Updated 2026 Rankings: Forwards (20-13)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of some of the top power forwards and centers in the rising senior class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='2575694' first='Chris' last='Rochester'] | 6'7” PF | VA Academy (#97 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rochester is a player that I will admit I may have put too low after watching him at the DMV Live this past weekend, as he's a walking mismatch who can score it in a lot of different ways. At 6'7” he can step out on the perimeter where he can knock it down from deep at a good clip, he can put it on the deck and get by slower defenders to get to the rim, he makes tough shots in the midrange, and he can defend multiple positions with his length and athleticism too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='1963533' first='Ryan' last='Brzezanski'] | 6'7” PF | Briar Woods (#94 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2149720,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-05-at-2.27.11-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-05-at-2.27.11-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2149720" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brzezanski is another player that I think I have underrated in this update, as he has shown great development both in his game and athletically and could be a sleeper prospect, particularly if he takes another year. At 6'7” he can run the floor and has become much more explosive to play above the rim when he's around it, he rebounds well and has shown the ability to start the break, he can step out and knock down shots from deep, and he's a solid rim protector as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='1963396' first='Travis' last='Holloman'] | 6'7” C | Life Christian Academy (#78 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holloman has been one of the better bigs in the Richmond area since he was a freshman, and he's a guy who is consistently producing and is a guy who can put up big numbers but also impact the game in ways that don't show up on the stat sheet. He has soft touch around the rim and can step out and stretch the defense, he's a good rebounder who pursues the ball and rebounds well in traffic, he challenges and alters shots effectively, and he wins a lot of 50-50 balls showing his willingness to do the dirty work as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) Mar'Jaylen Jackson | 6'6” C | Albemarle (#76 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2874088,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Jackson-Marjaylen.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Jackson-Marjaylen.jpg?w=474" alt="" class="wp-image-2874088" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson was one of the biggest breakout players in all of VA this past season, anchoring and leading his Albemarle team to the Class 5 state championship game and emerging as one of the more consistently productive big men you'll come across. The 6'6” center is an absolute load in the paint who can clear out defenders offensively and clog the lane defensively, he has sweet feet and uses fakes and counters to get open looks, he has great touch with both hands around the rim and is very good in the elbow range as well, and he just always seems to be around the ball to make plays for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2252300' first='Darius' last='Gray'] | 6'6” C | St. Christophers (#74 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is considered by many as one of the best football players in the country and is highly touted by some of the best programs in college football, but let's not get it twisted, he's one of the best big men in the entire state as well on the hardwood. Gray has such a unique game as he has great feel and can find shooters and cutters when he's doubled in the post, he attacks the glass hard on both ends, he has great touch around the rim, and he can even handle the ball and use his size and feel to get out of traps and find players against the press too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='1542852' first='Ethan' last='Apergis'] | 6'8” C | Episcopal (#70 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2845549,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Ethan-Asparis-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Ethan-Asparis-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2845549" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apergis is part of an Episcopal team that is trending in the right direction and should be a problem next year in VISAA D-I classification, and he just continues to get better and more consistent as a late bloomer for coaches to watch. The 6'8” big is a tactician in the post with great footwork and a deep bag to score it in post ups, he can step out and initiate offense or make shots on the perimeter when they go five out, he can rebound and get extra chances on the offensive glass, and he's a vocal back line rim protector too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14) [player_tooltip player_id='1963395' first='Cameron' last='Prosper'] | 6'7" PF | Hayfield (#68 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prosper is a two sport star at Hayfield who, from sources, has recently decided to focus on basketball, and if he puts in the work he could be an absolute steal moving forward with his blend of athleticism and skill at his size. He's the perfect new age forward who can switch on the defensive end and guard multiple positions, he runs the floor and is a big time athlete when he gets downhill toward the rim, he's comfortable on the perimeter showing the ability to handle and make shots when he's open, and he still has a lot of room to develop moving forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13) [player_tooltip player_id='2347788' first='Merrick' last='Rillstone'] | 6'7” PF | South Lakes (#66 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rillstone took a big jump in these rankings after a great junior season with South Lakes leading them to another deep playoff run, and he is a unique and versatile prospect who can create a lot of mismatches and allow a team to run a lot of different looks with his skillset. At 6'7” he is a good athlete who can run the floor and play above the rim when he gets downhill, he can step out and knock down shots from deep, he's able to handle the ball on the perimeter and get to spots, and he can play and guard in multiple spots with his strength and ability to play inside too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->