2026 Rankings Updates: Some Big Risers and Why

Rankings SZN is upon us here at Prep Hoops and the 2026s were the first to drop here at Prep Hoops and it was certainly a tall task collecting all of the amazing talent in this state and essentially starting from scratch as it's my first time leading the site during these updates. It can be daunting but also very rewarding and I genuinely appreciate everyone's support, if you're not a member yet, use code Miles30 for a discount off your first billing cycle.   As these kids get older, we tend to lean on production more than potential in comparison to when I rank the 2029 class. As a senior in High School, the corner should start to be turned with potential still being a major part in what your ranking is. A lot of it on my end is how likely it is that I think you'll reach your potential, for a lot of these kids, I've been watching them since before they got to high school, you see the way they develop, their habits, etc. All of this matters in ranking and I'm super excited to get the rest of these classes rolling and get in a good rhythm with all of it.   Let's take a look at some of the biggest risers in the 2026 Prep Hoops NC Rankings and why it is they made such a big leap.    Rousseau rose from 99 to 17 in the last update and it's frankly a combination of two things. A natural market correction from him being ranked too low the previous go around + him really reaching his potential in a lot of ways and focusing on the development areas that he actually needed to. Rousseau is a skilled combo forward that can play a variety of roles. Someone with his combination of size, outside touch, and mobility is 100% deserving of his new spot at 17. Rousseau is signed to play at Bucknell next season after a really strong summer with SW15H on the UA Rise Circuit. Rousseau was productive this season for Cary Academy and still has a lot of room to grow as a player. He's certainly earned his new spot amongst some of the best players in North Carolina.     [player_tooltip player_id='1454560' first='Ayden' last='Johnson'] is a kid that simply delivers and is a classic "late riser" in the rankings because he doesn't have the physical measurables to warrant a super high ranking early. What he's done on the flip side of that is be undeniably productive and impactful towards winning in every single setting we see him in. Johnson has risen from 46 all the way up to 18. Along with that he checks just about every box needed for a small guard to have success, especially on the offensive end of the floor. Johnson has ridiculously deep off the catch and bounce range on his jump shot, the quickness and craftiness to create for himself from every level off the bounce, along with being more than capable of running a team despite not being the full time PG alongside of [player_tooltip player_id='1571119' first='King' last='Kendrick']. Johnson's ability to play off the ball is incredibly valuable as well and will 100% be vital to his success at the next level as he plays with other talented guys. Merrimack was smart to get this one done when they did and Johnson has a chance to be a really good player at the division one level if he stays on the track that he's currently on. The kid just simply plays well extremely consistently and has done it for a long time now.     What [player_tooltip player_id='2175564' first='Brayden' last='Johnson'] has done for this First Flight team this season has been nothing short of sensational and it's why he's risen from 155 all the way up to 52. Johnson's a big and strong PG with bad intentions when getting downhill. He's a dynamic playmaker for this team at both ends of the floor and is really the engine that makes them go in so many ways. Johnson is a real triple double threat every time he steps out there as he uses his ability to grab rebounds and push the ball to get First Flight easy offense with their fast pace of play. Johnson has a chance to really take First Flight on a deep run as the playoffs are here, that will only further cement his status as a bonafide top 60 guy in the state. He's ranked amongst the group that I think project similarly to him at the next level, he's earned it with his play this season.     In terms of pure #, Turner-Scott might be the biggest riser we have as he's gone from 132 to 57 and that still might be too low to be completely honest. I think we'll do one more update before graduation and it would not surprise me if he rises even further. Ben L Smith is one of the State's top teams and Scott's impact at both ends of the floor is incredibly valuable to this group's ability to win game after game. Scott's ability to use his outside touch, strength, and IQ to he and his teams benefit is such an important thing for this Ben L Smith team. Everyone that follows hoops in the State knows that [player_tooltip player_id='2043250' first='Jyi' last='Dawkins'] is the straw that stirs the drink at Smith but it's Turner-Scott that helps alleviate so much of that pressure with his steady production, presence on the glass, and overall two way impact. He's a bonafide full scholarship talent IMO and frankly is one of the most under recruited available seniors in North Carolina.     Silver is just too strong of an interior presence to have outside of the top 50 especially when you look at the undeniable production he's brought to the table for Northern Nash this season. Silver has made the rise from 149 all the way up to 45 with what he's done this season. A lot of what he's done is turn that potential into more consistent production while still showing room to grow in his overall game. Silver is averaging 7.3 Points, 8.8 Rebounds, and 6.9 Blocks per game. He's a shot blocking specialist with the ability to contribute in other areas at both ends of the floor. Despite being relatively limited offensively, there's no doubt that he's improved greatly with his ability to catch and finish around the rim, he should maintain that progression through his next level career. He's one of the state's best shot blockers and proved he can be a valuable two way piece on a winning team as Northern Nash is 20-3 on the season with a big playoff run hopefully getting started for them tonight.

Rankings SZN is upon us here at Prep Hoops and the 2026s were the first to drop here at Prep Hoops and it was certainly a tall task collecting all of the amazing talent in this state and essentially starting from scratch as it's my first time leading the site during these updates. It can be daunting but also very rewarding and I genuinely appreciate everyone's support, if you're not a member yet, use code Miles30 for a discount off your first billing cycle.