It really is true what they say about time; ⏰ it flies by and waits for no man. That certainly is the case when it comes to high school freshmen watchlist's. Every year we get older and every year they stay the same age. It was actually 10-years ago when Prospect-Central released its first high school basketball freshmen watchlist and it's safe to say some of the players have lived up to the hype.
It was for the Class of 2016 and it made up half of the 2017NBADraft's Lottery selections, including 4 of the top 5 picks! 👀 Here are just a few of the recognizable 9th grade names that were featured at the time; JaysonTatum, Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox, Lonzo Ball, Malik Monk, Josh Jackson, Dennis Smith, Jr., Harry Giles, Thon Maker, Payton Pritchard, Terrance Ferguson, & Caleb Swanigan (RIP).
Now just as those players were beginning to embark on their high school basketball journey, c/o 2026 recruits were turning 4 & 5-years old. 😳 Fast forward to the present day however, and you'll find those same little kids, aren't so little anymore. It's their time to shine now and from the looks of it, they seem more than capable of capturing the moment.
Caleb Holt: (AL) Class of 2026
Another thing people say about time; it changes everything. So while most of these Class of 2026 recruits should go on to play college basketball and some of them will even play in the NBA one day, nothing is guaranteed in life, as time always finds a way of altering one's plans in one way or another. That's definitely case when it comes to HS freshmen.
For example, by the time they graduate high school some of these recruits will have reclassified both up and down a grade, some will have quit basketball to pursue other sports (most likely football), and some of them will have even ended their athletic dreams altogether to focus on other passions, like dancing on TikTok perhaps :) 🤦🏽♂️
Then again, for the players that end up becoming the cream of the crop, they're about to stack more bread than most of us will see in a lifetime. From NIL (name, image, likeness) money to $100K 💵 contracts from Overtime Elite, the landscape of high school basketball is big business for the players now, which is yet another thing that has changed over time. I can only imagine what everything will look like in another 4-years once these recruits have ended their high school careers come 2026.
Last but not least time changes a person's body, especially the bodies of 14 & 15-year old's. So while these recruits are labeled a certain position, it's more for organizational purposes than anything else, considering some of them will change positions as time goes by and they continue to grow into their frames. As you'll find out later, genes 🧬 work in mysterious ways and play a predominant role in the life of a basketball player. There are over 500 incoming high school freshmen selected for Prospect-Central's c/o 2026 Watchlist, separated into four positional sections, with 10 players featured for each section, 20 honorable mentions, & the rest are names to keep an eye on for the future. 👀
Stacking up with its predecessor's, Class of 2026 definitely has some legit prospects for the next level, but as of right now it appears to be an average class with no generational talent. Of course nothing is set in stone as more players should emerge throughout the years. For the incoming high school freshmen featured in this article however, time is of the essence. High school may seem like it lasts an eternity, but in reality it’s just a blur and the clock is about to start ticking. So, how good can the Class of 2026 become once it's all said and done? Clearly only time will tell. ⏳
Possibly the top rising 9th grader coming out of the state of Indiana, DeZhonHall is a skilled and athletic combo guard capable of playing either on-or-off the ball. Since DeZhon scores the rock at such a high clip however, he's slotted in as a shooting guard, but don't get it twisted; he definitely has the handles, vision, and court awareness to run the point. Plays with a chip on his shoulder, despite usually being one of the better players on the court. Quick feet, pesky hands, and the ability to play the passing lanes make him an excellent defender as well. Since he’s originally from the c/o 2025, DeZhonHall has been a well known name in grassroots basketball for over half-a-decade, 👀 but now the HS hardwood finally awaits the rising 9th grader. There’s a lot to like about his game, but above all DeZhon seems like a really smart kid with a steady head on his shoulders and judging by his trophy case, he's definitely a winner. 🏆 Currently plays AAU ball with TeamRose, but has balled out with Blue Chips, Mac Irvin Fire, and Eric Gordon All-Stars in the past. Headed to Tindley HS (IN) for his freshman year and should dominate from day one. Excellent work ethic with an infectious personality, DeZhonHall has a bright future ahead of him, with or without basketball. 👍🏽
A consensus top 3 recruit in the c/o 2026, CalebHolt is the epitome of what a future ⭐️ in the game of basketball looks like. You'd hate to say it's NBA or bust when talking about a 14-year old kid (turns 15 November 26th), but barring any unforeseen circumstances, that's more than likely the direction he's headed. Quite frankly, it's probably only a matter of time before Overtime Elite offers him a $100K 💰 contract, but let's not get ahead of ourselves and anoint him just yet. As of right now he's just your "normal" teenager about to begin HS. A native of Alabama, Caleb's an ultra athletic wing with great positional size, a relentless motor, and skills for days. He's a dynamic 3-level scorer, capable of getting to the rack with ease, stopping on a dime for a mid-range jumper, or nailing the 3-ball in a variety of ways. He's a beast on the glass, regularly rebounding outside his area, a lock down defender 🔒 capable of guarding multiple positions, and an excellent rim protector, due to his size, athletic ability, and instincts. In all honesty, there really isn't too much he cant do on a basketball court. He's been killing it on the AAU circuit with Adidas' Game Elite & he played varsity ball for Buckhorn HS (AL) last season as an 8th grader. To say Caleb had an awesome season for the Bucks🦌 would be an understatement. He averaged 16 ppg, 7 rpg, and 2 spg, on his way to capturing 6A All-Area Team honors. He'll have his choice of college's to attend, if he even decides to go that route, but as of right now he's received offers from Alabama, UAB, Tennessee State, Auburn, Georgia, & Ole Miss. To sum it up, he's a terrific young prospect with an unlimited amount of potential and if he continues to develop at his current pace, then it's only a matter of time before CalebHolt becomes a household name. 💯
What do you get when former NBA player EddieHouse marries the sister of former NBA player MikeBibby? You get not only one elite recruit for the Class of 2026; but two! 😳 As we’ve discussed many times before, genes matter in sports, especially basketball. And when it comes to sharpshooting Eddie House, we should've assumed he'd have twins. A 40% career NBA 3-point shooter, plus he's the all-time leading scorer at Arizona State University; yeah, that dude doesn't miss, he's definitely not shooting blanks 🎯 :) So, with the bloodlines of Kaden & Kalek House being ripe with basketball DNA, one can only assume that the rising 9th graders are going to be double-trouble during their freshmen year of high school hoops. Just because the Housetwins have excellent lineage however, don't assume they're about to take anything for granted. On the contrary, they know they have a target on their back, so that should only make them work that much harder over time. Luckily for the two brothers they have each other to train with, because as the saying goes; "Iron sharpens iron!" ⚔
Originally from the Class of 2025, Kaden & Kalek House might be slightly older than some of their peers, but they're still two of the best rising freshmen coming out of the state of Arizona, regardless of their age or their last name. And even though they're twins, their games couldn't be more different. Kaden is an athletic, high-flying ✈️ slasher who can penetrate the lane with ease and attacks the rim with no remorse. Kalek's not as athletic as his brother, but he's a better shooter, with excellent handles, terrific court awareness, and really gets after it on the defensive side of the ball. They play their AAU ball for ArizonaUnity and they're headed to Shadow Mountain High School (AZ) for their freshmen year, where their uncle Mike Bibby is an assistant coach. Already taller than both their father and older brother, c/o 2019's JaelenHouse, the twins are are about to have a House party 🎉 in high school basketball and everyone's invited. When it comes to recruiting, I'm fairly certain the House's won't stay home, but anything is possible and that could definitely change over time. One thing is certain however; they got the keys to the crib now, and there's no doubt in my mind that both Kaden & Kalek will take very good care of the House that Eddie built. 🏠
Not only is the 6-foot-5 JaydenJohnson the top rising 9th grader coming out of the state of Kentucky, he's easily one of the top recruits in the entire Class of 2026 and should more than likely remain a relevant name over the next 4-years of high school basketball. Another athletic three-level scoring guard, Jayden has all the tools 🛠 necessary to take his game to the next level. Great length, excellent court awareness, crashes the boards hard, plays solid defense, there really is a lot to like about his game. Since he plays his AAU ball for the premier BradleyBealElite squad, he'll have every opportunity in the world to pick the brain of one of the best players in the league. Considering Bradley Beal just signed the 2nd richest contract in NBA history ($251 million), 💸💰💸 I’m sure he has a lot of knowledge and guidance ready to bestow upon his young star player. Jayden will attend Trinity High School (KY) for his freshman year and should instantly become the alpha dog on the team. Already holds scholarship offers from University of Cincinnati, Missouri, and West Virginia, and you better believe there will be many more to come. As of right now, there have been 117 players from the BluegrassState to play in the NBA at one time or another. If JaydenJohnson continues to develop his game at his current pace and focus on his craft, he could very well add his name to that list one day. 💯
Chidi Nwigwe might not be the top rising 9tb grader coming out of New Jersey; that honor belongs to previously featured Ikenna Alozie; but he's certainly not far behind. Considering Alozie's a potential top 10 recruit in the Class of 2026, that's certainly no sleight to Nwigwe. The reality is Chidi is easily one of the premier players in his class and will be a sought after recruit by some of the elite college programs across the country. A silky smooth, fluid athlete, Chidi has tremendous upside due to his length, ball skills, scoring instincts, and potential as a two-way wing. Capable of creating for himself or others, Chidi's very effective off the bounce and has an advanced feel for the game. A multi-dimensional, multi-level scoring wing, capable of guarding the other teams best player, is the exact prototype of what today's coaches want their players to look like and ChidiNwigwe certainly fits the description. He's been balling out on the AAU circuit with NY's Riverside Hawks 🦅 and he'll attend the historic program of BergenCatholic in New Jersey for his freshman year of HS. Already holds scholarship offers from Georgia Tech, Illinois, St. Bonaventure, Fordom, Rhode Island, and Rutgers, but you can rest assure those will be just the tip of the iceberg after it's all said and done. Get your popcorn 🍿 ready, because ChidiNwigwe is about to make some serious noise in the world of high school basketball, and you're definitely not gonna want to miss the show! 🎬 📽
Chidi Nwigwe has landed his first offer from Georgia Tech.
The 6-5 15-year-old wing flaunts pronounced measurables along with multi-level scoring tools. Twitchy and functional athlete with massive strides and soft touch shooting off the catch.
Originally from the country that gave you the greatest romance movie of all-time; Casablanca; 👩🏽❤️👨🏽 the 6-foot-5 Moroccan AdamOumiddoch (pronounced Umi-Douch) will soon have college coaches and recruiters falling in love with his game. Super skilled and crafty, Oumiddoch gets buckets pure and simple. Can catch fire 🔥 quick af and fill it up in a variety of ways. Long and wiry with room to grow, the 15-year old has an array of moves and a knockdown jumper with 3-pt range. Excellent mental fortitude, as was evident by playing basketball at an elite level, while still having to fast during Ramadan due to his Muslim faith. One of the most confident players in the c/o 2026, Adam Oumiddoch certainly looks like a star ⭐️ in the making. He's been lighting it up on the AAU circuit with Team Melo & DNA Elite and he'll attend BishopO'Connell in Virginia for his freshman year of high school. Another rising 9th grader featured on PC's Watchlist, 6'1" Jasiah Cannady, will join Oumiddoch at Bishop O'Connell and the two freshmen should make a formidable duo for the Knights. Oumiddoch received his first scholarship offer from Bryant University back in June, but that's obviously just the beginning of bigger things to come. There has only been one player in the history of the NBA from the Western North African country of Morocco. Over the next 4-years of high school basketball, AdamOumiddoch has a chance to put himself in position to become the second. And in the famous words of Casablanca's own HumphreyBogart; "Here's looking at you kid!" 🇲🇦
It was just a few years ago when NavonShabazz was one of the top dogs in the Midwest and Iowa'sNo. 1 recruit in the Class of 2026. He represents Florida now, but he's still the same player he once was; which is a flat out stud! 🙌🏼 He may not be the top rising 9th grader in Florida, but that's not his fault. The Sunshine State is always loaded with elite recruits and usually has at least one top 5 player in the country and this year is no different. While NavonShabazz is not quite there yet, he's certainly in the mix and clearly one of the top rising freshmen in the nation. When it comes to his game, he's a very explosive and athletic guard, capable of playing on-or-off the ball. Excellent physical tools and the ability to create off the bounce, make him extremely difficult to contain and a force when taking it to the rim. He's also more than a capable shooter with 3-pt range. His length, lateral quickness, and instincts make him an excellent defender as well, capable of guarding multiple positions. 💪🏼 Played AAU ball for Iowa's Martin Brothers (IA), but now he's running with Nightrydas Elite (FL) and was even playing up a grade with U15 Team Loaded (VA) on the Adidas circuit. He was also playing high school basketball as an 8th grader last season for University High School in Fort Lauderdale (FL), averaging a respectable 9 ppg, 2 rpg, 1 apg, and 1 spg. The name Navon is of Hebrew origin and it means "wise". Subsequently, the name Shabazz is of Muslim origin and it generally means "noble" or "royal". So, during the next 4-years of HS hoops, the wise noble kid known as NavonShabazz, will have ample opportunity to show the rest of the nation that he is indeed basketball royalty. 👑
It is estimated that 1 in 250 pregnancies result in twins naturally. 👯♂️ The chances of having identical twins is relatively more rare, at around 3 or 4 in every 1000 births. And the chances of two set of twins being featured on PC's c/o 2026 Freshmen Watchlist; well, Einstein himself couldn’t even deduce the probability of something like that happening! 🤯 While Bilal & NaefYusuf are the second set of twins to be featured in this article, they definitely won’t be the last set of twins you’ll hear about from c/o 2026. Besides the Yusuf brothers and the previously mentioned House twins, two more sets of rising 9th grade twins to pay attention to are Colorado's 6-foot-7 Gavin & GallagherPlacide as well as Pennsylvania's 6-foot-8 Emmanuel & Mikel Butts. Both set of twins should be pretty good players, especially the Placide brothers. In 2015, 7-year old Bilal & Naef Yusuf came to the United States (Iowa) from Ethiopia which is located in the Horn of Africa. They excelled at soccer, but had literally never even touched a basketball before. Fast forward to the present day, and the 14-year old's (turn 15 December 30th) might just be the top rising 9th graders in the Hawkeye State. Either way, they definitely appear to be two of the premier recruits from the Class of 2026 and should garner much attention throughout their high school basketball careers.
When it comes to their games, bothplayers are pretty similar. Nice length with room to grow, both players show solid ball handling skills with the ability to create off the dribble for themselves or their teammates. They're a handful when attacking the basket, show soft touch around the rim and finish through contact pretty well despite their sleight frames. Excellent feel for the game with nice vision and a respectable jump shot, the dynamic-duo are definitely a triple-threat on offense. With their quick feet, long arms, and relentless motor, they're also very good on the defensive side of the ball as well. As of right now Naef might be slightly better, showing a little more athleticism and wiggle in his game, but once the brothers get a little stronger and their frames begin to fill out, both of their games should really begin to pop. They've slowly been making a name for themselves on the AAU circuit with the Martin Brothers squad and they'll attend East High School in Sioux City, Iowa for their freshmen year. They also have a younger brother who actually might be better than both of them; 13-year old (turns 14 June 20th) 6-foot-3 c/o 2027 FamiYusuf. He's definitely a player to keep an eye on. 👀 The Yusuf twins have a long way to go as players, but they're off to a nice start. Like all young recruits, I'm sure their ultimate goal is to play in the NBA one day. Whether they're able to accomplish that goal or not is anyone’s guess, but if they ever do turn their dreams into reality and make it to the the league, they'll be the first players from Ethiopia in the history of the NBA. And in the primary language of the Ethiopian people; Oromo; I wish Bilal & Naef Yusuf the best of luck on their journey; Milkaa'i! 🇪🇹
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