2026 Rankings Update: Watch List Wings/Bigs on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Updated 2026 rankings were released about a week ago, and there is a whole lot to debrief. Will Armishaw has already done a good amount of coverage, but I'll also be highlighting some additional players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/icymi-2026-rankings-were-posted-this-week-23/">ICYMI: 2026 Rankings Were Posted This Week</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/2026-rankings-update-risers-with-even-more-room-to-grow/">2026 Rankings Update: Risers With Even More Room to Grow</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/2026-rankings-update-watch-list-guards-on-the-rise/">2026 Rankings Update: Watch List Guards on the Rise</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To continue on, let's look at some wings/bigs on the watch list who could certainly make our rankings next time around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875566"],"_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-69605a7270c1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zarnadze is a cerebral and skilled 6-foot-8 big man who has impressed me so far this season for St. Andrew's School. Though he doesn't do too much on the perimeter, he has solid post moves on the block and really good touch with both hands. He's a very strong and sturdy big, and he has high IQ passing ability and feel. It doesn't seem like Zarnadze is getting the recruitment he deserves, but continued strong performances for a talented St. Andrew's squad could go a long way for him exposure-wise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875567"],"_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-69605a7270cb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spurrier is an incredibly impressive forward from the Taft School who is going to burst onto the scene in short order. He's 6-foot-7, and he has an inside-outside skillset that's quite rare for his size and strength. He can shoot the three ball, but he also has slow step moves in the paint that throw off defenders and allow him to finish with both hands very effectively. Spurrier seems like a high-level D3 player to me, but I'm very curious what his recruitment looks like. Regardless, a strong season for Taft could put him on the map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2341359"],"_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-69605a7270d22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strand is a 6-foot-5 guard who moves quite well for his size and is ready to play college ball right now. He can shoot it from three (though he has an interesting-looking shot), and he has solid-enough athleticism to dive to the rim for finishes. He also shows some passing flashes, but I'd like to see him lean into his facilitating a bit more. Strand got an offer from Bryant University in 2023, but he hasn't gotten any since — a great season for Canterbury could definitely get him some more college looks, though, especially at the D3 or D2 level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875568"],"_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-69605a7270d8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rice is a super intriguing 6-foot-4 wing who has a phenomenal outside shot and some impressive moves inside the lane. His release is quick and compact, he can shoot it with range, and he can get to his shot off both the dribble and the catch. When he gets into the lane, he does a good job bumping defenders and using his body, and his slow steps are really effective. He can finish and make floaters, and he clearly has pretty advanced touch. I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see Rice get some low level scholarship offers as a result of his combination of size and skill/shooting ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2900479"],"_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-69605a7270e09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Legree is a pure hooper. The 6-foot-4 wing has a smooth handle and looks like a 5-foot-10 guard when he handles it. He can shoot it from three, and he finishes at the rim with finesse; and with his combination of size and length, he should have some colleges recruiting him right now. I don't know exactly who's talking to Legree or what his recruitment is currently like, but he has what it takes to play at the college level. Some added passing ability and motor would be big for him, but that can be developed over time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875572"],"_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-69605a7270eb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grady is an incredibly skilled 6-foot-6 forward who plays on one of the best prep school teams in the country: The Winchendon School. He might not be getting the credit he deserves because of all of the excellent players he's playing with (and behind), but the senior has a college-ready game that should be monitored. He strokes it from three, and he has a big enough body to carve out space for himself in the painted area. He also has great touch, he can pass the ball, and he'll make the right play time and time again. I'd be shocked if Grady didn't get some really high level D3 and perhaps even D2 looks by the end of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875023"],"_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-69605a7270f36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Saunders is a lanky and athletic 6-foot-2 guard who has lots of potential. The senior can shoot the ball from three and has really solid footwork coming off screens, but he can also use his long arms for extended finishes at the hoop. Saunders uses his length on the defensive end, too, where he can slide his feet well and has good hands for steals. Saunders seems like a D3 player to me, and I'll be surprised if he doesn't end up at that level next year. He has room for growth, too, so you never know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->