2026 Group 1 Small Forward Prospects to Watch This Winter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025-26 basketball season is right around the corner as the first week of December is here. The 2026 class is primed to make its presence felt on the hardwood, especially in the front court. Group 1 might be the smallest public schools in the state, but that won't stop them from making an impact on the hardwood. Here are the 2026 Group 1 small forward prospects to watch this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1859563' first='Tyshawn' last='Boyd'], 6'4 Arts</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boyd's collegiate future might lie on the gridiron, but that won't stop him from making an impact on the hardwood. The 6'4 forward attacks the basket with a purpose as he finishes strong above the rim and can make shots through contact. Boyd uses his strong frame to get position in the paint and is an underrated passer. He skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor and uses his length to be disruptive on the defensive end. Boyd won a sectional title with Newark Tech during his freshman season and is looking to end his varsity career with another sectional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1919205' first='A'Zon' last='Young'], 6'4 Audubon</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young has the ability to play either forward spot, making him an intriguing prospect to track in the class. The 6'4 forward has a nice touch around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact. Young can also put the ball on the floor and can knock down open jumpers in the mid-range. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and is an underrated defender. Young is a physical forward prospect who is looking to fill up the stat sheet during the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2857847' first='Sean' last='Lustig'], 6'4 Park Ridge</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lustig had big games during the course of the season and will be looking to have an even bigger 2025-26 season. The 6'4 wing has a nice release on his jumper and sets his feet before he shoots. Lustig is more than just a shooter as he can also put the ball on the floor and knows how to finish around the rim. He slides his feet on the defensive end and is an underrated rebounder. Lustig has the potential to play either wing spot, which will help his development over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2864799' first='Jeremiah' last='Rodriguez'], 6'4 LEAP Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriguez might play more on the interior, but will also get the opportunity to play on the wing. The 6'4 wing has a good first step, which he uses to get to the rim and has a nice touch around the basket. Rodriguez is more than just a slasher as he has a good shooting stroke and can get hot from distance in a hurry. He rarely forces shots in the half court and has the athleticism to defend multiple spots on the floor. Rodriguez had five 20-point games last season and should eclipse that mark during the course of his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2623168' first='RJ' last='Mack'], 6'2 Verona</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mack can play either perimeter spot, which will help his game over the course of the winter. The 6'2 wing has a solid handle, which he uses to beat his defender off the bounce and finishes nicely around the basket. Mack can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He is an underrated defender and moves well without the ball in his hands. Mack should get more touches on the offensive end, which will help his stock throughout the winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->