Class Of 2026 College Prospect Rankings: Behind The Update

<!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How Upperclassmen Are Evaluated by Scouts and Coaches</strong> </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As players step into their upperclassmen roles, the way they're evaluated by scouts and coaches changes significantly. Consistency and growth begin to hold a ton of weight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The transfer portal has changed everything, a lot of offers are being pulled away from high school talent. Coaches don't have the same 2-3 year window to build and develop players. Winning now—and winning soon—is their priority. This shift has forced coaches to look for players who can bring immediate value to their programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Scouting Criteria for Upperclassmen</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When evaluating juniors and seniors, the main questions we as scouts are asking.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Have you leveled up your skillset? Or are you still making the same mistakes you made as a freshman or sophomore?</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Have you added anything to your “bag” that can translate to the next level right now?</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>How are fast are you understanding and retaining things that your coaches are asking of you and telling you?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For upperclassmen, growth is no longer optional—it's <strong>EXPECTED</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to the <strong>D1 prospects</strong>, SIZE does matter. Regardless of what youre being told. If you're under 5'9 as a guard, you have to be SPECIAL (ex: <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/2024/02/syracuse-womens-basketball-player-dyaisha-fair-passes-brittney-griner-on-all-time-scoring-list.html">Dyaisha Fair</a> | <a href="https://csurams.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/mckenna-hofschild/12674">McKenna Hofschild</a>). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What you bring to the program has to out weight the fear of your size being a liability. Being a dominant high school player at 5'8 and under doesn't always translate to the next level. Don't confuse what you do in a high school setting as D1 potential, especially if you're competition isn't college ready players. If D1 offers aren't rolling in by the end of your junior year, then that's a show that your skillset at your size wont help a Division 1 program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY RANKING NOTES TO KNOW</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Players who are in Top 60; are players that we believe to be D1-D3 prospects. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Watch List players are players that we believe to be D3, NAIA, and JUCO prospects.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->