Updated 2026 Rankings: Forwards (5-1)

<!-- 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 three of some of the top power forwards and centers in the rising senior class rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) [player_tooltip player_id='1810739' first='Da'Kylan' last='Hill'] | 6'8” PF | Massanutten (#13 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2731777,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagejBOwgB.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagejBOwgB.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2731777" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill transferred to Massanutten from Georgia where he played up on their post grad team that was nationally ranked throughout the year, and he was a huge reason for that with his consistent production in the paint. At 6'8” he plays even bigger than he is as he's a fantastic rebounder who gets position and pursues the ball in traffic against bigger defenders, and his relentless motor on the glass allows him to get extra possessions and pull down timely rebounds. He has great touch around the rim and is very efficient scoring in the paint and the high post area, he does all the little things to help his team on both ends of the floor, and he provides constant energy on both ends of the floor for his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) Ladarius Givan | 6'9” PF | Petersburg (#12 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2561006,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageu7OoOL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageu7OoOL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2561006" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Givan was already a Mississippi State commit heading into his junior season at John Marshall last year, and he was a big part of John Marshall's run to another state championship as part of the best front court in the state. The 6'9” forward is one of the more talented players you will come across, as he has ridiculous athleticism for his size to impact the game on both ends of the floor, and he has the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting touch as well. He is a big time finisher above the rim whether it's on lobs or drop steps, he has great timing as a shot blocker, he rebounds well on both ends, and he has spurts where he looks unstoppable on the court too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) [player_tooltip player_id='1370507' first='Shane' last='Pendergrass'] | 6'8” PF | Hargrave (#8 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2756673,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagemEMM56.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImagemEMM56.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2756673" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pendergrass transferred to Hargrave last season from the DMV area where he started for their post grad team that made the Elite Prep League Championship game and qualified for the National Prep Championship, and despite dealing with some injury problems he was voted Third Team All American in the National Prep ranks. The 6'8” forward has been dynamite this summer now that he's healthy, showing off his versatility as a walking mismatch that can score the ball in a lot of different ways. He's a very good shooter for his size both off the catch and he can create space off the bounce from deep and in the midrange, he's strong and athletic in the post to be able to clear out space and finish above the rim, he's really improved as a rebounder pursuing the basketball more on both ends, and he's able to get hot and take the game over at any given moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) [player_tooltip player_id='1633067' first='Marcis' last='Ponder'] | 7'0” C | Gillion Academy (#3 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2626745,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ponder is part of a group of transfers to Gillion Academy from the Team Breakdown organization in the school's second year of existence, and they made it very clear at DMV Live that they will be one of the best teams on the Grind Session with him leading the way. It sounds crazy to say this, but he really plays like a high school Shaq with his blend of size, strength and athleticism. He was not only dominant in the paint on both ends of the floor, he literally concerned event operators every time he dunked the basketball because it looked like he was going to take the basket down with him. Ponder is a man amongst boys in the paint with his ability to clear out space and use his strength to finish in the paint, he's very explosive for his size, he clogs the paint defensively and makes you pay for coming down the lane, and on top of that he has soft touch around the rim and at the free throw line too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) [player_tooltip player_id='1782682' first='Latrell' last='Allmond'] | 6'8” PF | Petersburg (#2 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2857497,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Allmond-Latrell-TL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Allmond-Latrell-TL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2857497" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Allmond has been one of the best prospects in the state since his freshman season, and he's now getting the bump in national rankings that I believe is well deserved and quite a bit late as someone who has seen his impact first hand over time. While he's been dominant since he was a freshman, one of the most impressive things about him is how hard he's worked and how much he has improved throughout his high school career so far. At 6'8” he's a dominant paint presence who plays with physicality and is athletic enough to play above the rim, but he's developed his game to be able to play on the perimeter and with the ball in his hands as well. He's been shooting the ball very well from deep throughout the summer, he is starting to face up and be able to put together counters to get to the rim, he is a monster on the glass and as a rim protector, and he brings such a competitive chip and winning mentality to every team he's on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->