Five 2026 Western/Upstate Wings & Forwards to Know
Last week I highlighted five 2026 guards to keep an eye on in the Upstate/Western New York area. This week, we will dive back into the same region and class except this time diverting our focus to 2026 Wings and Forwards. These five players bring elite upside partnered with the with size, athleticism and versatility to impact the game in multiple facets. Each player has the opportunity to be a major difference maker for their respective programs and continue their careers at the collegiate level. Without further ado, let’s dive into five 2026 Wings/Forwards to know heading into the season.
Eli Prince - Westhill High School
Eli Prince is a dynamic 6 '6 wing from Westhill High School coming off of a Section III championship, team MVP honors, and securing a Division I offer, you could say expectations are sky-high for Prince. He brings a rare fusion of size, athleticism and scoring ability that makes him one of the most threatening wings in the region.
Prince is what I would call the definition of a three level scorer; he possesses the ability to knock down open threes with exceptional range, a quick and high release, he can create off the dribble, get to his spot and rise into pull-ups, back his defender down for a post-fade or finish above the rim.
His elite elevation on his jumper paired with his college-ready frame allows Prince to get his shot off over even the most elite defenders and if you close out without a hand up, the shot is going up and most likely in.While he also consistently goes to his one-dribble pull up or post fade. His versatile scoring and polished skills make me believe Prince has all the tools to deliver another big season, keep Westhill in contention and continue to earn Division I offers.
Jamar Macon - Albany Academy
Standing at 6’8, Macon is a top-tier rim protector and explosive dunker who controls the game from the paint. Last season, he consistently was putting up double-digit scoring outings despite limited touches on the offensive end, all while anchoring Albany Academy’s defense with his undeniable presence around the rim.
He absolutely thrives out of the dunker's spot with great hands and sound footwork, always ready to receive a pass and finish high and hard off penetration from a teammate. Macon never brings the ball low enough for smaller defenders to swipe down on it and does not shy away from contact as we saw through multiple highlight dunks last season.
Defensively, his athleticism and length make him a nightmare for opposing teams to try to score in the paint. He racks up blocks but alters even more than the box score shows. His combination of rim protection and efficient finishing around the rim set up Macon to be one of the best forwards in the region.
Carson Chaffee - Canisteo-Greenwood High School
Carson Chaffee is a true workhorse, a high-level athlete who impacts the game with his athleticism, physicality and motor. A downhill scorer who thrives in transition fully utilizing his speed and jumping ability to finish through contact and over defenders.
Carson is already a 1,000 point scorer, he enters his senior season motivated to prove that he and his teammates can compete with larger schools. He is a constant problem on the glass for opponents, routinely outworking the other team to create second chance opportunities for both himself and his team. He finishes around the rim with soft touch, flashes to gaps in the defense to exploit scoring chances, regularly getting shots within 8 feet.
His athleticism, energy and instincts makes Chaffee the kind of player opposing teams have to gameplan for and the kind of player you need to know about.
Jayden Cromwell - Liverpool Central High School
Jayden Cromwell is a 6’7 left-handed forward with soft touch around the rim and intriguing upside as a rim protector. His combination of athleticism and quickness makes him a tough assignment for players his size, he attacks closeouts with a fluid shot fake followed by a sudden first step and is always flashing to space while showing his hands to constantly be a threat the opposing defenses must worry about.
On the offensive end of the floor, he embraces contact, finishing through and/or over defenders. Cromwell has also flashed his ability to step out beyond the three point line and knock down jumpers when opponents don’t close out hard. On the other end of the floor, he has the potential to become a defensive menace.
His long wingspan and active hands make opposing players second guess whether they should enter the paint, he disrupts passing lanes and stays in front of quick guards well, giving him true two-way impact. This unique blend of size, skill, and mobility leads me to believe Cromwell is poised for a big time senior season.
Tamari Reed - Dwyer High School
Tamari Reed is a crafty, freakishly athletic wing from Dwyer High School in Florida who combines explosive athletic ability with tight handles to form a well-rounded offensive skill set. The Buffalo area native gets downhill with a quick first step and using smooth handles, while also comfortably creating his own shot from the perimeter and knocking down jumpers with ease.
His fluid shooting mechanics give him confidence shooting off the dribble and from deep but when defenders crowd him and get into his space, he is just as capable of attacking the rim and elevating for a dunk or using his athletic ability for a crafty finish often through multiple defenders.
The intensity doesn’t drop off at all on the defensive end, he uses active hands and ball pressure to stay in front of his assignment. His rare blend of athleticism, shot creation and defensive energy, make him one of the most interesting prospects in the 2026 class and an easy name to include on this list.
These five wings and forwards each bring their own individually valued skillsets to the floor, but share the ability to impact the outcome of a game. It could be the shooting ability and range from Prince, Macon’s command of the paint, Chaffee’s offensive rebounding and motor, Cromwell’s finishing or Reed’s explosive athleticism, all these players have the tools to excel in their senior seasons. Do not expect this to be the last time you hear these names in the Western and Upstate High School basketball scene this year.
Jayden Cromwell