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2026 Rankings Update: First Five Part I

2026 Rankings Update: First Five Part I
Britt Wright
Britt Wright September 23, 2025 @ 09:30 AM
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In this article:

Jaroslav JP Pihtov
Jaroslav JP Pihtov 6'9" | PF | 2026
CA-N
Gavin Dodge
Gavin Dodge 6'4" | SF | 2026
CA-N
Ryder Malm
Ryder Malm 6'8" | PF | 2026
CA-N
Brayde Kuykendall
Brayde Kuykendall 6'4" | SG | 2026
CA-N
Saddiq Alarbesh
Saddiq Alarbesh 6'4" | SG/CG | 2026
CA-N
Jaiden Jones
Jaiden Jones 6'2" | SG | 2026
CA-N
Jagger Merolla
Jagger Merolla 6'3" | SG | 2026
CA-N
Ibrahim Monawar
Ibrahim Monawar 6'3" | CG | 2026
CA-N
Joven Dulay
Joven Dulay 6'5" | SG | 2026
CA-N
Elias Obenyah
Elias Obenyah 6'5" | CG | 2026
CA-N
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PH NorCal Class of 2026 rankings have been updated. There's been movement at the top with some players signing letters of intent, while others have moved up a couple of spots in the top 25. Here are the prospects who made a significant jump because of their improved play on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> [player_tooltip player_id='1703096' first='Elias' last='Obenyah'] 6'5 CG out of Salesian College Prep has had a breakout Spring/Summer with Team Lillard 17 3SSB. He was invited to participate in the Pangos All American Camp in Las Vegas. He moves from #2 to #1. He just committed to Stanford University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2415942' first='Brayde' last='Kuykendall'] 6'4 SG from California High in San Ramon: Goes from #7 to #3. He's a Santa Clara University Commit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2853469' first='Jaroslav' last='JP Pihtov'] 6'9 PF, from Archbishop Riordan moves up a few spots #6 to #4 after playing well with the Oakland Soldiers EYBL 17. He has multiple Division I offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1707490' first='Joven' last='Dulay'] 6'5 SG, from Folsom recently committed Idaho St. Goes up a few notches as he continues to make shots, and add pieces to the rest of his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1711480' first='Ibrahim' last='Monawar'] 6'3 CG, from De La Salle. After having a good Spring and Summer, he's proven himself to be a next level prospect. #14 to #8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2520880"],"_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-68d2abf3bbaf4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dodge had a breakout Summer playing with Infinite 17, and high school team Acalanes. He's 6'5, has good movement without the ball along the perimeter, shot ready for the catch and shoot, cutting without the ball, yet his improved handles allows him to get the rim, working the baseline, and other areas taking the hit, and finishing around the rim. He's taking and making his 3-point shots. 65 to 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2089557"],"_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-68d2abf3bbb8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's one of NorCal's top 3-point shooters, he'll drop 3's from all over the court with deep range, if he finds his rhythm look out. His shooting percentages are improving. He makes the move up because of the work he put in to improve other areas of his game. Improved ball handling allows him to get to the rim more often, rather than settling, he's finishing. He's a long arm defender with better effort on that side of the ball. He could be ready for a breakout season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2089540"],"_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-68d2abf3bbc0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's an improved prospect looking to expand his play from the guard position. He changed things up, got on the 3SSB Circuit, transferred to California High. He had a breakout Summer working from the guard position. He's taking, and making a good number of jump shots, from mid-range off the dribble, and 3's with confidence. He's a strong body with improved handles, getting to the rim and finishing in traffic. He's a good rebounding guard, can come out with the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2089524"],"_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-68d2abf3bbc8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's a hard playing prospect at 6'3, can play guard or forward at this level. He doesn't lack for energy on the court, always goes hard to the basket, battles for rebounds, and works to defend his position. He's an experienced prospect, plays more settled with patience. He'll be a key component on this team, he'll get his shot opportunities in the flow letting the game come to him. #48 to #28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2520878"],"_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-68d2abf3bbd07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malm checks in at #30 rising from #62. He's one of NorCal's better skilled bigs with plenty of room to grow, and improve his game. He's an excellent passer/ball mover, with vision. He sees the court from different angles, including the high and low post. He can spot up for catch corner 3's at times. He's improved his body, and movements to handle the contact that goes on in the paint. He's a double, double prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

The PH NorCal Class of 2026 rankings have been updated. There's been movement at the top with some players signing letters of intent, while others have moved up a couple of spots in the top 25. Here are the prospects who made a significant jump because of their improved play on the court.

Gavin Dodge

Gavin Dodge

CA-N
SF
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS SF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Gavin
Dodge SF
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
HS
Acalanes
|
CA-N
2026 Rankings Update: First Five Part I
Dodge had a breakout Summer playing with Infinite 17, and high school team Acalanes. He’s 6’5, has good...
Written by Britt Wright
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Gavin Dodge

State: Northern California
School: Acalanes
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Saddiq Alarbesh

Saddiq Alarbesh

CA-N
SG/CG
HEIGHT 6'4"
POS SG/CG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Saddiq
Alarbesh SG/CG
Class
2026
Height
6'4"
HS
Oakland Tech
|
CA-N
2026 Rankings Update: First Five Part I
He’s one of NorCal’s top 3-point shooters, he’ll drop 3’s from all over the court with deep range,...
Written by Britt Wright
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Saddiq Alarbesh

Instagram
State: Northern California
School: Oakland Tech
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jaiden Jones

Jaiden Jones

CA-N
SG
HEIGHT 6'2"
POS SG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jaiden
Jones SG
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
HS
California
|
CA-N
2026 Rankings Update: First Five Part I
He’s an improved prospect looking to expand his play from the guard position. He changed things up, got...
Written by Britt Wright
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jaiden Jones

State: Northern California
School: California
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Jagger Merolla

Jagger Merolla

CA-N
SG
HEIGHT 6'3"
POS SG
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Jagger
Merolla SG
Class
2026
Height
6'3"
HS
Lincoln
|
CA-N
2026 Rankings Update: First Five Part I
He’s a hard playing prospect at 6’3, can play guard or forward at this level. He doesn’t lack...
Written by Britt Wright
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Jagger Merolla

Instagram
State: Northern California
School: Lincoln
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Ryder Malm

Ryder Malm

CA-N
PF
HEIGHT 6'8"
POS PF
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Ryder
Malm PF
Class
2026
Height
6'8"
HS
Acalanes
|
CA-N
2026 Rankings Update: First Five Part I
Malm checks in at #30 rising from #62. He’s one of NorCal’s better skilled bigs with plenty of...
Written by Britt Wright
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Ryder Malm

State: Northern California
School: Acalanes
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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Rankings

296 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Elias Obenyah

    Elias Obenyah

    Salesian Prep

    Stanford
  • 2
    Andrew Hilman

    Andrew Hilman

    Archbishop Riordan

    San Francisco
  • 3
    Brayde Kuykendall

    Brayde Kuykendall

    California

    Santa Clara
  • 4
    Jaroslav JP Pihtov

    Jaroslav JP Pihtov

    Archbishop Riordan

  • 5
    Cameron Anderson

    Cameron Anderson

    Amador Valley

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