Top New Forwards from 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 rankings update saw 20 players make their debut this cycle, in this article I'll break down six forwards who were added thanks to strong ends to their Sophomore season or strong starts to their spring grassroots season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386495"],"_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":"A player who got bench minutes on the Division II state champions, Fenton appeared in all 30 games this season. Averaging 3.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, Fenton Jr was a valuable piece to his team as just a Sophomore. Flashing even more upside on the grassroots circuit, Fenton Jr looks the part with how he moves at his size. In the state semifinals, Fenton Jr flashed perimeter shooting ability with a pair of made 3-pointers. I expect Fenton Jr to continue to improve and Kettering Alter will once again be expecting to make a deep tournament run with a stacked 2025 group returning alongside Fenton Jr in the 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1984820"],"_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":"There are few athletes as diverse as Lucas is. A four sport athlete at Walnut Ridge, Lucas is making noise 12 months a year. When you see Lucas it isn't a surprise that he's able to contribute in multiple sports with an excellent frame. On the hardwood, Lucas plays bigger than his listed height and is tough on the interior. Also capable of stretching out the defense with spot-up jumpers, Lucas had some big scoring games last season. His future at the college level likely lies on the gridiron but Lucas is one of the most impressive overall athletes in Ohio he deserves a spot in our rankings as well.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1943738"],"_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":"Another football first athlete, McCutchan is ranked as a three star as a tight end with offers from Cincinnati, Duke, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Purdue and more. Also talented on the hardwood, McCutchan would follow in a line of GCL-South gridiron standouts who also found ways to be valuable high school basketball players. With good size, physicality and rebounding, many football skills translate to the hardwood for McCutchan. Combine these skills with the ability to score in the paint efficiently and soft hands, McCutchan will be a valuable piece for the Crusaders.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["2109839"],"_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":"Saint Clairsville has some of the best talent in the east district with Straub and [player_tooltip player_id='1952003' first='Tyson' last='Pastor'] returning. I caught Straub with MR22 Elite at the Queen City Clash on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Impressed by his ability to space the floor and play on the perimeter, Straub fits the stretch-forward archetype that has become more and more common. While I'm impressed with where Straub currently is at, there's still a lot more room for growth in his game. When Straub starts to fill out his frame and further develop physically, I expect his numbers to skyrocket against small town competition.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2377837"],"_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":"Youngstown Ursuline had a great run to the state semis and Miller showed some real potential during their playoff run. On a team with a lot of young talent, Miller has a role due to his size, rebounding and ability to space the floor. Also making an impact for Midwest Basketball Club Gold 16 U, Miller has continued his momentum into the spring. A name to know from Youngstown's 2026 class, Miller could become a household name as Ursuline prepares for a big season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1943745"],"_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":"We saw Witcher on the Prep Hoops Circuit last summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2075517' first='Hopson' last='Elite']'s 15 U group, Witcher is a player who has been on our radar for a while. Making the jump from our watch list to our rankings, Witcher had a productive sophomore season and is dangerous in the paint with his vertical explosiveness. His athleticism allows him to throw down powerful dunks in the paint and block shots on the defensive end. I'm excited to catch Witcher soon with [program_tooltip program_id='2075517' first='Hopson' last='Elite'] this summer.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-663cdee74e46d"} /-->