3/11/2024 basketball Edit

I've Got Five On It: Prospects that missed the 2026 rankings cut

Rob Cassidy • Basketball Recruiting

Basketball Recruiting Director

Rivals Rankings Week has come and gone, but this Monday brings with it one final look back at the week that was, as national analyst Rob Cassidy explores five prospects that just missed the cut when the 2026 rankings expanded to 100. Below, he dives into why each will likely see his name when the list grows again in June.

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MORE: Kentucky lands five-star legacy prospect Karter Knox

2024 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position

2025 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team

2026 Rankings: Top 65

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A hyper-intriguing big man out of New York City, Sacko is a double-double machine with a frame and instincts of a much older and more mature prospect. He’s come on as a rim protector and also shows signs of semi-reliable long-range shooting, which allows him to space the floor and create matchup problems.

We’ve only seen the 6-foot-8 combo forward on streams thus far, but he has a skill set that suggests the top-100 is not out of range as he develops and the sample size on him grows. Seeing Sacko live will be a high priority for scouts and coaches this summer, as he feels like the type of prospect that could bust aggressively into the rankings in the next update because of his massive long-term potential.

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A well-rounded guard out of Arkansas, Lanier has been stuffing box scores all season and has already eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his high school career. The long, skilled wing is a versatile weapon that has the length and agility to guard multiple positions and can even play the point in a pinch.

He profiles as a possible top-100 prospect and could bust through the door to that range this summer, when he takes the floor against high-level competition. Currently a sophomore at Arkansas’ Maumelle High School, Lanier could be in for a breakout summer with MoKan Elite in the EYBL, as he’ll have the platform to expose the nation to his well-rounded game.

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A 6-foot-10 big man out of Kansas, whom we have yet to see live, Taylor’s reputation precedes him, as Midwest people in the know are buzzing about the center’s long-term potential. Taylor, who plays alongside Lanier for MoKan Elite, will be part of a well-watched squad in the EYBL this summer and should see his national stock rise after doing so.

On tape, Taylor shows the kind of athleticism, fluidity and instincts that make him an intriguing long-term prospect, even if the track record of production isn’t there just yet. Taylor could take massive steps from both a development and rankings standpoint in the year ahead.

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A Mississippi product that already holds an Ole Miss offer, Tyson is a 6-foot-7 wing that started making noise in the Southeast last summer and is poised to take another step toward becoming a national prospect this summer.

The long, versatile wing will play the grassroots circuit with Team Thad and could jump into the top-100 with a big summer. Tyson plays his high school ball at Oxford High, just five miles away from Ole Miss’ campus, and is a priority target for Chris Beard and his program already.

Tyson has a nice pull-up jumper and a solid handle to go along with his length and fluidity. He should see his offer list expand quickly in the year ahead.

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A prolific three-point shooter out of the DMV area, Ranson still needs to become a more complete and consistent player in order to crack the rankings but his elite shooting ability is enough to get him on the rankings radar.

He’ll take the next step as he becomes a better shot creator and proves his game extends beyond being a long-range bomber. Ranson will play the summer circuit with Team Thrill on the Under Armour circuit and could see his stock soar as he proves he’s more than just a 3-point specialist. Ranson plays with poise when handling the ball in addition to his volume scoring ability.