The Top Bigs in the 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest update of the 2026 Ranking is here! Without further ado, let's take a look at the top post players this class has to offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876349"],"_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-68bc908fb93b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='876349' first='Kaylee' last='Ward'] is not only the best center in the 2026 class, but she is the best in the entire state of Arkansas. She holds multiple Division I offers, and she is ready for a monster senior season with Mansfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ward is extremely hard to guard on the block. She uses her strength to back down the defense under the basket, then she uses her great footwork to maneuver her way around. Ward is a great finisher, so good contests don't bother her much.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to being a great offensive player, Ward can rebound at a high level. With her 6'3" frame, she towers over the competition, but she has excellent instincts on the glass, able to grab every board in her sight. She is also a phenomenal defender, proven to be a legitimate rim protector.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='876349' first='Kaylee' last='Ward'] will continue to prove that she is the best center in Arkansas, while still battling to break into the top two of the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["818869"],"_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-68bc908fb941a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For college coaches just now catching on to [player_tooltip player_id='818869' first='Kinley' last='Smith'], she is off the board. Fouke's star is committed to the University of North Dakota, but she has one more season of high school basketball to finish first.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If I had to describe Smith's game in one word, I would say versatile. She averaged 12.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game as a junior, while proving to be a solid stretch-5. She can knock down the three-ball of the catch efficiently, and she can also take a step inside and hit those jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has shown improvements in taking the defense off the dribble, which is difficult for most post players. She plays under control, absorbs the defense's bumps, and finds creases to finish through. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Add her solid rebounding and defensive prowess, and [player_tooltip player_id='818869' first='Kinley' last='Smith'] is one of the best all-around players in the class. It makes complete and total sense as to why Smith went flying up the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1092578"],"_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-68bc908fb9468"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1092578' first='Ashlyn' last='Cossey'] had a great summer. Right after leading Westside to their first state title in decades, she flew up the rankings, and she picked up some great college offers. Now, she is ready to take the Lady Eagles back to the big game and maybe pick up some more offers in the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cossey is nearly impossible to stop in the post. She has great footwork and coordination with the ball in her hands, finding ways to get a good look inside. She can then hit easy shots off the glass through tough defense. Cossey also scores a fair amount of second-chance points, thanks to her hustle and effort on the backboard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other end of the floor, Cossey is an excellent shot blocker who uses perfect timing to send the opposition's shots into the stands. Like on the offensive end, she is a fantastic rebounder who can start the break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1092578' first='Ashlyn' last='Cossey'] is the anchor for the reigning 1A state champs, and colleges like East Central, Lyon, North Arkansas, and others have noticed that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876344"],"_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-68bc908fb94be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='876344' first='Kendri' last='Broughton'] is off the board, as she is committed to Arkansas Tech, and I have no doubt she will take her great play from Dumas to Russellville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broughton is a tough player. She is a great rebounder who is one of the best in the state at boxing out the competition. On the offensive glass, she is brilliant at creating second-chance opportunities, and she is an efficient finisher, so most of her points come in the paint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to her work on the offensive glass, she can create her own offense on the block. She can back down her defender and use moves such as a spin or a drop-step to get past them, scoring with ease. Sometimes, she just hits them with her power and moves them out of the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='876344' first='Kendri' last='Broughton'] is back with a Dumas team that is prepared to shake things up in the 3A classification, so get your popcorn ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["881698"],"_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-68bc908fb950f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drew Central's star just keeps rising in the ranking, but she is still not getting the collegiate attention she deserves. However, I think she will surprise a lot of people this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like several other players mentioned in this article, Anderson is highly versatile. She handles the ball well, being able to go coast-to-coast on the fastbreak if she pleases. Anderson is a great finisher, and she can score anywhere in the paint, against any defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson can also play as a traditional power forward or center. She can post up on the block, back her defender down, and score with ease. Rebounding comes naturally for her, and she can get it down on both ends. Defensively, Anderson has shown she can block shots at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='881698' first='Chloe' last='Anderson'] is one of the state's best bigs, and she will use her senior season to prove that to everyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060845"],"_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-68bc908fb9558"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1060845' first='Livi' last='Fosness'] is another quality big off the recruiting board, as she committed to Harding in the spring. She had a big junior season with the Lady Bombers, breaking some records. Now, she is back and ready to do it all over again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fosness put the state on notice during the 5A state tournament. She had 11 points and 15 rebounds in a close win over Nettleton, but she was an absolute machine against Little Rock Christian. Against the Lady Warriors, she logged 21 points, 1 steal, and a playoff record (I'm pretty sure) of 26 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the combined 41 rebounds over two tournament games were not enough of an indication that Fosness is an incredible rebounder, then I don't know what else would be. In addition to her ridiculous rebounding numbers, she is a great post finisher, converting a good portion of her second chance opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1060845' first='Livi' last='Fosness'] could have another record-breaking season with Mountain Home, and Harding Bison fans should be excited to see that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->