2026 Playmakers to Look Out For

The 2026 class is loaded with talent. I went on a mission recently to find a handful of players that are not only talented, but make an immediate and lasting impact for their squads when they're on the floor.    Cannon is a lengthy, versatile player that makes a positive impact for his squad on both sides of the floor. He has great vision on the court and makes solid decisions quickly in fast break situations. He has a nice ability to identify the best opportunities available and execute his passes to set his teammates up with wide open looks at the basket. The way he locks in on defense elevates his team significantly by creating additional possessions and leading by example on the hardwood. He impressively predicts the opposition's next move and picks passing lanes with regularity, stacking fast break opportunities on top of one another throughout his games. He has a soft floater in the lane that's highly effective and a nice touch on his jumpers extending beyond the arc. Calderon is a difference-maker in the truest form.     Matthew is a tenacious, heads-up player with great hands and a dominant presence. He has a long frame that causes massive chaos for his opponents trying to make quick passes over or around him and he uses his impressive wingspan to block and alter shots consistently. He has a solid jumper with nice form and range extending well beyond the arc. He cleans the glass effectively on both ends of the floor and often grabs second and third opportunities for his team. He's a smart, physical player that is surprisingly quick for his size. His versatility is on full display on both ends of the court with his ability to cover and shut down both guards and forwards on the opposing team. Dale is a winning player and impacts the game significantly in so many ways.     Charlie is a two-way, versatile sharpshooter that can lift his team up in multiple ways on both sides of the ball. He has gorgeous touch on his jumpers and his range can take him well beyond the three-point line with ease. His motor is non-stop and he seeks out physicality both when defending and driving to the basket. He has unbelievably quick hands that make him a menace to opponents in passing lanes and in close coverage. He moves incredibly well without the ball and knows how to get open in his favorite spots on the floor. If there's a loose ball up for grabs, Charlie's going to be the first on the floor after it. Church is fearless in the best ways - never backing down from anyone or any challenge while staying team-first and respecting the game at the same time.     Drew is a shifty, skilled combo guard with a nice ability to create his own offense and make plays down the stretch. His range extends beyond three-point land and his release is rapid, so if he's given any amount of space, he'll sink bucket after bucket on his opponent. He's a solid ballhandler and does a fantastic job of scanning the floor and taking what the defense gives him. He uses his body on the drive to create space and knows how to use the glass to his advantage against bigger defenders. Once he gathers, he uses his long strides to cover an impressive amount of ground on the way to the rim. Williams is the kind of player that can wake up an offense in a hurry with his elite playmaking abilities.     Isaiah is a fast, physical combo guard that shows no fear in the lane and a tenacity that can't be broken. He uses his solid frame on his drives to create space and open up opportunities for himself and his team. He's got a nice ability to use the glass to his advantage and the versatility to lay it up on either side with either hand. He doesn't take many bad shots, showing his maturity on the offensive end to recognize when a teammate has a better look than himself. He uses his impressive speed paired with good hands on the defensive end to intercept passing lanes and cause general havoc for the opposition. He never panics in a jam and shows his IQ with how he works his way out of them using his vision and strong footwork. Baker is always going to give his squad 110%.

The 2026 class is loaded with talent. I went on a mission recently to find a handful of players that are not only talented, but make an immediate and lasting impact for their squads when they're on the floor.