Boys Basketball Preseason All-State: Division 1, Class of 2026

(listed alphabetically)

Anderson doesn’t quite get the attention of many of his counterparts in the lower part of the state, but make no mistake, he can hang with the best. At 6-6 he’s got plenty of bounce and is a constant mismatch for opposing defenders. Anderson has surpassed the 1,000 point mark in his prep career already and is committed to Division 2 Minnesota-Duluth.

Gray Jr. leads one of the most talented teams in the state this season and is considered by many the top player in the Class of 2026 in Wisconsin. He averaged 23.7 points per game and with his lanky frame and explosive first step, he is a handful to corral for opposing defenses. Gray Jr. will head to Iowa State following his senior year, and has 1,235 career points.

Hereford is one of the top unsigned seniors not just in the state, but the entire midwest. One of the most explosive guards with the ball in his hands, Hereford can get to the rim at will. The 6-2 lefty lead guard has improved his shooting touch over the last four years and continues to develop his offensive skillset. Defensively he’ll pick up opposing dribblers full court and has the lateral quickness to keep anyone in front of him.

One of the top big men in the state, Jensen is excellent running the rim in transition and working the pick and roll in the half court. He’s an excellent rim defender where he’s racked up 139 blocks over the last three seasons. Jensen has committed to DePaul and will lead a Galloping Ghosts squad that figures to challenge for an FVA conference title.

Jones is one of the top returning scorers on one of the top teams in Division 1 heading into the 2025-26 season. Jones is a bully at 6-3 and can score at all three levels on the court. He’s got a Division 2 offer from St. Cloud State, and will have plenty of opportunities in high profile games to showcase his talent.

Misslich had a breakout year last season with Franklin and a good club season as well, where he earned an offer from Division 2 Florida Tech, where he recently committed. The 6-4 wing averaged over 18 points per game a season ago and knocked down 63 triples at a 37.5% clip. He’ll lead a Franklin squad that will do battle for the Southeast conference title this winter.

Pohl came back halfway through the season last year and was a key reason why Marshfield advanced all the way to the Division 1 state championship, falling to Wisconsin Lutheran in an instant classic. The 6-8 forward can score with his back to the basket, off the dribble, and step out and hit shots from beyond the arc. He’s committed to Wyoming where he’ll continue his basketball career post-high school.

Ramus does a bit of everything as he’s a scoring point guard that can score and facilitate with the best in the state. Competing in the ever-tough FVA, Ramus averaged 13.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. He defends on the perimeter willingly and will lead a very talented returning group at North. Ramus will continue his basketball career at Division 2 Northern Michigan next season.

Tiutczenko has shot up boards as he’s a 6-8 forward that can step out and make defenses pay from deep. As the primary scorer for the first time this season, Tiutzcenko will have the chance to further showcase his ability on the court. He currently holds Division 2 offers from Ferris State and Winona State.

Zens is a back-to-back state champion and considered one of, if not the top player in the state in the senior class. He’s 6-7, savvy, and has a skillset that allows him to break down defenses in a multitude of ways. Zens and co. will look to three-peat this season and once that is over, he’ll head to Northern Iowa to continue to play.

The twin duo of the Liggon brothers is a big reason why Madison Memorial is the favorite in the Big Eight and one of the top contenders in Division 1 this season. Both Caleb and Ezra are great on the diamond where they are committed to play baseball at Bradley next season. The 6-5 twins do a lot of things really good for the Spartans, including score, rebound, and defend.

When Ott returned from injury last season, the North season took off, leading to an eventual state tournament berth. The 6-7 forward effects the game in a handful of ways with his skillset and athleticism. Ott is an incredible dual-sport athlete as he had options to play both football and basketball at the next level. He threw for 2,252 yards and 31 touchdowns this football season. Ott just recently committed to Minnesota State-Mankato for basketball.

Platz returned from an injury last season to help Brookfield East compete for a Greater Metro conference title. He’ll do the same this season with a Spartans team that is one of the top contenders in not just the Greater Metro, but all of Division 1. Platz has garnered interest from a number of Division 2 and 3 colleges and holds offers from St. Nobert and UW-Platteville.

Riak battled injuries last season and will come into 2025-26 with a vengeance. At 6-4 he’s a versatile defender and an aggressive downhill scorer. La Follette will likely challenge for a Big Eight crown this year and Riak will be a huge reason why the Lancers succeed.

Honorable Mentions: Tyler Barrows, Eau Claire North; Ian Bauer, Eau Claire Memorial; Alex Berget, Holmen; Bryce Bestor, Kettle Moraine; Sawyer Durkee, Bay Port; Cade Felch, D.C. Everest; Brody Gilbertson, Wisconsin Rapids; Jackson Guerrero, Middleton; Grant Hardy, Appleton North; Brock Hodges, Beloit Memorial; Jamar Jenkins, Janesville Craig; Jace Mataczynski, Hudson; Anthony Ness, Menomonee Falls; Kevin Pittman, West Allis Central; Valin Ramberg, Marshfield; Sam Richter, Hartford; Nick Schultz, Neenah; Will Sweeney, Appleton North; Brock Walser, BadgerJJ Walters, Germantown