The 2026 small forward class is LOADED with talent
I full expect the 2026 Utah class to have over 80 players commit to play college at some point and the small forward position is one of the positions that is stacked especially with the addition of new players at LCA, Utah Prep, and Wasatch Academy. Let’s take a look at some guys who hold college offers (or should if they haven’t) but haven’t committed yet:
Jayden Johnson, 6'5" SF, Wasatch Academy
A top-ranked prospect nationally in the class, Johnson competes on a national stage for Wasatch Academy, showcasing a D1-ready frame and skill set against elite competition. Jayden has 10 HM D1 offers currently
Jackson Kiss, 6'8" SF, Utah Prep
With his impressive 6'8" frame, Kiss is a matchup nightmare anywhere on the court. Expect him to be a point forward type player at Utah Prep. He’ll have plenty of D1 suitors and currently has 16 D1 offers
Chidi Nwigwe, 6'6" SF, Wasatch Academy
Another elite wing for the Tigers, Nwigwe possesses great size and athleticism that make him a disruptive force on both ends of the floor. He currently holds 19 D1 HM offers and recently transferred to Wasatch Academy
Bryce Mella, 6'5" SF, American Fork
Mella was a dynamic and efficient scorer for American Fork last season. He made a massive impact as a sophomore, pouring in an impressive 17.2 points per game. Expect big things from at AF and we will see which D1 is lucky enough to land him
Ousseynou Sambe, 6'9" SF, Utah Prep
A towering presence on the perimeter, Sambe’s rare combination of height and wing skills makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the state. He’s been a stand out at the NBA Basketball Academy and I expect to see schools lining up for a chance to land him
Nikola Janicic, 6'6" SF, Layton Christian
Janicic brings great size, shooting (he was the 3 pt champion at basketball without borders) and international skill to a perennially strong Layton Christian program, and his potential has already been recognized by college recruiters at all levels.
Massaer Mbodj, 6'5" SF, Judge Memorial
A key piece for the Bulldogs, Mbodj is a promising wing whose athleticism and strong physical tools have already earned him a collegiate offer to Central Arizona with several more expected in the coming months
Koli Fosita, 6'4" SF, Cyprus
Fosita was a standout producer for Cyprus last year, proving to be a valuable all-around player by averaging a strong 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He has several Juco offers already and I would expect several D2 programs to be getting in the mix this season as well
Jelani Odjegba, 6'6" SF, Pine View
Representing Southern Utah, Odjegba is a skilled forward whose size and high level athleticism have firmly placed him on the college recruiting map. He currently has a few Juco and NAIA offers to play once he finishes his HS career at Pine View
Aaron Malone, 6'5" SF, Utah Prep
Part of a loaded roster at Utah Prep, Malone has the talent, frame, and profile of a future college contributor. After a strong Elite camp at Rocky Mountain college, Malone landed an offer at the NAIA school in Montana along with a few other solid high level Juco offers
Gavin Crane, 6'5" SF, Green Canyon
A talented wing out of Cache Valley, Crane’s potential and skill set have been impressive enough to land him early offers to play at the Juco or D3 level. He’ll be expected to carry a heavy load at Green Canyon this year so expect more programs to come knocking at his door
AJ Peek, 6'3" SF, Judge Memorial
Peek is a versatile guard/forward for Judge Memorial who has demonstrated the all-around game necessary to receive several offers to continue his career at the Juco, NAIA, and D3 level.