Three 2026 Standouts from Early Spring
This is the spring that will see the 2026 class step into a more prominent light. While most of the industry won’t delve into the class heavily until later on in the year, this is the time of year in which initial opinions will be formed with some depth.
At the very least, an outline will be developed in regard to the top players at national and local levels.
I have just started to develop a section in my notebook for this class, and after three weeks of AAU, here are some of the players that have caught my attention.
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Related: HoopSeen Tip-Off 15U Standouts
I have a feeling that James is going to be a prospect that we’ll be writing about plenty as his high school career moves forward. Playing up with TSF’s 2025 group, James made his most profound impact on defense and by being a presence on the glass when I got to see them at Georgia Cup II. He plays with intensity in both areas. In particular, on defense, he can have a different type of energy than most younger players. It’s the type of energy that thrives in a system that emphasizes pressure and creating turnovers. Offensively, he has a well-rounded skill set that should continue to shine more brightly as the spring goes on. He’s already an impressive player as a freshman, and I’m excited to track his development throughout the years.
Good things happen when Malik Rideout is on the floor. He impacts the game on both sides of the ball. He has a nose for the ball and makes plays on defense. That looks like it will be one of his calling cards for years to come. He’s a major weapon on the other side of the ball too. Rideout creates with craft. He’s a strong facilitator, and he can pack a scoring punch too. We saw Jameel Rideout have a fantastic high school career not too long ago, and it looks like Malik is next up in the family.
A bigger guard, Langley impressed at the HoopSeen Tip-Off. It was his passing that caught my attention the most. He can be a primary playmaker and facilitator. It was his ability to find his teammates that stood out above all else, but he showed plenty in terms of being able to get to the rim and score consistently. Langley has a promising few years ahead of him.
