Strand, a wing out of the Canterbury School in Connecticut, makes his first appearance in the rankings at #130. A high level shooter, Strand has an impressive combination of build, on-ball playmaking, and skill. He does a great job of moving without the basketball offensively, is always shot ready on the catch, and even shows the ability to attack closeouts to get into his mid-range game. With his frame and strength, he has the ability to play through contact as both a driver and finisher. Defensively, he shows a good understanding of how to play in rotations, can mix it up in the paint as a rebounder, and is capable of guarding both in the paint and on the perimeter. He remains undecided on his college destination.

I knew Strand could shoot the basketball, but I didn’t know quite how effective he was as a movement shooter and spacer. Against St. Mark’s he was flying off of screens and hitting three-pointers with solid contests—he gets so much elevation on his shot and has the JJ Reddick quality of being able to shift and balance his body in midair, which is tough to defend and allows you to get a lot more shots off. I’m not sure where Strand will end up, but I would think some D3’s should be pretty interested in him.

Strand is a 6-foot-5 guard who moves quite well for his size and is ready to play college ball right now. He can shoot it from three (though he has an interesting-looking shot), and he has solid-enough athleticism to dive to the rim for finishes. He also shows some passing flashes, but I’d like to see him lean into his facilitating a bit more. Strand got an offer from Bryant University in 2023, but he hasn’t gotten any since — a great season for Canterbury could definitely get him some more college looks, though, especially at the D3 or D2 level.

Strand, a big playmaking wing from the Canterbury School, continues to be one of the region’s top under-the-radar prospects. A steadying presence on the offensive end, Strand fills the role of a jumbo lead guard at times. He’s always looking to push the ball ahead in transition, does a great job of keeping his eyes up the floor, and has next level feel as a passer in the half-court. He’s an instinctive scorer that has a great understanding of when to get his own or set up teammates. On top of that, he’s a high level perimeter shooter when he gets his feet set. Defensively, he’s tough on the ball, does a good job of moving his feet laterally, and isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint for loose balls and rebounds. He’s another prospect that should grab the attention of scholarship level programs this winter and could be a stock riser next spring.

Jared Strand Jared Strand 6'5" | SF Canterbury School | 2026 State New E is a facilitating forward who provides stability on the basketball court. He can run an offense by anticipating cuts to the rim and manipulating defenders with his eyes to find wide-open teammates. Strand’s ball moving also translates in transition, throwing deep long quarterback-esque passes to increase the pace. He can also score the ball by getting to the basket with deliberate drives and hitting open threes off the catch. Defensively is another area where Strand thrives, as he is always in the proper stances and moves well laterally to keep up with opposing ball handlers. Overall, the reliability you receive from him is very valuable for any winning team and he should be sought after by coaches and programs alike as a result.