Updated 2026 Rankings: New Faces (Part 2)
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The wait is over as we have our new updated version of our class of 2026 rankings in the state of Virginia! The rankings consist of 105 prospects, with plenty of new additions and movers and shakers throughout the class.…
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Continue ReadingThe wait is over as we have our new updated version of our class of 2026 rankings in the state of Virginia! The rankings consist of 105 prospects, with plenty of new additions and movers and shakers throughout the class.
With over 30 new additions to the rankings, here’s a look at part two of the new faces in this group.
#50 Dezmon Ainsworth Dezmon Ainsworth 6'4" | PG St. Michaels | 2026 State VA | 6’2” PG | St. Michael’s
Ainsworth was a standout at Massaponax last year and has since transferred to St. Michael’s where he’ll be part of an up and coming program they’re building. He’s one of the top guards in the Fredericksburg area as he’s a strong and athletic guard who defends the ball well, he has good wiggle and burst with the ball in his hands and he’s able to make plays for himself and others off the bounce.
#52 Jisiah Bryant | 6’5” SF | Liberty Christian Academy
Bryant is emerging as one of the best players in the Lynchburg area, after a breakout season at LCA and he could jump up this list as he continues to dominate. He has a lot of great qualities as he has good positional size, he’s an explosive athlete who can play above the rim, he can knock down shots off the catch and he can create shots off the bounce too.
#56 Noah Barnhart Noah Barnhart 6'1" | PG Robinson | 2026 State VA | 6’1” PG | Robinson
Barnhart emerged as one of the top guards in the NOVA area this past season, as he put up big numbers despite being the focal point of defenses every night out. The 6’1” lead guard is a strong and dynamic guard with good wiggle and burst off the bounce, he gets downhill and has good hang time as a finisher and he has excellent instincts and IQ as a defender too.
#57 Cole Perez Cole Perez 6'2" | SG Paul VI | 2026 State VA | 6’2” SG | Paul VI
Perez is in a situation where he plays for one of the top high school teams in the country so he gets overshadowed quite a bit, but he’s having an excellent summer with AKT and if he played elsewhere he could be a star. The 6’2” wing is a very good shot maker who sets his feet and has effortless range, he can put it on the deck and get to spots to shoot the midrange and he understands the game well on both ends.
#59 Mikhai Martin Mikhai Martin 5'11" | PG Bishop O'Connell | 2026 State VA | 6’1” PG | Bishop O’Connell
Martin is a two sport athlete who also shines on the football field, and while he plays in a very crowded backcourt there’s no doubt he can plays with the best of them. He’s a natural athlete who has great speed in transition and a quick first step, he can score the ball from multiple levels and he’s a lock down on ball defender too.
#61 Jameer Reynolds Jameer Reynolds 6'5" | SF Carlisle | 2026 State VA | 6’5” SF | Carlisle
Reynolds has been a big part of Carlisle’s turn around, and was in the 2025 rankings before announcing he’s reclassing to the 2026 class. Reynolds is an intriguing prospect with his reclassification as he’s got great physical and athletic tools, he plays with a good motor, he brings energy on both ends and he has a lot of room to continue to get better.
#63 Caleb Straughter Caleb Straughter 6'5" | SF Varina | 2026 State VA | 6’5” SF | Varina
Straughter came onto the scene as a sophomore for Varina and showed flashes of how good he can be, and he has continued to improve throughout the summer and could take a big jump moving forward. At 6’5” with very long arms he’s likely still growing, he’s a natural athlete who can run the floor and play above the rim and he’s already a very good catch-and-shoot player.
#65 Deng Deng Deng Deng 6'10" | C S3 Academy | 2026 State VA | 6’11” C | S3 Academy
Deng is somewhat of an enigma as he joined S3 from overseas this past season, and while he’s still a project he’s a very intriguing one at that. He stands a legitimate 6’11” with long arms and the ability to get up and down the floor, he’s a good rim protector and finishes above the rim and while he’s got a ways to go he could blossom into something special in the next few years.
#66 Derrius Jones Derrius Jones 6'6" | SF Albemarle School | 2026 State VA | 6’6” SF | Albemarle
Jones makes his debut in the 2026 rankings after helping lead Albemarle to a state semifinal appearance, and like most of the new players could be someone who works his way up moving forward. His brother was a division one player and like him Jones is a natural explosive athlete who plays above the rim easily, he can play and guard multiple positions and he has a lot of tools to build on moving forward.
#68 Ryan Flippo Ryan Flippo 6'5" | SG Benedictine | 2026 State VA | 6’5” SG | Benedictine
Flippo is another interesting prospect for a young Benedictine team with a new head coach who is moving in the right directions, and yet again another player who could move up the list quite a bit. At 6’5” he has great positional size with long arms and a good frame, he’s a sniper from deep with good form and range and he plays with a good motor on both ends of the floor.
The wait is over as we have our new updated version of our class of 2026 rankings in the state of Virginia! The rankings consist of 105 prospects, with plenty of new additions and movers and shakers throughout the class.
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
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