2026 Rankings ‘A Look At The Top’

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The much anticipated 2026 rankings are here, and we are taking a look at the first 5…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1495539,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/PH-Caleb-Holt-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/PH-Caleb-Holt-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1495539" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958488' first='Caleb' last='Holt']&nbsp;</strong>(6'5/SG/'26/Buckhorn HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iamcalebholt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @iamcalebholt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Caleb, in this position as the #1-ranked player in the state, has been a foregone conclusion for over a year when we started looking at the landscape of the 2026 class in the state. I have put a lot of ink on Caleb over the years, and he has become a well-known name in the game across the country. From his play at the Final Four and leading his team to the State Championship to his play at the Team USA Camp, his stock is really rising. Caleb has no problem scoring or making plays, gets whatever he wants in one-on-one situations, and is so good at shot-making. He is one of the state's most prolific and potent scorers, and he is just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1626356,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/PH-Clyde-Walters-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/PH-Clyde-Walters-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1626356" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958489' first='Clyde' last='Walters']&nbsp;</strong>(6'6/G|F/'26/Pinson Valley HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: clyde.glizzzy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @clydewalters_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Clyde comes in as the #2-ranked player, and I, along with some of my closest peers in the evaluation arena, have tried to make a case for Clyde being the #1-ranked player in his class. Despite all the amazing attributes that Clyde brings to the floor, such as his versatility on both ends, his ability to score from wherever on the floor, and his ability to play and guard the 1-5, we still could not concretely place him above Caleb. Clyde makes you hold your breath every time he touches the ball; he is very skilled at getting his shot off in tight spaces/windows and has a unique ability to make shots from different angles. He is a dynamic player with a tremendous trajectory.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ladarius Givan</strong>&nbsp;(6'8/G|F|C/'26/Jeff Davis)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Ladariusgivan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Ladariusgivan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ladarius is a very versatile player that showed more of it on the offensive side than he did defensively. He shoots it well from deep and can score with his back to the basket on the low block. He played with a dynamic scorer last year, so his attempts may not have been what he desired, but you can rest assured knowing that as he continues developing and maturing in grade, he will undoubtedly be the primary scoring option for his squad one day. Defensively, his length is a factor both when he is defending in space which still needs continued development, as well as when he is anchored in the paint contesting shots at the rim. As the saying goes, he has something you cannot teach: size. He has an excellent skillset for a 6'8 freshman, and I am excited to see the development and expansion of his game over the next few years. He comes in as the #3-ranked player in his class.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1655339,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PH-Milton-Jones-c.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PH-Milton-Jones-c.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1655339" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958490' first='Milton' last='Jones']&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/SG/2026/Wenonah HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: chosen1_glizzzy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I will never forget the first time I laid eyes on Milton, he was in an AAU tourney in TN, and he flat-out was a gamer. He had a highly productive freshman campaign with the Dragons and has established himself as one of the best off-guards in the state. He can create his own shot if needed, set the table for others and knock down an open look. He is very athletic, if needed, can play either guard spot, and is a solid defender. Do not be surprised if the keys to the Wenonah team are given to him going forward. He has a quick burst off the bounce and is a very good finisher. He is a promising young prospect that will be looked upon for the next three years to get the Dragons back to the final four. Milton comes in as the #4-ranked player in his class.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958491' first='Colben' last='Landrew']&nbsp;</strong>(6'5/CG/2026/Thompson HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iamcolbenlandrew</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Colben comes in at the #5 spot, and if you argued that he sits too low, I wouldn't debate the argument. He is one of the most gifted all-around players that is in the top 5 of this class. He is a smooth scorer with immense activity and playmaking abilities with the rock in his hands. It may have been difficult to see on his high school team with the minutes he got, but now that he is in the spring and summer seasons, people are getting a glimpse of this young talent who has not even started to scratch the surface of his potential. When he has the freedom to do what he can do, he impacts the game by making everyone around him better with his vision and passing, which often leads to easy buckets and open looks. His progression and play as a two-way force have been on full display this spring, and he is garnering a lot of attention from the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->