My Top 25: Breaking Down the 2026 Class

As the class of 2026 prepares for the upcoming high school season, a number of standout prospects are entering what could be the most pivotal stretch of their basketball careers so far. With recruitment heating up at every level, these players are aiming to raise their stock — whether through breakout performances, stepping into leadership roles, or embracing expanded responsibilities on both ends of the floor.   This winter presents a key opportunity for athletes to display their growth, consistency, and long-term potential to coaches and scouts alike.   In this breakdown, I take a deep dive into my Top 25 players in the class of 2026 — highlighting what sets each of them apart and what to keep an eye on in the months ahead. Note: This list does not include post-grad players.   20. Cale Clingan | 6'8" Forward | Derby | [program_tooltip program_id='2078454' first='KC' last='Run GMC']   Cale has seen his stock rise significantly over the past six months, emerging as one of the more intriguing next-level prospects in the region. With a combination of great length, polished skill, and offensive versatility, Clingan is primed for a breakout senior campaign. He plays with intent and purpose around the rim, routinely finishing above the defense with powerful dunks or soft touch finishes using either hand. His physical tools make him a matchup problem in the paint, but what sets him apart is his ability to stretch the floor. He shoots the ball well from the perimeter, giving him true inside-out scoring capabilities. In addition to his face-up game, he's also begun to develop a more refined back-to-the-basket arsenal. His go-to move — a smooth turnaround fadeaway — is nearly impossible to contest due to his length and elevation, and he uses it effectively to create separation against defenders. With his skill set continuing to expand and his confidence growing, Clingan projects as a versatile offensive threat and a high-ceiling prospect heading into his senior year.   19. [player_tooltip player_id='2327575' first='Aiden' last='McCullough'] | 6'3" Wing | Ottawa | VWBA Elite   A true game-changer on the defensive end, Aiden brings relentless energy and physicality as a two-way standout. His athleticism, length, and motor allow him to guard multiple positions effectively, often taking on the opposing team's top perimeter threat. As an on-ball defender, McCullough applies constant pressure and rarely takes a possession off. Off the ball, he's equally impactful -- routinely jumping passing lanes and turning defense into offense with timely steals that lead to transition buckets. Offensively, McCullough plays with toughness and poise. He thrives when attacking the rim, where he absorbs contact and finishes with impressive body control and soft touch. His ability to finish through or around defenders adds an important dimension to his game in the half court. He's also shown strong development as a perimeter shooter, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. His mechanics are clean and repeatable, allowing him to knock down shots at a high efficiency when given space. McCullough's versatility, defensive tenacity, and evolving offensive skill set make him a highly valuable player with clear next-level potential.   18. Cy Stucky | 6'6" Forward | Maize South | Kansas Team 2026   Cy possesses a college-ready frame, showcasing impressive size, strength, and physicality at the forward position. His combination of power and skill makes him a tough matchup, as he's able to impact the game both inside and out. On the interior, Stucky plays with a physical edge. He finishes efficiently off two feet, often powering through contact and using his soft touch to convert around the rim. He embraces contact and doesn't shy away from physicality in the paint. What sets him apart is his versatility -- Stucky is equally comfortable stepping out to the perimeter. He consistently knocks down open threes, especially when facing bigger defenders who struggle to close out. His ability to stretch the floor creates valuable spacing for his team and forces defenses to make tough decisions. In addition to his scoring, Stucky is a strong rebounder. He competes on the glass on both ends, often creating second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds and hustle plays. His motor, strength, and expanding skill set make him a high-impact player with clear next-level upside.   17. [player_tooltip player_id='2211361' first='Jalihn' last='Timmons'] | 6'0" Guard | Wichita Heights | MPJ Elite   Timmons has steadily developed into one of the more complete guards in the state, setting the stage for a standout senior season as the go-to option for Wichita Heights. While listed at 6'0", he consistently plays bigger than his frame suggests, using his strength, body control, and feel for the game to make a significant impact. Off the bounce, Timmons is tough to contain. He attacks the basket with confidence, showing an impressive ability to finish at a variety of angles. While he's more than capable of absorbing and finishing through contact, he's particularly crafty when avoiding it -- using touch, footwork, and creative body control to score around bigger defenders. In isolation situations, Timmons is highly effective. He uses a quick first step to gain an initial edge, and once he has it, he's excellent at initiating contact to create separation. His handle and balance allow him to keep defenders off rhythm, making him a consistent threat one-on-one. Perhaps the most notable improvement in his game is his perimeter shooting. He's refined his mechanics to feature a quicker, more repeatable release -- especially in catch-and-shoot situations. With growing confidence and extended range, he's become a legitimate threat from beyond the arc, forcing defenses to guard him honestly at all times. With his blend of toughness, skill, and leadership, Timmons is primed for a big final season and could see his recruitment take another leap.   16. JaKhai Carter | 6'2" Guard | Mill Valley | VWBA Elite   JaKhai is one of the most electric athletes in the state and a true game-changer at the guard position. With elite burst, change of pace, and body control, he has the ability to take over games -- especially in transition, where his speed and explosiveness put constant pressure on defenses. A relentless attacker, Carter excels at getting downhill. In the open floor, he often finishes plays with above-the-rim dunks that shift momentum and energize both his teammates and the crowd. In the half court, he's just as dynamic. His handle is tight and creative, allowing him to break down defenders consistently and get into the paint. Once there, he shows impressive touch finishing over length and through contact, utilizing a wide array of acrobatic and high-level finishes. Carter is also highly effective in ball screen situations. He reads coverages well, consistently splitting traps or attacking gaps to generate paint touches. His quick change of direction and suddenness with the dribble make him incredibly difficult to stay in front of. He creates space with ease and keeps defenders guessing with his pace and unpredictability. What elevates his game even further is his perimeter shooting. Carter has shown the ability to knock down shots from deep, both off the catch and off the dribble. His confidence as a shooter continues to grow, making him even harder to guard as defenders must respect all three levels. With his combination of athleticism, skill, and creativity, Carter is a true high-ceiling guard with the tools to impact games in multiple ways.

As the class of 2026 prepares for the upcoming high school season, a number of standout prospects are entering what could be the most pivotal stretch of their basketball careers so far. With recruitment heating up at every level, these players are aiming to raise their stock — whether through breakout performances, stepping into leadership roles, or embracing expanded responsibilities on both ends of the floor.