Top Stock Risers from 2026 Rankings Update Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2026 rankings update saw so many new faces so only a couple players went up in our rankings as we made room for all the new names. In this article we'll break down the final four prospects who moved on up after strong fall and early high school season performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2021052"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6764826e1f674"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Owens is one of the more skilled bigs in Ohio's 2026 class and had a big performance at our 250 Expo this fall. Showing excellent year over year growth, Owens went from a player who was just big and occasionally able to score in the paint to a mismatch in the post and a big with the ability to space the floor from 3-point range. Owens is a player who I expect to get some serious college interest this summer during his 17 U season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2109839"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6764826e1f6fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Straub is another prospect who continues to improve each time I watch him play and has started to take the next step in his game. Straub has grown over the past few months and is becoming more explosive and fluid athletically. I'm also impressed with the shot-making strides he's taken as well. One of the highest upside players from eastern Ohio, expect scholarship programs to take a hard look at Straub during the grassroots season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2426114"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6764826e1f760"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Columbus Academy has had an easy start to their season, but four straight 19+ point victories to open up the year is nothing to scoff at. I expect the Vikings to contend for a district and regional title in Division V this season with Singleton as a key piece of their team. A player who is a natural scorer and shooter from the wing position, Singleton is another late bloomer who is starting to turn the corner. Hoping to see Columbus Academy this winter to get an up to date look at Singleton, if not I'll be sure to see him early in the grassroots season. Singleton is a hot name across central Ohio right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2476493"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6764826e1f7c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brecksville lost their first game of the season last week to Solon but Mehendale has had a fast start for the Bees this winter. A tough player who has won four straight 'champion of the game' awards from Brecksville, Mehendale is blocking shots, rebounding and taking charges at a high level. I saw flashes from Mehendale as an offensive player this summer but am encouraged with this consistency in doing the dirty work in the paint. A name that should keep rising in northeast Ohio's 2026 class, Mehendale will be a name to watch at the 17 U grassroots level this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->