Updated 2026 Rankings: New Faces (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 new faces in the rising senior class rankings.   #3) [player_tooltip player_id='1633067' first='Marcis' last='Ponder'] | 7'0” C | Gillion Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/eZy-Watermark_23-10-2024_02-09-24-5290PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/eZy-Watermark_23-10-2024_02-09-24-5290PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2626745" /></a></figure>   Ponder, along with the next three new additions, are transferring to Gillion Academy in NOVA, a new program that started last year, all coming from West Oaks in Florida in connection with the Team Breakdown AAU program that started a DMV program last year as well. This will shake things up quite a bit in the DMV area, as Ponder is a nationally ranked prospect being recruited by some of the top programs in the country, and is one of the most dominant post players in the country. He's an absolute load at 7'0” who is physical and tough in the paint, he's surprisingly quick for his size, he has soft touch around the rim, and he is a capable of ripping down back boards at any given time as well.   #7) [player_tooltip player_id='2134664' first='Willie' last='Burnett'] | 6'3” CG | Gillion Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/eZy-Watermark_23-10-2024_02-09-40-4480PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/eZy-Watermark_23-10-2024_02-09-40-4480PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2626744" /></a></figure>   Burnett is another nationally ranked prospect that will join this Gillion group on the Grind Session, and he's one of the more dynamic guards you'll come across in the entire country. The 6'3” combo has blazing speed in transition and is a big time finisher above the rim when he gets downhill, he can move off the ball where he can work off screens and knock down shots from deep on the move, he can make tough shots from multiple levels off the bounce, and he makes a lot of plays on the defensive end of the floor too.   #9) [player_tooltip player_id='2134650' first='Jayden' last='Joseph'] | 6'2” PG | Gillion Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/eZy-Watermark_16-10-2023_02-47-55-7910PM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/eZy-Watermark_16-10-2023_02-47-55-7910PM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2243009" /></a></figure>   Joseph is another big time prospect coming to Gillion, and he's had a monster spring seeing his stock raise on the national level and will be one of the top floor generals on the Grind Session next season with this group. The 6'2” lead guard is a dynamic playmaker who sees the floor and makes great reads, he can deliver on point passes with both hands, he touches the paint with his shifty handle and deceives defenses with his eyes, and he knows when to take over as scorer who can create and make shots at multiple levels.   #20) [player_tooltip player_id='2879940' first='Aaron' last='McGee'] | 6'4” SG | Gillion Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/DSC0395-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/DSC0395-rotated.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2853908" /></a></figure>   McGee rounds out the four Breakdown kids coming to Gillion, and he was one of the top scoring wings in the Melbourne, Florida area and is another division one prospect that will add firepower to this group next season. The 6'4” wing has great positional size and is a big time athlete who can play above the rim in transition, he can drill it from deep off the catch and on the move, he can get to spots in the midrange and get to the rim where he can finish downhill, and he has the ability to get hot quickly and fill it up in bunches when he gets it going.   #61) [player_tooltip player_id='2879944' first='Dominic' last='Mack'] | 6'5” SF | Potomac   Mack comes to Fairfax by way of Germany and after watching him this spring there's a lot of intriguing qualities to him as a prospect that coaches should look at, particularly if he chooses to do a post grad year following his senior season. Standing 6'5” with long arms and a frame that should fill out he checks all the boxes physically, he's a fluid athlete who can run the floor and moves his feet well on the defensive end, he can knock down open shots and put it on the deck to get downhill, and he has huge upside on the defensive end too.   #76) [player_tooltip player_id='2791029' first='MarJaylen' last='Jackson'] | 6'6” C | Albemarle   <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>   Jackson played a huge role in Albemarle's run to the VHSL Class 5 championship game before losing a heartbreaker to Green Run, and while he may be a little short as a five man he's an absolute load in the paint and one of the more productive big men you'll come across in the state. He knows how to move off the ball in the paint and also use his size to create space to finish on the block, he has great hands to catch tough passes and soft touch to finish with both hands, he is highly active on the glass and walls up well defensively, and he uses great footwork and fakes to get defenders off their feet.   #106) [player_tooltip player_id='2879978' first='Da'Mari' last='Carter'] | 6'1” CG | Varina   Carter was a Second Team All Class 4 selection in the VHSL this year helping lead Varina to another state championship game where they lost to Atlee, and if he wasn't such a highly recruited football player he'd probably be much higher on this list. Even though basketball is his second sport Carter is an absolute menace on the court as he is a dog on the defensive end who pressures the ball and jumps passing lanes regularly, he is a highlight reel finisher in transition, he can score it from multiple levels on or off the ball, and he brings great energy to his team on both ends.   #109) [player_tooltip player_id='2879984' first='Jamari' last='Edwards'] | 6'0” CG | Lake Taylor   Edwards was a Second Team Class 3 All State selection for a Lake Taylor team that made a good run to the state tournament, and he's one of the best shooters you'll come across in all of the 757. While he isn't the biggest guy on the team Edwards has deep range and a quick release with great form that makes him deadly from deep, he can attack off the bounce and in ball screens to get downhill where he can score it well in the midrange, and he's a good defender both on the ball and jumping passing lanes too.

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.