Eight All-State Returners to Watch in 2025–2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the new season tips off, a select group of returning All-State honorees are set to anchor their teams and elevate the state's basketball landscape. These eight returners are culture-setters, matchup changers, and solid future collegiate prospects. Keep them circled as the season unfolds. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on “X“ and “Instagram,” just tag @PrepHoops_AR &amp; @VortexSportsArkansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021883"],"_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-68e5bf12a0bfd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A cerebral floor general with elite pace control and a knack for clutch shot-making. Bead blends poise with burst, dissecting defenses off the bounce and orchestrating with precision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> Bryant leans on his leadership and late-game composure. Expect Bead to take another leap as a scorer while continuing to elevate teammates. Additionally, expect a large number of D1 offers to come in for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2751007"],"_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-68e5bf12a0c83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true lead guard with a sharp eye for angles and a feel for spacing. Wright excels at threading passes through tight windows, manipulating defenders with pace changes, and setting teammates up in rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> Morrilton's offense flows through his decision-making. As he continues to refine his handle and expand his reads against pressure, Wright's ability to elevate those around him will be the difference-maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2736561"],"_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-68e5bf12a0cd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tough, inside and out scorer with positional versatility. Oswalt can stretch the floor, attack closeouts, and guard multiple spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> His ability to toggle between wing roles makes him a matchup problem for teams. Look for him to expand his playmaking, scoring, and defensive impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2791515"],"_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-68e5bf12a0d39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Undersized but unshakable. Dettmering is a shot-maker with deep range, accuracy, and creativity, and a competitive edge that fuels his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> Fountain Lake needs his scoring punch and vocal leadership. If he adds more live shot reps off the bounce and secondary creation, his stock will rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2389941"],"_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-68e5bf12a0d94"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crafty, high-energy wing with good instincts and an offensive toolkit. Cash plays with hunger and positional awareness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> Prairie Grove's ceiling rises with his development. As his jumper and handle sharpen, he could become a breakout star across the state this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2228083"],"_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-68e5bf12a0deb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lane has a solid post presence with soft hands and a growing face-up game. Webster controls the paint at times as an athletic high-flyer with dunks, blocks, and boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> Brookland will rely on his interior dominance. If his motor improves to engage more on every play with increased playmaking opportunities, he'd be a triple-double producer often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1893319"],"_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-68e5bf12a0e28"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Confident, polished, and calm. Vatan's emerging three-level touch is catching eyes. Paydak plays with maturity and IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> As a junior, he's already the focal point and leader of the team. With added strength, speed, and defending, he could become one of the state's premier shooting guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2300102"],"_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-68e5bf12a0e64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quick first step, live-dribble creativity, and shooter's touch. McCray Jr. thrives in open space with his intuition and feel and can shift momentum with outside sparks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why He's Key:</strong> With improved shot selection and defensive consistency, he could emerge as one of the state's top guards after joining a Mill's team built for success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->