2026 Recruits On The Rise: Part Two

July 24, 2023 by Tony McNiff

Recruits On The Rise: In this content series I'll be diving into a collection of 2026 prospects who have been garnering buzz on the recruiting trail. Make sure to check out our full list of rankings for the 2023-2026 classes here.

Trey Beamer (#146 in 2026)
2026 | 6’1” Guard | Carlisle School (VA) & Team United (EYBL)

Top-150 2026 guard Trey Beamer has added offers from Charleston & High Point during the July live periods. The Virginia native is seeing his recruitment grow while playing well and making the most out of live period events. He scored 676 points in his freshman season at The Carlisle School (VA) and he could very well hit 1,000 points this upcoming season. 

Beamer is a skilled offensive prospect who can score the ball from multiple levels at a high-volume. He can heat up quickly with his extensive range & smooth pull-up scoring. Quick, dynamic advantage creator who leverages his burst & shifty dribble moves to create separation from defenders. The shotmaking and skilled scoring package make him a dangerous weapon on the offensive end of the floor. Scrappy on-ball defender who is laterally quick & capable of guarding in space.  

Jordan Skyers (#118 in 2026)
2026 | 6’3” Guard | Our Saviour Lutheran (NY) & Riverside Hawks (UAA) 

Top-120 2026 guard Jordan Skyers has added offers from Oklahoma State, St. John’s, LIU, and Rhode Island this spring & summer. He also recently announced that he’ll be attending Our Saviour Lutheran (NY) next season. Another 2026 to keep an eye on in the Northeast. 

Skyers is a well-built athlete who provides plenty of value & impact on both ends of the floor. Tough, hard-nosed finisher who has the strength to take bumps & play through contact. An explosive leaper in the lane that can finish plays above the rim when he’s given a runway. Still developing as a shooter & space-creator, although he’s capable of knocking down jumpers when given comfortable space. Physical defender at the point of attack who can wall-off ball handlers & guard in space. 

Kayden Allen (#19 in 2026)
2026 | 6’5” Guard | Montverde Academy (FL) & Georgia Stars (EYBL)

Top-20 2026 wing guard Kayden Allen has added offers from Cincinnati, Arizona State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss & Virginia Tech during the July live periods. He also recently announced that he’ll be attending Montverde Academy (FL) next season. He led the E15 Division in scoring at Peach Jam where he averaged 24.3 PPG. Another backcourt prospect to keep an eye on down South in the 2026 class. 

Allen is a prospect with plenty of long-term upside due to his blend of positional size and skill. Dangerous offensive weapon who imposes a versatile scoring threat to opposing defenses. Capable slasher who can beat opponents with his speed, plus he’s an explosive finisher in the lane. Smooth spot-up scorer who has become much more comfortable & consistent when shooting off the bounce in the last few montns. Dynamic, multilevel scorer who is comfortable and effective playing on or off the ball. Instinctual off-ball defender who leverages his length and quick reflexes to jump passing lanes. Potential fast break igniter who can push the ball quickly in the open floor with his athleticism and speed.

Imahri Wooten (#51 in 2026)
2026 | 6’5” Guard | Redemption Christian Academy (NY) & City Rocks (EYBL) 

Top-55 2026 guard Imahri Wooten has added offers from Auburn, Mizzou, Mississippi State, St. Bonaventure and more this summer. The New York native was a consistent standout this spring who was one of the stronger scorers (15.5 PPG) in the E15 Division of the Nike EYBL during the regular season. He’s another guard prospect we’ll be keeping an eye on as he’s earned some early offers from high-major programs. 

Wooten is a multilevel scorer with a smooth shotmaking prowess. Reliable spot-up shooter who is capable of creating advantages for pull-up jumpers as well. Possesses the handle and first step speed to beat closeouts off the dribble. Potent pull-up scorer with a fluid release & growing shot-creation versatility. Continues to flash growing movement skills, particularly when it comes to finishing through traffic or in the open floor. Excels pushing the ball himself & getting to the rim after securing rebounds or outlet passes. 

Ben Ahmed (#148 in 2026)
2026 | 6’9” Big | Putnam Science Academy (CT) & BABC (3SSB)

Top-150 2026 big man Ben Ahmed has added offers from California, Rhode Island, Georgia Tech, and a few others this AAU season. The Nigeria native hasn’t been in the states too long, although he‘s made a quick impact. Popped onto my radar this past high-school season while having some impressive moments for Putnam Science Academy (CT). He’s also garnered plenty of buzz with his standout play while playing up two age divisions on the 3SSB Circuit with BABC.

Ahmed is a physical and aggressive athlete who is a prominent scorer in the low-post. Leverages his upper body strength & power to play through contact, plus he’s an extremely reliable finisher with his dominant hand. Sturdy screen setter who gives his guards angles to work with and he’s flashed improving face-up touch & range. His blend of positional size, aggression, and a high motor make him a highly productive rebounder on the interior. Assertive rim protector who can keep opponents out of the paint with his upper body strength, yet he’s capable of blocking shots with his size and growing instincts. 

Aidan Chronister (#41 in 2026)
2026 | 6’7” Wing | Rogers (AR) & AAO Flight 

Top-45 2026 wing Aidan Chronister added his first high-major offer from Mizzou during the July live periods. Wise move by Dennis Gates and the Tigers' coaching staff to get a jump start on recruiting the fast-rising 2026 prospect. He also holds offers from Central Arkansas, Troy, and High Point. He’s garnered plenty of buzz throughout the spring & summer while shining with AAO Flight.

Chronister is a polished and skilled wing who could very well continue to rise up the rankings. He’s added some pounds since the HS season ended and it’s clear he’s working hard to develop his frame. The blend of shooting & size tends to pop most given his shotmaking prowess at 6’7”. Dangerous weapon off the ball with quick processing and a fluid pull-up game as well. Has shown growth as a playmaker this spring & summer with his improving IQ, feel, and a growing passing acumen. High-level competitor on the defensive end who plays with an edge & contagious energy. As he continues to add strength there’s no denying the Arkansas native possesses plenty of long-term promise. 

Jaxon Richardson (#8 in 2026)
2026 | 6’6” Wing | Columbus (FL) & Paul George Elite (EYBL) 

Top-10 2026 wing forward Jaxon Richardson has added offers from Alabama, Cincinnati, Washington, and Arizona State throughout the spring & summer. He also recently announced that he’ll be transferring with his brother Jase Richardson (#35 in 2024) to Columbus (FL) next season. The Richardson brothers are set to take the floor with the Boozer twins which should make up for a highly exciting crop of talent. Jaxon averaged an efficient 15.6 PPG and 9.3 RPG during the regular season of the Nike EYBL while playing in the E15 Division. 

Richardson is a wing forward who was one of the most productive in the EYBL’s E15 Division. Rangy and long athlete who provides a budding two-way impact on the floor. Leverages ample ground coverage to run the floor, slash downhill or to recover defensively. Puts constant pressure on the rim with his downhill playing style and aggression off the catch. Still developing as a perimeter scorer & floorspacer, although there’s legitimate shooting upside to be tapped into. Dangerous grab & go threat who gets up the floor quickly after securing rebounds or outlet passes in transition. Truly a defensive specimen who is highly switchable between his blend of size, lateral mobility, length and ground coverage. Can jump passing lanes, help protect the rim or defend in space against ball handlers. 

Ashton Pierce (#64 in 2026)
2026 | 6’3” Guard | North Mecklenburg (NC) & Team CP3 (EYBL)

Top-65 2026 guard Ashton Pierce has added offers Wake Forest, VCU, High Point, North Carolina A&T, and Hampton during this past AAU season. He was a prominent piece to Team CP3’s Peach Jam championship in the E15 Division while averaging 14.1 PPG and 3.7 RPG on 44% from the field & 40% from three-point range. The North Carolina native is a talented prospect on the East Coast who is worth keeping tabs on. 

We’ve been familiar with Pierce since his time on our East Circuit last grassroots season, although it’s clear he’s made big jumps in his game since then. He’s a potent shotmaker on the perimeter with a quick & fluid release in spot-up situations. Willing pull-up scorer who also possesses a high release point to shoot over smaller defenders inside the arc. Hard-nosed rim finisher whose flashed the ability to convert layups through traffic or contact with his dominant hand. Defensively, Pierce is capable of guarding in space and he’s become much more productive & physical as a wall-off defender when guarding the drive. As he continues to add touch at the rim and diversify his offensive approach there’s plenty for college programs to like.