I predict that these 6 2026 Hoopers will fly up the Rankings

I recently looked back at the 2026 ranking and I was astounded by the number of star players who were ranked well below where I believe they should be. There were plenty more than just 6 players who deserve to be ranked higher, but these 6 will likely make the biggest jump as they head into their senior seasons.    [player_tooltip player_id='1060871' first='Camryn' last='Schmidt'] had a great first season with Fort Smith Northside after transferring from nearby Van Buren. She was a major contributor in the Lady Grizzlies' 6A championship run and colleges have begun to take notice.   Back on April 30th, Division I Cleveland State sent an offer Schmidt's way, which is a smart idea considering she is expected to be Northside's primary scoring option in 2025-26. Schmidt has also been balling out for the [program_tooltip program_id='712392' first='Banshees' last=''], being recognized as a standout in session 1 of UAA play in late April. She also earned all-conference and all-state, in addition to being 6A all-tournament and a part of the River Valley Democrat-Gazette all-area team.   Schmidt has racked up the accolades, and it is all warranted. She is a matchup nightmare for any defender. Schmidt is too tall for a guard, as she can get into the post and score with her back to the basket. Bigs cannot keep up with her, as she can outrun players half her size. She has a great shooting stroke, and once she catches the ball from the 3-point line, it is cash money.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060871' first='Camryn' last='Schmidt'] should not be #30 in her class. I believe by the next ranking update, she will be a top-10 player in the 2026 class. Keep up with this star forward throughout the rest of her summer with the [program_tooltip program_id='712392' first='Banshees' last=''].     [player_tooltip player_id='881698' first='Chloe' last='Anderson'] is an unstoppable player when she has the ball in the post. Whether in the high or low post, every matchup is a mismatch.   After earning all-conference and all-state this past season, Anderson is looking to run it back with her Drew Central squad. Despite going 22-8 during the regular season, Drew Central missed out on the 3A state tournament, but their superstar is going to get them to the tournament one way or another.   With Anderson's strength and athleticism, there is no stopping her inside. If she has her back to the basket, she can spin off the defender and score, or back them all the way under the basket, ending in a similar result. She can also catch the ball around the free throw line and get to the basket in just a couple steps. She also has the ability to step back and shoot a jumper over tough defense.   Shaq says it best: whenever a player like Anderson has her matchup, it is "Barbeque Chicken Alert!" That is why I believe she will find her way into the top 25 of this class.     I have talked extensively about [player_tooltip player_id='1092578' first='Ashlyn' last='Cossey'] in the past, advocating for her to be ranked higher in the 2026 class. Well I am back again, this time believing she should find her way inside of the top 25 of her class.   Cossey is perhaps the best post player in the 1A classification. She was the defensive anchor for the Greers Ferry Westside Lady Eagles, who won the state championship for the first time in what felt like forever. In that championship game, Cossey was too hard to handle, posting 22 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. She shot 9/21 from the field, went perfect from the free throw line, and earned the title game MVP.   During the regular season, Cossey averaged a double-double of 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. She also averaged 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.0 block per game while shooting 52.5% from inside the arc and 75% from the charity stripe. Cossey recorded 18 double-doubles during the regular season.   With Cossey's strength, footwork, and touch around the basket, she is truly a dominant offensive player, not to mention her great rebounding and defensive instincts. [player_tooltip player_id='1092578' first='Ashlyn' last='Cossey'] will be ranked higher by the next update, you can count on that.     [player_tooltip player_id='1184451' first='AJ' last='McDonald'] is a trending player as we head into the 2025-26 season. She broke out this past season with Van Buren, and now she is ready to take the next step up in her game.   McDonald has received recent offers from John Brown University and Rhodes College, but I would imagine she receives more by the time the season rolls around.   McDonald has been productive for Team Iso Joe, showing off her toughness, court vision, and defensive ability. She recently had a solid outing against Play4Him, where she put up 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. During her junior year with the Lady Pointers, McDonald set multiple school records while earning all-conference, all-state, and all-tournament selections.   [player_tooltip player_id='1184451' first='AJ' last='McDonald'] has excellent footwork in the post and a nice touch around the basket. There are not many players who can successfully stop her, especially not on the glass, where she averaged 7.7 boards a night during the regular season. I predict that she will jump up from #62 to somewhere in the top 25 of this class after the next ranking update.     Like McDonald, [player_tooltip player_id='1060890' first='Charley' last='Rawlins'] has been trending as of late. She has been a lights out shooter with the [program_tooltip program_id='715977' first='AAO' last='Flight'] during the summer, which has caught the eye of a number of colleges.   Pitt State and Northeastern State have offered the Fayetteville guard, and it is no surprise based on how well she has played in the AAU circuits. During the Heart of Texas tournament, Rawlins averaged 17.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 45% from three. In those 4 games, she attempted 47 triples and made 21. So she made around 5 threes in each of those 4 games, which accounted about 88% of her scoring in each contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1060890' first='Charley' last='Rawlins'] is automatic off the catch. She has a quick release and can get going in a hurry. Do not be surprised if Rawlins finds her way into the top 45 of the 2026 class, because #94 is just not right.     [player_tooltip player_id='1236989' first='Makenzie' last='Stites'] should not be sitting at #116. After leading Pea Ridge to become conference champions, she will looking to have a monster senior season.   Stites was an all-conference, all-state, and an all-defensive player as a junior with the Lady Blackhawks. She is a phenomenal shooter who can get going quickly from beyond the arc. She is also a tough finisher inside who gets into the lane with ease thanks to her solid handle.   She is also a fantastic defender. Against Prairie Grove in January, Stites had one of her best performances of the season, recording 7 steals in addition to 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.   [player_tooltip player_id='1236989' first='Makenzie' last='Stites'] is one of the best all-around players in the 4A classification. She should at least be in the top 50 in the 2026 ranking, but she could be ranked higher if she lights the state on fire during her senior campaign.    Again, there are so many great players in the 2026 class, but these players are ranked so much lower than where I believe they should be. The next ranking update will be released soon, so expect these players and more to find their way further up the charts.

I recently looked back at the 2026 ranking and I was astounded by the number of star players who were ranked well below where I believe they should be. There were plenty more than just 6 players who deserve to be ranked higher, but these 6 will likely make the biggest jump as they head into their senior seasons.