Top Stock Risers from 2026 Rankings Update Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 rankings update didn't see a ton of movement but some players did make leaps up our list thanks to strong summer performances, in this article I'll break down seven players who made moves up the rankings this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1708690"],"_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-68a67eb0e01fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='2320052' first='All' last='Ohio Red'] qualified for the PIT after they finished the EYCL season as one of the top teams in their division. Bates was a crucial piece to that team with his ability to score the basketball and set the table from the point guard position. Playing for his dad at the high school level, Bates sees the game at an advanced level and has winning characteristics. Concord offered Bates before the July live periods and I'd expect more scholarship programs to come calling throughout his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2205099"],"_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-68a67eb0e0259"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Russell has been a complimentary piece for one of the top teams in central Ohio the past two seasons. This year, he's the leader of the Pacers program with the talent and experience to contend for an OCC player of the year award. Russell was dominant at midwest live with dynamic play on the ball. I think this type of career trajectory is perfect for a player to hit the ground running at the college level. Russell watched as back-to-back seasons Delaware Hayes was led by MAC commits as he played a sidekick role to some of the best players in the state. Now as a senior Russell will be the one his teammates rely on to close games, create shots and lead on the defensive end of the floor. I still expect Delaware Hayes to be extremely competitive in the OCC this season with Russell leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1379130"],"_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-68a67eb0e029f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Recruitments are just starting to take shape for a lot of 2026 prospects and Alexander is no exception. Picking up an offer from Roberts Wesleyan, a Division II program in Rochester, NY this week. Alexander brings a toughness on both ends of the court that's hard to find. Playing with numerous players with Division I offers on Spire's post grad team, Alexander will get the opportunity to practice with talented players and go against top post grad competition all season to continue to increase his exposure and recruitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2458397"],"_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-68a67eb0e02e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hemphill had his best weekend I've ever seen him play in July for Nova Village as he was really productive on the offensive end of the court. A strong big who has the strength and athleticism to bang in the paint, Hemphill was taking players off the dribble and showing more skill with the basketball than I'd seen before. A dual sport athlete, Hemphill is a talented prospect on the gridiron as well, already starring in scrimmages before the regular season kicked off. Look for Hemphill to generate recruiting interest in both sports during his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1985935"],"_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-68a67eb0e0323"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If a big can protect the rim, catch and finish in the paint and set hard screens, he'll have a chance to impact winning. Lovinsky does all three of those things and knows exactly what he is on the basketball court. I love players who don't try and do too much and stick to what's effective in their game. Those players are the easiest to coach and usually help impact winning. With Lovinsky and Khaz Simon back as seniors, Licking Heights could be a sneaky Division II team this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2476489"],"_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-68a67eb0e0363"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Canton McKinley has college level talent on a yearly basis and Chavers impressed me in June with the Pups as a big time wing athlete. Coming on strong at the end of the year, Chavers scored in double-figures in each of the Bulldogs four playoff games. That surprise run to the regional finals might be a sign of things to come for McKinley, who enter the season as one of the favorites in the federal league once again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2702463"],"_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-68a67eb0e03a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The defending Division II state champions will have a bit of a new look team this season and that gives McCree a chance to emerge as one of the more intriguing small college guard prospects in central Ohio. McCree can create offense for himself and make shots offensively. McCree also has the athleticism to play at the college level. His big month of June helped make him an easy choice as a stock riser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->