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2026s to know in Georgia

20, Sep 2023

2026s to know in Georgia

It’s time for the initial 2026 rankings. Some have already been released, and some will be coming soon. HoopSeen is working on a top-25 nationally as well as finishing the Georgia rankings. 

Questions about Georgia’s 2026 class have come up in gyms as people are looking to get a grasp on how to start assessing the class. 

To answer those questions, let’s take a look at some of the names everyone needs to know from the class. 

For those who spend a lot of time in Peach State gyms, this will be an obvious group, but the wider audience isn’t as familiar with these young stars. 

 

Related: 2026s to Know in Georgia (pt. I)

 

Lamarrion Lewis

Atlanta, GA

Class
2026
|
Position
PG
| |
School Team
National
WL
National Pos. Rank
WL
State
WL
State Pos. Rank
WL

 

The first look at the Peach’s sophomore class included young Wheeler guard Kota Suttle, and this second look will start off with his running mate, La Lewis. 

Lewis plays like a guard that will thrive in the Wildcats’ system. Lewis does well in an uptempo game that emphasizes pushing the ball and getting quality shots quickly. Not only can he go the length of the floor in the blink of an eye, but he does so while still processing what’s going on around him and making good plays based on what the game is giving him. 

Lewis should have a significant season as Wheeler leans on its younger guards to carry the torch left by Isaiah Collier. 

 

Jaron Saulsberry

Norcross, GA

Class
2026
|
Position
SF
|
Height
6' 5"
|
School Team
National
WL
National Pos. Rank
WL
State
WL
State Pos. Rank
WL

 

The top of this class is loaded with potential. One of the players that stands out as much as anyone is Norcross wing Jaron Saulsberry. 

His frame is intriguing enough as it is. He’s long and lean with a prototypical wing build. Saulsberry is electrifyingly athletic. His potential for perimeter versatility is apparent as well.

He’s going to turn some heads both locally and nationally within the next year. 

 

Amare James

Marietta, GA

Class
2026
|
Position
SF
|
Height
6' 5"
|
School Team
National
NR
National Pos. Rank
NR
State
NR
State Pos. Rank
NR

 

Let’s head back to Wheeler, shall we? The Wildcats are loaded with talented 2026s. Amare James is another on their list of talented perimeter players. 

James will be holding down the wing for the next few seasons at the Marietta powerhouse. Right now, he’s consistently stood out as a defender and rebounder. He’s not afraid of getting his hands dirty and taking care of the less-than-glamorized aspects of the game that make wins happen. 

While productive now, James still has plenty of potential to grow into, which intrigues because he has shined across multiple platforms in his young career. 

 

Jerrin Samuel

Statham, GA

Class
2026
|
Position
SG
|
Height
6' 4"
|
National
NR
National Pos. Rank
NR
State
NR
State Pos. Rank
NR

 

Samuel has a chance to have a big, big high school season with Winder-Barrow. It has a lot to do with his overall production. 

Samuel is a stat-stuffing guard. He does a lot of things well at a young age. He showed that on more than one occasion during the high school June events. If he winds up converting more than one triple-double it wouldn’t come as a major surprise by any means. 

 

CJ Harper

Atlanta, GA

Class
2026
|
Position
CG
|
Height
6' 2"
|
School Team
National
WL
National Pos. Rank
WL
State
WL
State Pos. Rank
WL

 

Look out for Paideia. They have some talented youth in their backcourt. One of their 2026 guards to know is CJ Harper. 

He really gained some buzz this spring and summer. Harper is a lefty who’s a reliable finisher and excellent when attacking the basket. He pairs that well with good ability to distribute. As is the case with many of the prospects in this series, Harper is already getting attention from D1 programs. 


 


 


Josh Tec
Editor-in-Chief

Josh Tec is a Georgia State graduate with a degree in journalism. Tec aspires to work in basketball media as his career continues. At Georgia State, he graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors and was recognized as a leader in the classroom. Outside of basketball, Tec loves movies and perpetually seeks out his next favorite film.