Top new forwards from 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 rankings update that dropped this week saw over 30 players make their debut in our rankings, in this article we'll break down five forwards who made their debut during this latest update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2458389"],"_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-69275b87a07a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the breakout players during preseason scrimmage season, O'Neal is a late bloomer who is really starting to show his talents with Pickerington Central. Despite missing their scrimmage in Covington, O'Neal is still a major stock riser from the fall and debuts in the top 80 of our rankings, the highest debut of any Ohio prospect who has been in the state since the last update. Hoping O'Neal is back on the court soon because Pickerington Central could have their best team since 2022-23 where they made back-to-back state title games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1915520"],"_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-69275b87a0808"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rude came to the Prep Hoops Expo and made his presence felt on the interior all day. Tough to keep off the glass, Rude is a physical force who holds offers to Wittenberg and Capital already. The multi-sport star at Monroe is set for a monster senior season on the hardwood and could finish in the top 5 in the conference in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1858272"],"_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-69275b87a0854"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A prospect who keeps getting better, Ward is going to be a key piece for a Huber Heights Wayne squad that has a nice blend of seniors and young pieces. The GWOC is always one of the most competitive leagues in the state and this season should be no different as a majority of teams in the league have prospects that will play at the college level. Ward II has the size and physicality to make an impact in the paint and was another player who impressed at the Lima Mega Scrimmage from this article.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2445463"],"_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-69275b87a089a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Making a GCL to GCL transfer, Bowling moves from Moeller to Badin and finds himself with an opportunity to be a leader on a team who returns four of their top 5 scorers from last season. The senior laden group should benefit from Bowling in the paint as his size and rebounding ability adds a different dynamic that Badin doesn't have elsewhere, their next tallest player on the roster is listed at 6'3. If Bowling is as advertised, Badin should contend for a conference title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1990711"],"_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-69275b87a08de"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Westland quietly has a lot of talent this season and Sherif was their most productive player during the Lima Mega Scrimmage when I watched them. A physical force on the low block, the lefty Sherif wants to bully you in the paint by lowering his shoulder and shooting over his right shoulder at the rim. Expanding his game by showing soft touch on jumpers, Sherif is one tough cover at the high school level and with all the young guard talent on Westland, they could be one of the sleeper teams in central Ohio this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->