Rankings Review: The 2026 Small Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One could argue that this is the deepest position in New England, with 63 ranked prospects and a large handful that will play at the scholarship level - today, we're taking a look at the <em>small forwards</em>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our highest ranked <em>small forward</em> is also the highest ranked prospect in New England, <em>Notre Dame-West Haven's</em> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2341304' first='Abdou' last='Toure']</em></strong>. Right behind him at <em>#2</em>, that would be our third ranked prospect overall, <em>Lawrence Academy's</em> <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2341363' first='Alex' last='Egbuonu']</em></strong>. Both have been ranked within the <em>Top 5</em> throughout the entire rankings cycle and will continue their careers at the high major level next season - Toure at <strong><em>Arkansas</em></strong> and Egbuonu at <strong><em>Marquette</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five <em>small forwards</em> that appear in our latest rankings update:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532411"],"_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-69c2fd8968755"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bollin, a wing out of the <em>Newman School</em> in Massachusetts, checks in at <strong><em>#7</em></strong> among the small forwards and <strong><em>#25</em></strong> overall. The 6'6" wing is a versatile lefty that does a little bit of everything on the offensive end of the floor. He's capable of attacking off the bounce and finishing through contact at the rim, has proven to be a quality decision maker and passer with the ball in his hands, and can knock down shots in catch and shoot situations from behind the arc. He's got a nose for the ball as a two-way rebounder, can guard any position on the floor, and has a ton of built in intangibles that allow him to impact winning at a high level. Bollin will continue his academic and athletic career in the fall at <strong><em>Brown</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2955157"],"_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-69c2fd8968814"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allersted, a wing out of <em>Bridgton Academy</em> in Maine, checks in at <strong><em>#21</em></strong> among the small forwards and <strong><em>#103</em></strong> overall. The 6'4" wing is a really intriguing prospect; he has a college ready frame, can operate as a secondary ball-handler in the half-court, and has some sneaky athleticism. He does a nice job of getting to his spots off the bounce, shows good touch and feel as a passer, and is capable of creating his own shot late in the clock. On the other end of the floor, he uses his strength to rebound in traffic and also does a nice job of moving laterally to keep the ball in front of him on the perimeter. Allersted has yet to announce his future plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2522553"],"_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-69c2fd89688bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Welker, a wing out of <em>Brewster Academy</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#42</em></strong> among the small forwards and <strong><em>#172</em></strong> overall. The long 6'8" lefty moves incredibly well for someone of his size, particularly when covering ground in the open floor. He's capable of operating as a grab and go rebounder, does a nice job of passing out of the post, and has the ability to get to the rim as a finisher when attacking closeouts. His perimeter jumper is fluid and he has the athleticism needed to finish above the rim in space. Defensively, his length is an asset, both as a rim protector coming from the help side and when making plays in passing lanes. Welker has yet to announce his future plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2875581"],"_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-69c2fd8968949"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sullivan, a wing out of the <em>New Hampton School</em> in New Hampshire, checks in at <strong><em>#51</em></strong> among the small forwards and <strong><em>#218</em></strong> overall. Sullivan's best attribute might be his ability to shoot the basketball from behind the arc. He does a nice job of being shot ready on the catch and leverages his shooting to open up driving lanes when attacking closeouts, particularly after utilizing a shot fake. He knows how to use screens to get open, is quick into his shot off the catch, and makes them with range out to the NBA line. Defensively, he's willing to sit in a stance on that end of the floor and does a nice job of chasing down rebounds in space. Sullivan has yet to announce his future plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2818596"],"_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-69c2fd89689cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moody, a wing out of <em>Windham High School</em> in Maine, checks in at <strong><em>#60</em></strong> among the small forwards and <strong><em>#252</em></strong> overall. One of the top defenders in Maine, the 6'2" wing does a great job of fighting for rebounds in traffic, giving up his body to take charges, and making plays both on the ball and in passing lanes. His combination of strength, toughness, and lateral mobility allows him to guard any position on the floor. Offensively, he's a willing ball mover, does a nice job of knocking down shots in catch and shoot situations, and can finish through contact at the rim. Moody will continue his academic and athletic careers at <strong><em>Plymouth State</em></strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check back later this week as we continue our <em>Positional Breakdowns</em> with a look at the power forwards, centers, and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->