New Players in the 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These new additions to the 2026 rankings pop up all over the list and represent a wide range of players to watch now and in the future. Some of these guys are having big impacts for their squad this season but even the ones not getting tons of touches or mintues have shown good potential once their number is called. Take a look at some new names in the sophomore class breaking into this update of the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021657"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Pond is a big add to the rankings as a tall guard who can already handle the rock and shoot at a high level. He's been an instant contributor at Issaquah with his ability to shoot from the outside, get to spots in the mid-range for pull-ups and turnaround jumpers, and his slashing to the rim. A lot of his game stems from his handle and how quick he gets in and out of moves, the diversity of the moves he deploys, and his combo of length and quickness. He's got a lot of upside to look forward to.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2307319"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I saw Moore this summer and was immediately impressed with his game in the mid-range and his toughness going to the hoop. He's popped up at Great Futures Prep this season and has shown a lot of that same game as one of the younger players on the team. He's also a kid who's been playing both guard spots and shown some real tenacity on the defensive end. He plays hard and should continue to be a name to watch in the 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2173112"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Williams has stepped into a starting role with the Timberwolves this season and been a do-it-all point guard, helping Jackson out to a 6-2 start. He leads the team with 3.1 assists per game but also contributes in just about every other category. He's a strong kid with good balance, quick feet, and a desire to compete defensively. He runs the fast break really well, keeps all options alive and shows a good floater from the middle. He's proven to be a smart player which helps him affect the game in a lot of ways and fill a ton of gaps for Jackson.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2205067"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Jones is a really quick, lengthy guard who plays both spots but looks more natural at the point. He's a solid floor-stretcher, can find the timing to hit passing windows right when they open, and has some ability to work the pick and roll and either finish or dish. I really like where his handle is going and the potential to create off of drives. He'll be a name to watch who should step into a big role next season but has also been a key guy for the Wolfpack who are off to a 6-1 start.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2307291"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Turner is a tough guard who can shoot a little, is tough at the rim finishing through contact, and has shown he can handle pressure in the backcourt using his body to shield the dribble and get up the floor. He has good strength which helps him compete inside and chip in some boards, but also allows him to play tough defense.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2307309"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The Liberty guard fits right in with the other guys they have in the backcourt as a smart player who mixes up his attacks, can score pretty well from multiple spots, and plays great within the team. He's one of many guys they have that play selfless, makes the extra pass, attacks gaps, and has some tough finishing at the rim. He's a guy to keep an eye on for next season who shows good burst and awareness getting to the hoop.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["2205047"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"He's a shifty guard who splits defenders and uses his body well going inside against bigger guys. He's quick in small spaces and keeps really good balance and plays well off two feet in traffic. This helps him make quick decisions on drives and he's got some excellent vision at times to hit cutters or bigs on the opposite block.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1611575"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"He doesn't get a ton of minutes yet but Horyst is a name I like to step up next season and have a bigger impact. He has natural shot-making ability and shows it in his limited minutes with efficient scoring and a readiness to come out and shoot after spending long stretches on the bench.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["2307285"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Cortes is small but really tough. He does get passes tipped sometimes with bigger guards on him but generally does a good job with fakes and his eyes to shift defenders and open up passing lanes. He's able to knock in the open shots, can create his own with his quickness and ability to stop quick for pull-ups. Overall, he's a quick, scrappy player who's getting a bigger role this season and doing pretty well with it for a Prosser team looking to contend again in the 2A.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658f6e2056e4a"} /-->