3A 2026 Bigs: Some of the state's best small town post players

When you look at smaller classifications of Arkansas basketball, it is sometimes hard to find quality post players, especially ones who may only have one or two years of varsity basketball under their belts. This group of 3A junior bigs is an exception, as the potential in this group is extremely high.    [player_tooltip player_id='881698' first='Chloe' last='Anderson'] already has an offer from Lyon College as of August 29th, but if she has the junior season I think she will have, then she will receive some more mail.   I do not understand how Anderson does not have more collegiate offers with her ability to move on the court. She can play the power forward or center position, but she can also play some small forward. Anderson is very athletic and has a great feel for the game. She handles the ball comfortably and takes whatever the defense gives her. Anderson can post up her defender and push her under the basket, or she can beat them off the dribble. If she has an open mid-range shot from the elbow, Anderson will not hesitate to take and make the open look.   On defense, Anderson shows off her strength and brawn with her ability to shut down the paint. She is a rim protector who swats multiple shots a game, while pulling down double-digit rebounds like it is nothing.   [player_tooltip player_id='881698' first='Chloe' last='Anderson'] is a double-double machine who can dribble as well as some guards. If she adds a consistent jumpshot to the mix, there is no way that larger colleges will be able to stay away from her potential.     [player_tooltip player_id='818869' first='Kinley' last='Smith'] is one of the most accomplished players in the entire 2026 class. She has received a D1 offer from Oral Roberts University and two recent D2 offers from Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University. She was all-state and a part of the all-state tournament team last season, and was even Fouke's offensive MVP as a sophomore. Smith's junior season will be one to watch out for.   Smith has potential to become a consistent stretch-5, as she has shown that she can knock down open looks for beyond the arch. At the moment, her mid-range jumpers are her best perimeter-related skill. She loves to find her spot at either elbow and knock down those looks, and her 6'2" frame allows her to get the shot over the defense. She even gets to her spots in the mid-range in transition if the break were to stall.   Since Smith is 6'2", she should be able to be an offensive factor inside, and she is. Smith finishes well against the defense, able to take on contact in the process. She can also make a major impact on the offensive glass, recording numerous second-chance opportunities for her team.   On defense, Smith is a solid shot-blocker and a very good defensive rebounder, but there is still room for her to grow. Smith is already a capable defender, but I want to see her take a big step up on that side in the 2024/25 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='818869' first='Kinley' last='Smith'] is one of the best offensive centers in the state who can stretch it out to the perimeter whenever she needs to. Fouke went 37-1 last season, and with Smith at the forefront of their offense, I would not be surprised if they repeated that effort this year.     If you see the Dumas Lady Bobcats coming up on your schedule, go ahead and put in some extra time in the weight room, because that might be the only way to slow down [player_tooltip player_id='876344' first='Kendri' last='Broughton'] (probably still would not work). Broughton can make you hurt on the glass and on the offensive end, and Coahoma Community College has already taken notice.   Broughton is the definition of a bruiser. She feasts off of post-ups, and if she has a smaller defender on her, it truly is a "Barbeque Chicken Alert." Broughton has exceptional post moves, and can spin around defenders with ease. She can seal them off and gains positioning against them whenever she wants. Once Broughton has a look at the rim, there are not many players who can successfully stop her from finishing. Even if the defense throws contact her way, she can dish it right back.   On the glass, Broughton wins every battle for the boards, and if she is boxing you out, might as well start running back down the court because you are not getting that board over her. Whether it is on the defensive or offensive end, Broughton will win the rebounding battle.   [player_tooltip player_id='876344' first='Kendri' last='Broughton'] is a very underrated player with tremendous potential playing in the 3A classification. She is a double-double machine, but she has the ability to do even more. Last season, Broughton recorded a triple-double versus Manila, which is obviously difficult to do as a big or as a sophomore. This is just another reason why Broughton should be one of the best names to watch out for this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='874453' first='Torrie' last='Miller'] is a little different than the other players on this list. Like the others, she is a very capable starting post player, but unlike the others, she is not an offensive threat, nor has she already established herself as a premiere big. Miller is a lockdown post defender, with an offensive game that has yet to develop.   Miller played mostly a reserve role with Elkins last season. She did play a fair amount throughout the season, but her role for the Lady Elks was to play solid defense, which she did. Miller became a consistent shot-blocking threat in the post, and players were ill-advised if they thought they could get a shot off against her.   Miller was also able to record a number of steals per game. She played with active hands and was able to get a hold of a couple of passes and pick up loose balls throughout the year.   [player_tooltip player_id='874453' first='Torrie' last='Miller'] is a player who is in dire need of additional playing time with Elkins. If her minutes and role can increase this season, we may start to see her offensive game come together, along with her defensive play continuing to expand.     Alyssa Grizzle is a defensive-minded big who can play power forward and some small-ball center for Mayflower High School. Her impact is felt on both sides of the ball and on the backboard. Mayflower is looking to make a run in the 3A state tournament, and they will need Grizzle's solid all-around play to accomplish that.   Grizzle thrives when it comes to causing turnovers from the other team. She picks off passes and passes the ball up ahead to start the fastbreak. If she is not stealing the ball, then she is either swatting it away, playing sound on-ball defense, or rebounding every miss she sees. If none of that is happening, then she is probably not on the floor.   On offense, Grizzle can score inside and even knock down some ten-footers. Her best offensive trait is how strong of an offensive rebounder she is. Grizzle boxes out well and makes it difficult for teams to prevent her from staying off the glass.   Mayflower's head coach, Coty Storms, recently talked about Grizzle's sophomore season and her intended 2024/25 season role in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette's basketball preview: "She is continuing to grow into a solid presence." Alyssa Grizzle is expected to have a big junior season after the Lady Eagles graduated 5 seniors, so keep an eye on this team in the 3A-5.    Again, this is a very strong group of 3A 2026 bigs, and do not be surprised if they all have breakout seasons with their respective teams. Next up: 2A 2026 guards, and also be on the lookout for new rankings! Updated 2025 and 2026 rankings, along with 2027 and 2028 rankings will be coming to this site in the near future.

When you look at smaller classifications of Arkansas basketball, it is sometimes hard to find quality post players, especially ones who may only have one or two years of varsity basketball under their belts. This group of 3A junior bigs is an exception, as the potential in this group is extremely high.