Breaking down the Top 5 in the 2026 rankings update

The 2026 rankings dropped on Wednesday with plenty of movement across the board. We made it a point to get out and see as many prospects as possible, watched film, and spoke to coaches about this class as we head into senior year. Here are the top 5 in the rankings update.    What's understood should not have to be explained, but we will explain it. Fiedler is the top player in the state and will be the target against every single team. But he appears to be ready for that as he's seemed to elevate his game even more this summer. He led the state in scoring as a junior, putting up 24.1 points a game, and now it seems that the game is coming easier for the 6'8 CSU commit. He's a 3-level scorer that bullies inside but also shoots the deep ball as well. He got it done this summer against nationally ranked recruits, and now he has a goal of winning state. Expecting another monster season for him. He comes in at No.1     Madden accomplished it all as a junior, and now the state champion is looking for a back-to-back. He is one of the top scorers in the state at 20.9 a game as a junior, and I believe he will up those numbers as he appears to be a man on a mission. He looked to be unstoppable the times we saw him this summer as he stood out at Colorado live, Section 7, team camps, and for Mountain Stars, and his aggressiveness really stands out. He committed to Wyoming, so this year is about enjoying it all and solidifying himself in the history books with another trophy and player of the year nod. He comes in at No.2 in the state.     Belibi is a name that we've known for quite some time, and it's great to see him still taking over no matter his surroundings. He's a standout on the prep scene, and we also got to root for him in FIBA U19 World Cup for Cameroon, where he put up 14.4 points a game. He became more of a national name with his performance there and also committed to Pacific to continue his career. We're thrilled to see how he performs for Colorado Prep this year as an explosive high flyer that scores with ease and has his moments of taking over. He's been a top 5 player in the class his entire career, and it remains that way this go-round.     Paine is a smooth 6'8 high-IQ performer with a back-to-the-basket game that also extends the defense with his outside shooting and ability to make every pass on the floor. He gets plenty of touches and makes the most out of it as he makes the right decision with the ball in his hands. As a junior, he had a coming-out party. He put up 18.7 points and had 8.8 rebounds to go along with it. He was a 2nd Team All-State standout. We also got to see plenty of him this summer and in Fall leagues. What is scary is he continues to get better, and that's a testament to him continuing to work on his game. I think he will be even more in his senior season. Make sure you go check out this UNC commit who lets his game do the talking. He comes in at No. 4 in the state.     Junker made up one of the best duos in the state as a junior, as he averaged a double-double on the season. He put up 15.4 points and 11.3 rebounds a game as he was ultimately named to 2nd Team All-State. He also had 2.8 blocks to show his two-way dominance and was a big reason that Mountain Vista made so much noise last year. This year, they want to go further, and it will be on the shoulders of their best player. They feel they have unfinished business and have the group to compete with anybody in the state, and from what we saw from him this summer, he's ready for the season. The North Dakota State commit rounds out the Top-5.

The 2026 rankings dropped on Wednesday with plenty of movement across the board. We made it a point to get out and see as many prospects as possible, watched film, and spoke to coaches about this class as we head into senior year. Here are the top 5 in the rankings update.