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2026 Rankings Update: 5 Breakout Prospects Outside the Top 100

2026 Rankings Update: 5 Breakout Prospects Outside the Top 100
Jay Anderson
Jay Anderson August 12, 2025 @ 01:30 PM
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In this article:

Colin Lamb
Colin Lamb 6'5" | CG | 2026
NC
Custer Prenger
Custer Prenger 6'6" | PF | 2026
NC
Malcolm McNeill
Malcolm McNeill 6'4" | CG | 2026
NC
Aidan Rousseau
Aidan Rousseau 6'6" | SF | 2026
NC
Denelly Coppedge
Denelly Coppedge 6'4" | SF | 2026
NC
<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">With another high school basketball season right around the corner, take a look at 5 breakout prospects in the 2026 rankings outside the Top 100 to keep an eye on.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>USE CODE</em><strong><em>&nbsp;anderson30</em></strong><em>&nbsp;for 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION!<a href="http://www.prephoops.com/subscribe/?coupon=anderson30">&nbsp;Subscribe</a></em>&nbsp;today!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382797"],"_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-689b536184356"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An NCBCA All-District selection as a junior, Prenger is set to lead Smoky Mountain High in a big way in 2025-26; he was a double-double machine this past season with 14 double-doubles on 19.4 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.5 spg as a junior with the Mustangs; his length and versatility should be on display even more given his development with [program_tooltip program_id='2235184' first='NLPB' last='Next Level Prospects Basketball'] on the grassroots stage; an active presence who knows how to make an impact on the floor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15683875/67bdf03f6c2e7c6184fad165' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689b8382369a4"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2481785"],"_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-689b5361843d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another high-IQ guard prospect who's crafty off the bounce and has shown he can knock down shots on the perimeter with consistency; can certainly improve in the strength department but he's still got a knack for finishing in traffic and creating through contact; due for a strong senior year after averaging 11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.2 apg and 1.8 spg in 2024-25 with Laney High</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CoachBJ14/status/1953229330982617259","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CoachBJ14/status/1953229330982617259 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2055526"],"_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-689b536184430"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rousseau looks to be getting back to his old self following a strong stint with [program_tooltip program_id='2375668' first='SW15H' last='Elite'] on the UA Rise stage this past spring/summer; he's a strong prospect at 6-foot-6 who's shown he can operate inside and out given his length and frame on the hardwood; he'll be a force to be reckoned with at Cary Academy heading into his senior year after producing 16.4 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.3 spg and 1.7 bpg as a junior; Bucknell and Cornell have both offered him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SW15H_Elite/status/1924943029904769343","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SW15H_Elite/status/1924943029904769343 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1917812"],"_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-689b536184484"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coppedge is another prospect in the 2026 class returning from injury; he's due to be a strong presence in the Grace Christian School rotation in 2025-26; he was set to play a major part in their success this past season before going down with an injury four games into the 2024-25 season; he's a prospect for DII/DIII/JUCO programs to keep a close tab on this upcoming season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2172142"],"_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-689b5361844d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McNeill is a prospect who should draw some college attention this fall with Durham Academy as a major piece; he's another big-guard prospect at 6-foot-4 who utilizes his length as well as his strength to his advantage to make things happen on both ends of the floor; he'll complement their senior backcourt well with his versatility and ability to operate inside the painted area</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/MalcolmMcNeill_/status/1947266626006425901","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/MalcolmMcNeill_/status/1947266626006425901 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

With another high school basketball season right around the corner, take a look at 5 breakout prospects in the 2026 rankings outside the Top 100 to keep an eye on.

Custer Prenger

Custer Prenger

NC
PF
HEIGHT 6'6"
POS PF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Custer
Prenger PF
Class
2026
Height
6'6"
HS
Smoky Mountain
|
NC
2026 Rankings Update: 5 Breakout Prospects Outside the Top 100
An NCBCA All-District selection as a junior, Prenger is set to lead Smoky Mountain High in a big...
Written by Jay Anderson
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Custer Prenger

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Smoky Mountain
Club: NLPB Next Level Prospects Basketball
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Colin Lamb

Colin Lamb

NC
CG
HEIGHT 6'5"
POS CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Colin
Lamb CG
Class
2026
Height
6'5"
HS
Laney
|
NC
2026 Rankings Update: 5 Breakout Prospects Outside the Top 100
Another high-IQ guard prospect who’s crafty off the bounce and has shown he can knock down shots on...
Written by Jay Anderson
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Colin Lamb

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Laney
Club: Eastern Carolina Phenomz
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Aidan Rousseau

Aidan Rousseau

NC
SF
HEIGHT 6'6"
POS SF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Aidan
Rousseau SF
Class
2026
Height
6'6"
HS
Cary Academy
|
NC
2026 Rankings Update: 5 Breakout Prospects Outside the Top 100
Rousseau looks to be getting back to his old self following a strong stint with SW15H Elite on...
Written by Jay Anderson
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Aidan Rousseau

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Cary Academy
Club: SW15H Elite
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Denelly Coppedge

Denelly Coppedge

NC
SF
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS SF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Denelly
Coppedge SF
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
HS
Grace Christian School
|
NC
2026 Rankings Update: 5 Breakout Prospects Outside the Top 100
Coppedge is another prospect in the 2026 class returning from injury; he’s due to be a strong presence...
Written by Jay Anderson
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Denelly Coppedge

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Grace Christian School
Club: Top Shot Basketball
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Malcolm McNeill

Malcolm McNeill

NC
CG
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Malcolm
McNeill CG
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
HS
Durham Academy
|
NC
2026 Rankings Update: 5 Breakout Prospects Outside the Top 100
McNeill is a prospect who should draw some college attention this fall with Durham Academy as a major...
Written by Jay Anderson
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Malcolm McNeill

Instagram Twitter
State: North Carolina
School: Durham Academy
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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