Arkansas Hoops Power Rankings
Class of 2026 Boys
Inside the Top 10 and the Standard That Drives the Order
Rankings are not meant to limit athletes.
They are meant to set a standard and challenge growth.
The Insider Arkansas Class of 2026 Player Power Rankings exist to recognize progress, highlight consistency, and celebrate the work being done across gyms, practices, and game nights throughout the state. This is not a list about hype or online momentum. It is about who is showing up, improving, and impacting winning basketball.
Every ranking cycle is built through a structured panel process that includes live evaluations, film review, program context, and honest discussion. No single evaluator controls the order. Each placement is debated and finalized with one central question guiding the room:
Who is consistently impacting winning at the highest level available to them right now
The higher the ranking, the higher the expectation. These rankings are not ceilings. They are markers. Every spot can be earned again.
Below is the full breakdown of the Top 10 players in Arkansas Class of 2026 boys basketball and why the order looks the way it does.
JJ Andrews
Little Rock Christian Academy
At the top of the rankings is a player who has set the tone for the entire class.
JJ Andrews sits at No. 1 because of consistency, presence, and the ability to influence games on both ends of the floor. His impact shows up regardless of opponent or environment. He does not rely on momentum to perform. He creates it.
What separates Andrews is control. He plays with confidence, absorbs attention, and continues to produce when the game slows down and pressure rises. The panel viewed his body of work as the most complete and dependable in the class.
This ranking reflects leadership through performance and the standard that others are measured against.
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No. 2
Robert Young Jr.
Bryant High School
Robert Young Jr earns his position through scoring gravity and competitive confidence.
He forces defensive adjustments the moment he steps on the floor. His ability to score at multiple levels opens the game for teammates and stretches coverage. When responsibility increases, his play rises with it.
The panel valued Young’s willingness to take difficult shots in meaningful moments and his ability to perform while carrying a heavy offensive load. His ranking reflects trust in his impact when games matter most.
No. 3
Camarion Bead
Bryant High School
Every strong class needs a guard who understands control and Camarion Bead brings exactly that.
Bead impacts winning through pace, decision making, and leadership. He organizes possessions, makes the right reads, and competes defensively. His value is rooted in how he stabilizes teams and helps them function at a high level.
The panel consistently pointed to his composure and reliability as reasons for his placement in the top tier of the rankings.
No. 4
Jacob Lanier
Parkview High School Little Rock
Jacob Lanier earns his spot because of versatility and translatable skill.
He brings size, mobility, and the ability to affect multiple areas of the game. He does not need volume touches to impact outcomes and is effective in different roles depending on lineup needs.
The panel viewed Lanier as a player whose game scales well as competition increases and whose presence consistently shows up in winning efforts.
No. 5
Deryeus Fowlkes
Sylvan Hills High School
Deryeus Fowlkes represents the importance of steady progress and dependable performance.
He brings consistency, defensive effort, and offensive reliability. His role is clearly defined and he executes it well. The panel valued his ability to show up every night and compete regardless of matchup.
This ranking reflects trust in his game and recognition of continued growth.
No. 6
Derrick Hudson
Fayetteville High School
Derrick Hudson’s placement reflects the value of size, length, and defensive versatility.
He impacts games through effort plays, coverage, and physical presence. His contributions are not always loud, but they are meaningful. The panel recognized his ability to affect possessions without needing the ball in his hands.
As competition rises, players with Hudson’s profile become increasingly valuable.
No. 7
Lane Webster
Brookland High School
Lane Webster earns his spot by controlling space and possessions in the frontcourt.
He brings physicality, rebounding presence, and interior impact. His game affects outcomes through effort, positioning, and consistency.
The panel highlighted his ability to influence games without requiring offensive focus and viewed him as a foundational piece for winning lineups.
No. 8
Tristan Jahnke
Little Rock Hall High School
Tristan Jahnke is one of the most intriguing development profiles in the class.
He brings size, mobility, and tools that continue to show progress. His ranking reflects both current contribution and upward momentum within a competitive environment.
The panel placed him here based on growth trajectory and the belief that continued consistency will elevate his impact even further.
No. 9
Kevon Smith
North Little Rock High School
Kevon Smith earns his placement through versatility and positional flexibility.
He brings length at the guard spot, defensive presence, and a growing offensive role. His ability to fit multiple lineups and adjust to different matchups stood out during panel discussions.
Players in this tier are separated by consistency against strong competition and Smith remains firmly in that evaluation space.
No. 10
Anthony Hester
Mills University Studies High School
Rounding out the Top 10 is Anthony Hester, a player whose progression has been steady and earned.
Hester’s ranking reflects development, confidence, and impact that continues to trend upward. His performance has moved him from watch list status into clear Top 10 consideration.
This spot is not a limit. It is an entry point for further separation.
How the Panel Structured the Rankings
The panel structured the Top 10 using three guiding principles:
Performance over projection
Consistency over moments
Impact over attention
Players were evaluated on how they influence winning, how often they deliver, and how their game translates across competition. Rankings are revisited regularly and no position is locked.
These rankings are meant to motivate not define.
Final Word
These selections reflect where players are today.Growth, progress, and future opportunity remain open to every athlete.
The Arkansas Class of 2026 continues to raise the bar and these rankings reflect that momentum. The work continues. The film keeps rolling. And the next update will be shaped by who responds to the challenge.
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