Grassroots Wrap-Up: 2026 Impact Performers Part 2

Bobby Brown

September 11, 2023 @ 07:06 AM

This is part two and the final list of 2026 grassroots standouts that got my attention this summer. Many of these outstanding athletes will impact their high school teams this coming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='876275' first='Payton' last='Futch']-PG Swaggin Dragons, Jessieville H.S.-Already a high school varsity star, Payton is set to break many offensive records in the next few years. She had a banner year in 2022-23 as a freshman and an all-state selection and will continue that success this season. She's a seasoned offensive weapon that can drive to the basket and draw the foul, or stop and pop the 3-ball. Defenses will adjust and create new challenges for her this coming year, but her maturity and an excellent group of teammates behind her will carry that load when needed. Expect the Jessieville Lions to go deep into the postseason with her leadership.   [player_tooltip player_id='1244354' first='Lexi' last='Hobbs']-SG Arkansas United, Quitman H.S.-Lexi has an unbelievably quick step to the rim. She can finish in traffic. She carries a high basketball IQ and offensively plays downhill and hard. Defensively, she's stronger than most of her opponents and can dominate that matchup for additional possessions for her team. These skills will convince her high school coaches to take a second look at varsity minutes.   Kaylon Bean-PG/SG D.E.B.S. Purple, Cabot H.S.-Kaylon's strength is the leadership she displays through her performance on the floor. She's dependable with the ball, hits a high percentage of shots off the dribble, and is a great passer. She has excellent balance and peripheral vision. She is versatile because she can play all the guard positions, then go down low and post up a lesser opponent. Kaylon will be a great addition to her high school team this fall.   Izzie Harness-SG Arkansas United, Marshall H.S.-This 5'8" swing guard is a deadly shooter around the perimeter. Izzie can score the three-ball anywhere on the court. She's extremely athletic and moves very well without the ball. She's one of those players that has a knack for getting open. She can pull defenders away with her three-point shooting. That opens up the middle for her teammates. Izzie has the skill set to challenge for a varsity spot this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='819148' first='Emma' last='Chambers']-PG [program_tooltip program_id='712401' first='Arkansas' last='Sting'] Green, DeQueen H.S.-Emma has great court vision and the ability to find her teammates. She is efficient with the ball and shoots at a very high percentage in the paint. She's unselfish and led her team in dimes. She'll get out on the break, lose her opponent, and produce quick scores. She can score at all 3 levels and is an excellent defender. This 5'7" sophomore guard will find a spot on the varsity team this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1197205' first='Miley' last='Harris']-SG Arkansas United, Marshall H.S.-Miley, just like her teammate Izzie Harness, can shoot the three ball. She's more of a catch-and-shoot player but moves very well without the ball to get open. Defensively she can defend in the paint because of her extraordinary strength. Her 5'8" frame is solid and she's always one of the strongest players on the court. With the double duo of Harris and Harnes, three-balls will be raining from the sky at Marshall High School this season!   That concludes my 2026 class of outstanding impact performers. These athletes will soon attack the scene at the high school level and show their coaches that each one of them has "GAME"!   Bobby Brown

This is part two and the final list of 2026 grassroots standouts that got my attention this summer. Many of these outstanding athletes will impact their high school teams this coming season.