Under the Radar ’26 Prospects To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1782598' first='Chase' last='Foster'] '26 6'7 W Edmondson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Following a recent offer from Florida State in addition to a top 10 standing in our Maryland rankings, it's hard to call him "under the radar" even though nationally- he hasn't peaked. But we felt the need to include him because of his potential. After transferring in from a WCAC program midway through freshman year, Foster helped Edmondson make a push to a title last year flanked by Darnell Dantzler and Marcus Jackson. With Jackson transferring to John Marshall, Foster will have the opportunity to run it back as the go-to guy this season. A legit 6'7 with growing ball skills and touch around the basket, he has the chance to flourish into a HM prospect</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1782603' first='Gage' last='Howard'] '26 6'6 W City </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The lengthy wing has grown his skillset to be more perimeter-oriented after being used primarily as a low post scorer in middle school AAU and will be a key piece for a City team looking for another title. Howard has a nose for the ball, passing instincts from the high post or off the bounce, and finishes well around the rim. A consistent perimeter jumper and improved lateral movement skills will be pivotal as he seeks to become the next great point forward to come out of the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1782769' first='Saxton' last='Simley'] '26 6'6 W Gonzaga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Simley has been a favorite of mine for the past two <a href="https://prephoops.com/2021/08/premier-youth-basketball-league-finale-standouts-pt-2/">years</a> and will contribute at the varsity level this season at Gonzaga. I think he is still a year away from showing us the full range of his capabilities-- but he will serve as an effective off-ball shooter and as a switchable wing defender as he learns Coach Turner's system. I think he will fit in well as a rotational wing now, but he has the potential to be well-rounded wing creator as he grows and develops on Eye Street.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1956028' first='Khalib' last='Norcome'] '26 6'5 W Mt. Zion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the biggest sleepers in the area re-classfied to '26, transferred to Mt Zion, and is already seeing dividends in his individual development. Norcome's calling card will be his defensive versatility/upside, 6'5 with long arms and tremendous leaping ability- I expect him to blossom into the 3 and D defender that so many college coaches covet today. The ball skills have improved but I was particularly impressed with the steps he's taken as a vocal leader already for a Mt Zion team that will likely use him to plug the gap left by [player_tooltip player_id='1579104' first='Bobby' last='Montgomery'] being bumped up to the MZ Prep Team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1782668' first='Tristen' last='Wilson'] '26 6'3 CG Mt. Carmel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-An ultra-talented athletic combo guard from [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'], I'm interested in seeing how Wilson produces at a new school with a talented stable of guards at Mt Carmel. 6'3 with the ability to take his matchup off the bounce or splash threes from beyond the arc, his athletic ability and aggressive play style leads to him also making plays on the other end as a defender that can handle either guard spot. His ability to create and transition to more of a point guard role will likely dictate the level that he plays at in college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>KeMari Pointer '26 5'11 PG Mt. Zion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Pointer also re-classified when he transferred into Mt. Zion this offseason and will likely start in a MZ backcourt that is looking to replace a heady leader in [player_tooltip player_id='1579096' first='Logan' last='Suber']. Pointer is a strong downhill driver that bounces off defenders on his way to the rim but can also space the floor with his outside shooting, I expect Coach Dulic to mold him into the versatile leader that he needs to run his team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1782586' first='Aidan' last='Able'] '26 6'4 SG John Carroll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A productive player from day 1 in a John Carroll program that values his elite shooting, Able has been a consistent shooter and rebounder that takes care of the ball and is an underrated passer from above the break. He uses his frame and IQ to get to a ton of rebounds for his position and can finish with either hand around the rim. A devastating shooter in transition, he moves well to open space and sprints the floor to get to his spots in order to create high percentage looks. Lateral quickness and burst will be pivotal to creating another dimension to his game in putting the ball on the floor to attack hard closeouts afer he's hit a few shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1782587' first='Elijah' last='Barrett'] '26 6'3 CG Spalding</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Arguably the best two-way guard on this list, the fiery competitor enjoyed a productive season on the UAA circuit after starting over 20 games in his freshman season. A catch and shoot threat that is ducking under close-outs to hit one-dribble pull-ups with more regularity, he understands when his team needs an easier bucket and takes it to the rack-finishing well with either hand. A physical guard that can comfortably lock up 1-3 at the high school level, he forces tough shots and gets fastbreaks going quickly. He will need to continue to add muscle to his frame as well as improve his vertical pop if he doesn't continue to grow, but he has one of the safest floors among the '26 DMV class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->