty can do a little bit of everything offensively, as he can play on or off the ball and he can score it from multiple levels too. He is quick and dynamic off the bounce to get downhill and to get to spots in the midrange, he can knock down shots from deep off the catch, and he's a good on ball defender as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2347788' first='Merrick' last='Rillstone'] | 6'7” PF | South Lakes   Previous Rank: #88   Current Rank: #66   Rillstone has been a big part of South Lakes success the last two years winning the state championship in 2024 and getting back to the championship last year, and as he's grown and developed we have taken notice. The 6'7” forward provides a valuable mismatch option, as he can guard and rebound in the paint and he's skilled enough offensively to take defenders out on the perimeter too. He shoots it well off the catch to stretch the defense, he can handle in transition and in isolation situations, and he is a good passer for his position too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2788498' first='Jacarri' last='Jones'] | 6'3” SG | Lake Taylor   Previous Rank: #79   Current Rank: #69   Jones has had a great spring on the MADE Hoops Circuit with Team Push, and following a breakout junior season he's looking like one of the sleepers in the 757 area. The 6'3” guard is well built and strong already for his age, and he's a natural athlete with a quick first step and explosive finishing ability when he gets downhill. He's a legit three level scorer who an make shots off the bounce and off the catch, he has huge potential to be a lock down defender at the next level, and as a late bloomer he looks like he could still be developing and be a steal at the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2605296' first='Messiah' last='Dixon'] | 5'10” PG | Fairfax Christian   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImageng69OW.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImageng69OW.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2801389" /></a></figure>   Previous Rank: #149   Current Rank: #71   Dixon was put in the rankings when I was told about him and I watched some of his film, then when I saw him in person leading Fairfax Christian to another VISAA D-III state championship it was clear that the film did not do him justice. Despite his diminutive size, Dixon controls the game like many guards can't, with his mix of IQ, tenacity and quickness that makes him one of the more consistently impactful guards in the DMV. He gets after it defensively as he can guard the length of the floor and has quick hands to pick pockets, he's dynamic in transition with the ability to push the rock and make plays for others, and he's a talented shot maker who can negate his size and make tough shots from multiple levels.

With the updated version of our class of 2026 rankings coming out, it's time to look at some of the changes we have in the new version. We added over 25 new players to the rankings, with a lot of movement based on last high school season and the spring as well. Throughout the week we'll be putting out content on new faces, biggest risers and positional rankings as well.