Rankings Release: 2026’s Notable Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 rankings have been updated in New England.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've covered the <em>stock risers</em>, and today, we turn our attention to some <em>notable newcomers</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In all, this rankings update included <em>87 newcomers</em> among the 294 ranked prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we'll take a look at 10 of the <em>newcomers</em>, including the highest ranked <em>newcomer</em> in this update - <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2875628' first='Wesley' last='Waddles']</em></strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875628"],"_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-68b64b30e9454"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waddles makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#11</em></strong>. The <em>New Hampton School</em> wing is a versatile, two-way prospect that thinks the game at a high level. He can operate with or without the basketball, shows good instincts as a cutter, and is a tough finisher around the rim. His playmaking ability stands out, while his perimeter jumper continues to come along. Defensively, he can guard in space or in the paint, rebounds at a high clip, and is seemingly always in the right spot in rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1484016"],"_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-68b64b30e94ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wooley makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#34</em></strong>. The <em>Choate Rosemary Hall</em> forward plays with a nice blend of athleticism and skill, showing the motor needed to make plays around the rim and the touch to score it at multiple levels. The <strong><em>Yale</em></strong> commit can play as a screener in ball screens that pops or rolls, has a good feel for playing in DHOs, and does a nice job of rim running in transition. Defensively, he's a high level rebounder in traffic and offers some rim protection with his length and ability to quickly get off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2918526"],"_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-68b64b30e94f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scroggins makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#50</em></strong>. The <em>Kimball Union Academy</em> forward is a long and lean 6'7" that has the ability to score it in a variety of ways on the offensive end of the floor. A <strong><em>Valparaiso</em></strong> commit, he does a nice job of getting to his spots off the bounce and is a fluid athlete that can finish plays over defenders or through contact. On the other end, he covers a lot of ground with his length and uses his athleticism to his advantage as a rim protector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955101"],"_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-68b64b30e955c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meribe makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#52</em></strong>. The <em>Newman School</em> forward is athletic, physical, and tough; using those traits to his advantage in the paint. At 6'8" with broad shoulders, he has the ability to impact games as a low block scorer, does a great job of running the floor in transition, and has a variety of moves with his back to the basket. Where he really shines is as a rebounder and rim protector, using his burst and length to his advantage to protect the area around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341349"],"_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-68b64b30e95a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zilys makes his return to the New England rankings at <strong><em>#84</em></strong>. The <em>Vermont Academy</em> guard has some wiggle with the ball in his hands, allowing him to operate as both a shot creator and playmaker. He has good positional size, the ability to attack bad closeouts on the perimeter, and is a knockdown shooter in catch and shoot situations. His IQ and feel for the game stand out offensively, while defensively, he's capable of moving his feet to stay in front of opposing ball-handlers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1919191"],"_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-68b64b30e95ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sagna makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#130</em></strong>. The <em>MacDuffie School</em> guard is a quick twitch ball-handler that does a nice job of playing at different speeds, using his quickness to get into the paint and showing good floor vision once he's in there. He's a crafty finisher around the rim that has plus athleticism and the ability to score it over size in the paint. He's a plus defender that is solid at the point of attack in the half-court, as well as at the top of the press. He's really good laterally and has quick hands that allow him to make life difficult for opposing ball-handlers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875566"],"_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-68b64b30e9632"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zarnadze makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#155</em></strong>. The <em>St. Andrew's School</em> forward is a physical presence in the paint that also has a fair amount of skill and the ability to shoot the basketball. He's a terrific two-way rebounder that does a great job of tracking the ball on the offensive glass, sets solid screens, and can make some good passes from the top of the key and the low block. Defensively, he does a nice job of walling up without fouling, holds his box outs, and isn't afraid to be vocal on that end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2634102"],"_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-68b64b30e9679"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zabel makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#162</em></strong>. The <em>Hotchkiss School</em> guard is a smooth operator with the ball in his hands, showing great change of speed and direction ability. His decision making in ball screens is solid and he does a nice job of also utilizing screens to get into his own scoring game. He's crafty finishing over size and really good at knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations. Defensively, he really sits in a stance and competes, creating plenty of deflections that lead to turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1671307"],"_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-68b64b30e96bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dudley makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#200</em></strong>. The <em>Dexter Southfield School</em> guard is a crafty finisher that does a nice job of attacking gaps in the defense to get to his spots. The lefty can knock down shots in catch and shoot situations, attacks bad closeouts regularly, and has the ability to make some nice passes on the move. He does a good job of seeing the floor in transition and takes care of the basketball. On the other end, he can guard either back-court spot and isn't afraid to give up his body to make winning plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2802594"],"_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-68b64b30e9706"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hegan makes his first appearance in the New England rankings at <strong><em>#225</em></strong>. The <em>Pelham High School</em> wing is a prospect that does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. He's a grab-and-go rebounder that can make decisions with the ball in his hands, while also showing the ability to finish in a variety of ways in the paint. He's a consistent perimeter shooter, has good size on the wing, and processes the game at a high level. Defensively, he guards multiple positions and does a nice job of pursuing the basketball on the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye out for position by position coverage throughout the week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->