2026 Rankings Update: New Names

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have gotten through Memorial Day and are ramping up to the start of "summer ball" in the coming days. AAU season is more than halfway over and July will be here before you know it. It's time to update our rankings, starting with the class of 2026. These rising Seniors have seen a lot of movement over the years and have had a few players transfer out of state. Here's a look at the highest ranked new names in this update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2392296"],"_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-6834e86648f85"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Payne enrolled at Boyd County last month after a stint at Huntington Prep in neighboring West Virginia. A quick and strong point guard who can get into the paint and finish or find shooters, Malachi should excel in the Boyd system that encourages taking a ton of threes. I'm interested to see how he and Boyd play at the Lexington Catholic event in the NCAA live period next month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2831215"],"_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-6834e8664902b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A three level scorer who can get to the rim or knock down an open three, Hardy should be one of the biggest stock risers in Western Kentucky this upcoming season as he has been playing a smaller role but is ready for a breakout. After averaging 10 points and 4 rebounds per game as a Junior, I look for Kade to average closer to 20 and 8 as a Senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2844799"],"_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-6834e866490a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Delaney averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game last season for Letcher County Central and has put up big numbers throughout the AAU season this spring. A bigger guard who put up shooting splits of 59/44/77 last season, Terry could be one of the biggest movers in our next update as he could be primed for a big Summer and should draw some attention from college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2842021"],"_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-6834e8664910d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bingham was limited to only 7 games in his Junior season but has been very solid in AAU so far. Jayden's calling card is to shoot the ball at a high level. Looking ahead, he could become a legitimate college prospect with a good July of AAU.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2842070"],"_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-6834e86649175"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sparrow is a last name that has long been associated with Mercer County in one fashion or another. Andrew could be next up on that list. He's having a solid AAU season and is going to need to be a good player for a Mercer County team that needs to replace over 30 points per game that the Titans are losing to graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->