2026 Rankings: Stock Risers

This group of players—Jackson, Ryan, Braiden, Howard, and Grant—has put in the work to raise their stock and stand out in competitive rankings. Each brings a unique skill set to the floor, but what unites them is their relentless effort, growth, and dedication to improvement. Jackson has honed his identity as a true corner specialist, consistently knocking down threes under pressure. Ryan, the crafty lefty, balances perimeter shooting with fearless finishing in traffic. Braiden has evolved into a modern stretch big, spacing the floor while anchoring the defense in the paint. Howard uses his strength and physicality to dominate inside with elite efficiency, and Grant delivers reliable scoring and shooting that shows up every game.    [player_tooltip player_id='2829743' first='Jackson' last='Nez'] emerges as a sharp‑shooting wing, known around the perimeter—particularly in the corners—where his catch‑and‑shoot ability from deep marks him as a reliable three‑point threat. With poised mechanics and a quick release, he pops from the designated corner spots, spacing the floor and punishing closeouts. His specialty lies in creating open looks off the pass or spot‑up situations, where his consistent accuracy helps stretch defenses and open lanes for teammates.       Ryan is a crafty left-handed guard who brings elite shooting and finishing to the Kruse Elite organization. From beyond the arc, he consistently knocks down triples—especially in rhythm and catch‑and‑shoot scenarios—making him a reliable perimeter weapon. His left-handed release gives defenders mismatch issues, enabling him to create clean looks or space for himself. Inside the paint, he displays fearless finishing ability: absorbing contact through traffic and using body control and touch to convert tough looks around the rim.     Braiden has blossomed into a versatile stretch big, a modern matchup nightmare on both ends of the court. On offense, he consistently knocks down threes from the perimeter with fluid mechanics and confidence—stretching defenses out past the arc and opening driving lanes for teammates. With good footwork and shooting touch, he spaces the floor while still being ready to operate inside when needed. Defensively, he anchors the paint with presence—showing quick rotational instincts, strong timing in weak-side shot deterrence, and physicality on the boards.     Howard brings a physical, imposing presence to the court—using his strength and body control to power through contact and finish efficiently at the rim. With his strong frame, he consistently wins battles in the paint, converting tough looks around the basket with authority and reliability. Howard's finishing arsenal includes drop-steps, power hooks, and straight-line dunking—each executed with control and a keen sense of balance. Beyond his aggressiveness, he's remarkably efficient: he picks his spots wisely, minimizes wasted movements, and shoots at a high conversion rate inside the arc.     Grant is a natural scorer with a smooth shooting stroke and a consistent offensive presence that translates game after game. Whether spotting up from deep or pulling up in rhythm, he shoots it with confidence and efficiency, making him a reliable threat from beyond the arc. Grant's ability to score in a variety of ways—off the catch, off the dribble, or within the flow of the offense—makes him a steady contributor regardless of the opponent or environment. His poise and basketball IQ allow him to adapt to different game styles while still producing, and his consistency makes him a go-to option and a player coaches can depend on night in and night out.

This group of players—Jackson, Ryan, Braiden, Howard, and Grant—has put in the work to raise their stock and stand out in competitive rankings. Each brings a unique skill set to the floor, but what unites them is their relentless effort, growth, and dedication to improvement. Jackson has honed his identity as a true corner specialist, consistently knocking down threes under pressure. Ryan, the crafty lefty, balances perimeter shooting with fearless finishing in traffic. Braiden has evolved into a modern stretch big, spacing the floor while anchoring the defense in the paint. Howard uses his strength and physicality to dominate inside with elite efficiency, and Grant delivers reliable scoring and shooting that shows up every game.