At the 7th-grade level most forwards are more like G/F combos because everyone wants to handle the rock, but this list is a great mix of face-the-basket stretch players as well as some true posts. They come out of a…
Access all of Prep Hoops Next
Subscribe for access to all premium articles and rankings.
Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inAt the 7th-grade level most forwards are more like G/F combos because everyone wants to handle the rock, but this list is a great mix of face-the-basket stretch players as well as some true posts. They come out of a deep overall pool of 2026 talent on hand at the Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kickoff from this past weekend at LakePoint.
Chad Fairchild, F, GA Stars Cockrell
In that combo G/F mold but with enough size and strength at this level to play a true 3, Fairchild showed a nice pure stroke from deep getting 12 points against Team USC Saturday, his athleticism separated him as he showed off an inside-out capability that illustrated the kind of versatility we saw a lot of in the 7th-grade GA class, the athletic-ability translated well to the defensive end where you could see he was well-schooled.
Aiden Maxwell-Aponte, F, GA Stars Cockrell
Cut from a similar combo mold to Fairchild, Maxwell-Aponte was a little more aggressive looking to get to the basket and did so drawing contact and getting to the line against Team USC, he too stepped out beyond the arc to show off a confident stroke, has good length which allows him to not be burdened on defensive switches as he can easily guard all 5 spots.
Devin Hutcherson, F, AOT
Speaking of length few 2026’s had and utilized their length better than the 6-0 Hutchins, he combined that with superb athleticism in getting off the deck in a hurry both as a rebounder and finisher in close, forced to play with just 6 in their gutty game with the Atlanta Celtics Hutchins was all over the place with max effort at both ends matching a bevy of Celtic options off their bench, impressive athlete with such potential and room to grow his game.
Deven Nelson, F, Atlanta Celtics
Among the better all-around frontcourt performers of the weekend, tough, gritty forward cut from an almost old school mold in how he goes about his business getting things done at both ends, can handle the ball and attack from the wing as well as find space on the block, really tough to deal with close to the basket he made it even harder in the AOT match-up by stepping out to 3-land as well for a pair of triples, finished with 13 in that Saturday game.
Derwin Hodge, F, Atlanta Celtics
More of a true center in the way he’s used by the Celts, checking in around 6-5 he’s a menace at the defensive end showing off great timing as a shot-blocker and pretty good strength on the glass for a lean youngster, the chatter amongst scouts there was the scary upside for Hodge with so much size and pure athletic ability already, adding a little weight and with work on the catch and finish game around the basket he could rapidly develop into an early HS-varsity contributor.
Cameron Wilcher, F, Team Power
One of the day’s better head-to-head match-ups featured the 6-3 Wilcher going against Hodge in that OT thriller Sunday squeaked out by Power, Wilcher was the best rebounder I saw all weekend on any level, great timing and understanding and plenty of size and strength to simply beat players to the ball, was both a beast on the O-glass and on the low block catch, getting 8 on Saturday against a physical Team Huncho bunch and 11 Sunday in the match-up with Hodge, clearly a young forward prospect to watch.
Josiah Payne, F, Norcross Heat
Big body but surprisingly nimble with good feet, Payne had his hands full with a steady rotation of athletic forwards against Team Huncho Sunday but showed out well with 16 hard-earned points and plenty of rebounding action to go with it, like all of the Heat players doesn’t possess a back-down gear as he worked really hard in the tight loss, like with many posts his age as his body changes and develops it will only augment the established skillset.
Jakorrion Johnson, F, Team Huncho
Strength and versatility are what immediately popped out in Johnson’s game, he was in fifth gear most of the weekend taking on defenders of all sizes in pursuit of the rim, he played 4 spots in the Sunday win over the Heat in getting 20 points (9 of those from the FT line) and had 12 a day earlier in a close loss to Team Power, just gets after it with tenacity and combines a scorer’s mentality with good vision as a ballhandler and excellent instincts on defense and getting onto the boards.
