Rankings Release: 2026 watch list players with major potential

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rankings have been updated for the <em>Class of 2026</em> and it's time to take a look at some players from the watch list with major potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though these guys aren't ranked now, I predict big AAU and high school seasons for them, which could vault them into the rankings next around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955214"],"_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-68b9f7cbe7b65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Montaneri is a freak athlete at the guard position who relentlessly attacks the hoop and simply won't take no for an answer. He's constantly looking to get downhill and has the quickness and strength to do so. Once he's in the paint, he does a phenomenal job taking contact in the air and can finish in a variety of ways. Montaneri should be one of the best players in the MIAA and will probably score TONS of points for New Bedford High School this season. He's a really interesting post-grad candidate for prep schools looking for a scoring punch and a competitor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2731586"],"_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-68b9f7cbe7bce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Admittedly, I've only seen Walker play once. But from what he displayed, it's very clear that he could potentially play high level D3 hoops. The 5-foot-11 point guard is incredibly skilled; he has the ball on a string, he can shoot from the mid range and three (beautiful shot, by the way), and he can use footwork and touch to finish around opposing bigs at the rim. He needs to get a little bit stronger, but he's a true 2026 and I could totally see him getting prep school looks for a post-grad year if he has a really good senior season at Newtown HS. An extra year would be huge for a guy like him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875551"],"_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-68b9f7cbe7c1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bussey just finished his senior season at the Harvey School, where he was probably the best player on a team that won the NEPSAC Class C large championship. The 6-foot-3 guard is definitely very raw, but he has some explosive athletic gifts and really impresses on the defensive end with his length and shot-blocking timing. His offensive skills are coming along, and some added strength would be huge for him. Regardless, going up against players at Winchendon School will be huge for his development and it'll be a massive test for college coaches looking to recruit him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2696695"],"_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-68b9f7cbe7c63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Louis was one of Archbishop Williams' best players last season, and he's poised to be their best this year. He should lead them in scoring and will often times guard the opposing team's best backcourt player. The 5-foot-11 combo guard is a bowling ball when attacking downhill and should be one of the best players in the MIAA this year. After that, I could imagine prep schools being interested in him for a PG year or potentially D3's being interested right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2553840"],"_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-68b9f7cbe7cab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Licktenstein is one of the more under-the-radar players in the 2026 class, perhaps because of his size or the fact that he's still at Cambridge Rindge and Latin. He has recently grown a bit more and is now 6-foot-1, but he obviously still possesses the same skillset he had before; he's good in the pick and roll, he shoots it well from three, and he has great vision in a variety of spots on the floor. Lichtenstein is a prime reclass candidate and should look to find some post-grad fits after this season if he plays well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->