Boys Basketball Preseason All-State: Division 3, Class of 2026

(listed alphabetically)

Becker heads into his senior season a reigning state champion with Aquinas. A talented multi-sport athlete, Becker will enter his senior campaign having already surpassed the 1,000 point mark in his career. He’s a smooth scoring guard that buys into the team aspect of the game. Becker can score from all three levels, but also can facilitate, rebound, and defend willingly. He’ll take on a leadership role this season for an Aquinas team that moves up into Division 3.

Brone is one of the more underrated combo guards in the senior class. At 6-3 he commands the Hawk offense with the ball in his hands. He averaged 6.7 assists per game and has racked up 422 in his prep career. On top of that, he can score the ball at a high clip at all three levels; he currently sits at 921 career points. Brone is athletic, has a high IQ, and it’s no surprise he’ll play at the next level, having committed to Division 3 UW-Stevens Point.

Oostburg has eyes on the Kohl Center this season and Dirkse is a big reason why. He’s the two-time reigning Player of the Year in the Big East-South and enters this season with 1,361 points, 412 rebounds, and 390 rebounds in his career. Dirkse is a strong combo guard that does a lot of things well on the basketball court that make him a coaches’ dream. He defends willingly, can score at a high rate, and has a great feel for the game off the ball. Dirkse is committed to Division 2 Hillsdale.

One of the best multi-sport athletes in the state, Hamilton is the second leading returning scorer from last year, but will play football at Minnesota next year. The 6-0 guard is lightning quick, persistent with the ball in his hand, and willing to defend the perimeter. Last season he averaged 30.4 points per game and has 1,638 career points. Hamilton leads an Angels squad that is a favorite to get to Madison in Division 3, something state-wide fans would relish in; getting the opportunity to see Hamilton play at the biggest stage in March.

Jones is a strong and big guard that returns to a Brown Deer squad that could cause some commotion in Division 3 this season. The 6-3 guard knows how to score, having averaged 23.5 points per game as a junior. Jones can light it up from deep where he buried 89 triples at a 40.6% clip last season. He rebounds extremely well from his guard position, averaging 7.1 per game last year. Jones is uncommitted at this point, but should garner more looks with a big senior year.

The Seymour boys basketball team come into this year as a favorite in Division 3. A big reason why is the leadership and steadiness of Marks. He’s a do-it-all forward that has proven he can score the ball at a high clip (21.2 average as a junior; 1,133 career points). Marks is a more old school player in the sense he does most of his damage around the rim and in the mid-range. He could very well eclipse the 1,000 rebound mark this season as he sits at 646 in his career. He currently has offers from a few Division 3 colleges.

Pitrof is one of the top overall athletes in the senior class in the state, regardless of division. His lateral and vertical acceleration are proof of the work he’s done in the weight room and in training in general. Pitrof will lead one of the top teams in Division 3 this season. He enters his senior campaign with 1,130 career points. Pitrof defends at a high level and rebounds at the point of attack. Offensively, he’s a complete player as he can score in the paint, is comfortable in the mid-range, and knocked down triples at a 43% clip last year. He currently holds a Division 1 offer from Navy.

Rahn is one of the top big men in the senior class. He broke out during his sophomore campaign, showcasing his skillset when Lakeside made the state tournament. He’s progressed over the past two seasons and earned a handful of Division 2 offers before committing to Minnesota Duluth. Rahn is a 6-8 forward and averaged 20.1 points and 13 rebounds per game as a junior. He’ll likely finish his career with over 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. Offensively Rahn can score anywhere around the rim and has a soft touch in the mid-range while defensively he can guard both on the perimeter and in the paint.

Russel, like many on this list is a very talented multi-sport athlete. He leads Prescott in points, rebounds, and assists back this season but is committed to North Dakota State for football next year. Russell, as you can imagine, is a strong guard that defensively can guard any position with his mix of size and strength. Offensively, he’s great at using leverage to get to his spots while having the strength to finish when he gets there.

Zavatchin makes up one of the better one-two punches in Division 3 this season with classmate Cade Dirkse. Zavatchin is a proven scorer having averaged 21.1 points per game last season and amassed 1,581 in his prep career. At 6-3 he’s a combo wing that is versatile in his style of play. He’s a strong athlete that does most of his damage off the dribble and in the paint/mid-range. His motor allows him extra scoring opportunities which in turn has helped him earn and accept an offer from Division 3 Bethel University.

Baxter is one of the top returning scorers in the state, having averaged 24.1 as a junior while compiling 1,458 during his career. The 6-4 shooting guard has made 200 triples in his career as well, as he’s not a player to be left alone on the perimeter. On top of his scoring ability, Baxter can effect the game in other areas as he averaged 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while also averaging over two steals and one block per game. Baxter does a lot of everything for the Bulldogs.

One of the best shooters in the state, Benish is one of the best when it comes to shot preparation of any player I’ve watched. Last season he knocked down 72 triples at a 42.9% clip and has buried 225 over the past three seasons. He doesn’t take bad shots, force the issue, and uses out of control closeouts to his advantage with relocations or attacks to the rim. Benish has interest from a number of Division 3 teams and this season he’ll get a chance to further showcase his expanded skillset.

Dotson is a point guard at the core and one that will lead a talented Turner squad in the 2025-26 season. At 5-10 he is undersized but his ball handling ability and basketball IQ more than make up for that. Dotson is equally efficient in the isolation as he is in the pick and roll on offense. He averaged 13.6 points and 4.0 assists per game a season ago.

Redington is going to Division 2 Augustana for football next year but will finish up his senior year on the hardwood as one of the top big men back in Division 2. At 6-5 a majority of his damage is done down near the rim, but last season Redington knocked down 35 three-point shots at a 39.3% clip. He rebounds exceptionally well, having averaged 10.9 per game a season ago, and is an above average passer in the post and from the perimeter.

Schaffer is a bully on the basketball court, which is something he carries over from the football field. An Iowa football commit, the 6-2 guard is very talented when it comes to the hardwood as well. With Winneconne moving to the Bay Conference, Schaffer will have the opportunity to go up against top players from Xavier, Seymour, New London, and the rest of the league and will hold his own. He averaged 21.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game a season ago, proof of his overall value on the offensive side of things.

Honorable Mentions: Mylo Albrecht, Northland Pines; Drew Aschilman, Mineral Point; Jameson Beaman, Oconto Falls; Henry Bednar, Kettle Moraine Lutheran; Jake Burow, Lake Country Lutheran; Omar Fofana, Saint Thomas More; Owen Hahm; Shoreland Lutheran; Zach Hermsen, Lancaster; Parker Ingles, Winneconne; Caleb Irlbeck, Osceola; Matyas Larson, Saint Croix Central; Jayden Ragland, Brown Deer; Myron Reuter, Platteville; Treve Stoffel, Mosinee; Theo Trader, Lodi; Myles Zawacki, Kingdom Prep Lutheran