Class of 2026 Watchlist: Players to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summer ball has wrapped up, showcase season is right around the corner, and before we know it, the regular season will be here. With that in mind, let's spotlight a few seniors whose names you need to know. Each of these players had a strong summer and is poised to play a major role for their team this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552461"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6892ec7e9343e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lengthy and active lead guard who makes a consistent impact on both ends. Excels at getting downhill off the dribble and disrupting plays defensively with his energy and instincts. A top player in his class who has played varsity since his freshman year. Earned All-Conference and All-Area honors as a junior. Nearing the 1,000-point milestone heading into his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2485331"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6892ec7e9349a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Three-year varsity starter with All-Conference and All-Area honors. Confident floor general who changes speeds well and has the craft to get to the rim. Shows a feel in the pick-and-roll, setting up ball screens with patience and delivering passes to the post. Has a solid handle and touch on runners and floaters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Berndt brings defensive energy with quick lateral movement, active hands, and the anticipation to jump passing lanes and push in transition. While he owns a respectable outside shot, he looks to create inside-first as a playmaker. He's continued to develop his frame in the weight room this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2415521"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6892f1e545874"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A skilled and competitive combo guard who's taken real strides in his development. Snyder improved his handle this past season, allowing him to take on more point guard duties and facilitate when needed. A natural lefty scorer with three-level ability, he has a knack for creating his own shot and finishing with craft. He lives in the gym and is poised for a breakout year, with expectations to average close to 20 points per game. Viewed as the second option on his team, but capable of taking over when the moment calls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2323262"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6892ec7e934ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An athletic lead guard who's clearly elevated his game, this 2026 prospect brings a relentless motor and next-level confidence. He puts constant pressure on defenses with his aggressive downhill attacks and creative ball-handling. He embraces full-court defensive intensity with a 94-feet mentality and thrives in both scoring and facilitating roles. His ability to break down defenders and finish through contact makes him a tough cover, while his willingness to share the rock shows his growth as a floor general.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2482184"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6892ec7e93536"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Three-year varsity starter and All-Conference/All-Area selection. Holds offers from McHenry County College, Augustana, Carthage and Aurora University. A versatile forward who can put the ball on the floor and power through defenders on drives. Capable of stretching the floor—knocks down the three when given space. Athletic finisher with dunking ability and good timing on rolls into soft spots in the defense. Regarded by Coach McCloud as one of the best athletes he's coached.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"PJ Lehr","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Glenbard South","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6892f1e545981"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true “pulse” guy who sets the tone on both ends of the floor. Lehr brings nonstop energy, competes with toughness, and defends with pride. He's capable of scoring in bunches when needed and has shown the ability to take over stretches offensively. With a young team around him, his leadership and poise will be critical this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->