Updated 2026 Rankings: New Faces (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The highly anticipated new edition of the class of 2026 rankings have finally been released, with over 140 players in the rankings, including over 40 new players to the list! Here's a look at part one of the new faces in the update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 [player_tooltip player_id='1660045' first='Donovan' last='Williams Jr.'] | 6'3” CG | Oak Hill Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams transfers into an already stacked Oak Hill team and the Florida native's addition may give them one of the best backcourts in the EYSL after his impressive summer playing up on the EYBL 17U Circuit. The 6'3” combo is a talented shot maker who can drill it from all over the court, he is a powerful athlete with good burst and explosion when he gets downhill and he impacts the game on both ends of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Ladarius Givan | 6'8” PF | John Marshall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2561006,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageu7OoOL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageu7OoOL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2561006" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Alabama native transfers to John Marshall where he'll team up with [player_tooltip player_id='1782682' first='Latrell' last='Allmond'] to make for the scariest front court in the state, if not one of the scariest in the country, as his mix of athleticism and versatility gives them a walking mismatch they can do a lot with. Already committed to Mississippi State, Givan is a natural athlete who is explosive as a finisher and a rim protector, he runs the floor with the guards, he can stretch the defense with his outside shooting and he has a mean streak to the way he plays too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 [player_tooltip player_id='1370507' first='Shane' last='Pendergrass'] | 6'8” PF | Hargrave</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2520851,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Pendergrass-Shane-scaled-crop-1569x1030-1723300144.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Pendergrass-Shane-scaled-crop-1569x1030-1723300144.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2520851" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pendergrass is set to be one of the top stock risers in the entire country after his big summer with DC Premier which brought him national attention, and after transferring from Mount Zion in Maryland he'll be able to prove his worth playing up in the Elite Prep League. The 6'8” forward is a walking mismatch as he is a knock down shooter from deep, has great ball skills to put it on the deck and he's able to guard almost any position on the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 [player_tooltip player_id='1595666' first='Ethan' last='Mgbako'] | 6'6” SG | Oak Hill Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mgbako transfers to Oak Hill from Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, and coming off a big summer on the EYBL Circuit he's set to see his stock sky rocket in the EYSL this year. The 6'6” wing is big and physical as he gets downhill and finishes through traffic effortlessly, he's a knock down shooter from deep with great range and he's an explosive finisher who is fearless around the rim too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7 [player_tooltip player_id='1963390' first='Kosi' last='Mgbejiofor'] | 6'10” C | Blue Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2422159,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageoTFOwj.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/tempImageoTFOwj.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2422159" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mgbejiofor is back in the rankings after transferring from Winston Salem Christian to Blue Ridge, and he's at a great spot that is known for developing talented big men and turning potential into production. At 6'10” he's able to do things most at his size can't as he runs the floor like a gazelle, he's an elite rim protector with great length and timing and he continues to develop his touch and arsenal in the post as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#17 [player_tooltip player_id='1810739' first='Da'Kylan' last='Hill'] | 6'8” PF | Massanutten</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill transfers to Massanutten from Georgia and has reclassified to the 2026 class while still playing up on their post grad team, and that should bold well for him to round out his game and get his body right. He's a physical throwback style of four man that will punish you in the paint with his strength, he has great touch around the rim and in the midrange and he's a monster hitting the glass for second chance opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->