Updated Class of 2026 Rankings – The Top Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The pre-season update of the Class of 2026 rankings is complete and with the start of the 2025-26 season coming up in just under two months, here's a look at the new top five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1582973"],"_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-68f581d200235"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moving into the top spot for the first time is Lake, who achieves the honor after a spectacular spring and summer where he solidified his status as the state's top recruited senior. After playing with Select Basketball (ID), the 6-foot-2 guard started to collect D-I offer after D-I offer, and when it was all said and done he had to use two hands to count them all. He made several campus visits this fall and decided to end his recruitment by committing to Montana - becoming the first member of the Class of 2026 to commit to a D-I school. He very well could be the odds-on favorite for 6A Player of the Year this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1582928"],"_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-68f581d2002d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though he may be currently at number two, you could still make an argument about Paschal being the top-ranked player in the class based on his athleticism, skills, and potential. The do-it-all 6-foot guard nicknamed "Bam" unfortunately lost the second half of his junior year due to injury and his recovery carried over into the spring and summer months, which not only limited his ability to play but his recruitment as well. Nevertheless, the senior remains a D-I recruited player and may still be making an early decision this fall. He'll be counted on heavily to lead an extremely talented Central Catholic team in 2025-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1582927"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3010299,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68f581d20037e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another guy who could have a good argument for number one is Montague, who will be settling in at a new destination for his senior season at Parkrose. As a junior at Roosevelt last season, he was a first team All-League pick and his ability to both score and distribute from the point will be key for a Broncos squad looking to shock the world of 5A hoops. The 6-foot lefty remains a D-I recruited player and is a candidate for 5A Player of the Year honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2026792"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3010294,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68f581d200410"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Long is the new entrant to the top five in this update as the Central Catholic senior rockets up to number four from number ten. The 6-foot-4 guard earned this nod largely from his play on the AAU circuit with the [program_tooltip program_id='2850997' first='Cascade' last='Kings'] as he was able to focus on playing at the point while also showcasing his sharpshooting from the perimeter. Like the others already mentioned, Long is a D-I recruit having recently added an offer from Loyola-MD to the one he already had from Howard, and there's interest from other schools as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1951856"],"_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-68f581d200488"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawson remains in the top five as he comes into 2025-26 as the leader at the point for who may very well be the pre-season number one 5A team in Canby. The 6-foot guard consistently pushed the ball and made plays this off-season in both AAU ball and with his high school team, and his competitiveness and leadership will be critical in the Cougars' chase for their first-ever state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->