Breakout players in the Playoffs: Class of 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being consistent is one way to stay on the floor as a basketball player. Staying consistent in big moments, is a good way to garner the trust of your teammates and coaching staff. The CHSAA playoffs have seen a few upsets as well as a few last second shots. Now, let's take a closer look at a group of 2026 breakout players, who have taken their game up a few notches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1729827"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1729827' first='Josh' last='Powell'] is a 3-level scorer with a good feel for the game. With the ball in his hands, Powell surveys the defense and moves like he knows exactly what he wants to do. Against Mount St. Michael, Powell broke down the defense off the dribble with a quick first step. But if defenders recovered well, Powell is equipped with a nice midrange shot. Powell also shoots well from behind the 3-point on catch-and-shoot and pull up attempts. On defense, Powell is a threat in the passing lane. And has the strength plus athleticism to keep guards from penetrating the lane easily.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e749dbbbfb2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Caleb Garutti","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Regis HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Caleb Garutti is 6'3u0022 with long arms that help him get off difficult layups in the post. There were a couple of times during the CHSAA B Division championship game, Garutti was able to get off a shot surrounded by defenders on the low block. But Garutti is most dangerous behind the 3-point line. With those long arms, Garutti has a high release point and made big shots for Regis basketball. His all around effort, on the defensive end energized the team in key moments. Next year, Garutti will have a larger role offensively and is a good prospect to watch now.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e749dbbc0b9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1880462"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2369406,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1880462' first='Kamari' last='Whyte'] is easily one of the strongest players in NYC high school basketball. The size of the defender does not matter, Whyte will score and rebound despite their presence. In addition, to being a force around the low block area, Whyte is continuing to improve as a shooter. During the CHSAA playoffs Whyte knocked down open threes, and hit 7 three-pointers in a contest during the regular season. As a ball handler, Whyte is looking to get to the rim. And for majority of defenders it's a tough task keeping Whyte away from the basket because of his strength.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e749dbbc150"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1729822"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2369413,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1729822' first='Oesoemano' last='Sacko'] has been unstoppable in the CHSAA playoffs for St. Francis Prep. Using his big body, Sacko is able to get into position for rebounds and converts majority of his put back attempts or is fouled in the process. In the flow of the offense, Sacko possesses a slew of low post moves. Against, Nazareth and Cardinal Hayes, Sacko was able to show his low post versatility. Utilizing a variety of quick and power moves to create space. When he needs to step behind the 3-point line, Sacko has been just as deadly. And during the CHSAA playoffs, Sacko has been killing defenses who don't respect his shot.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e749dbbc1e6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1729830"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2369417,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1729830' first='Troy' last='Fason Jr'].'s  game is growing in all the right ways. On defense, Fason is smarter stronger and faster than last season, continuing his pesky ways. Because of his strength and athleticism, Fason is excellent when defending layups at the rim. However already strong defensively, Fason has made tremendous improvement on the offensive side of the ball. For St. Francis Prep, Fason is initiating offense, creating his own shot off the dribble, in addition to knocking down open threes. Fason's relentless energy is an important component to his play. As Fason seems to never take a break on any possession.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e749dbbc279"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2369419,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Hassan Cisse","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Raymond High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hassan Cisse is seeing a lot of action this postseason for St. Raymond's due to his effort on defense. When called upon, Cisse delivered when asked to guard dynamic guards. The sophomore is smart and does a good job not biting on fakes. Cisse is comfortable with the ball in his hands. But is steadily improving as 3-point shooter. Knocking down a couple of open threes during the CHSAA playoffs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e749dbbc333"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2369423,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nassir Campbell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cardinal Hayes","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Nassir Campbell is a high-energy player for Cardinal Hayes. In his role, Campbell flourishes as a forward crashing the glass. Either creating fast break or second chances opportunities for his team. In the CHSAA playoffs Campbell has shown the ability to get a shot off in the post while going at bigger defenders. On defense, Campbell can guard wing players and bigs. He showed signs of leadership telling teammates where to be and where the help was coming from. Plus, Campbell was able to flex his athletic ability by helping on defense and still getting to the rim on several occasions to contest layups.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e749dbbc3db"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On this list, [player_tooltip player_id='1729822' first='Oesoemano' last='Sacko'], [player_tooltip player_id='1729830' first='Troy' last='Fason Jr']. and Hassan Cisse are still in CHSAA AA title contention. This would be a good time to check in on the class of 2026. We expect more from these breakout players in these final contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->