The talent in the Class of 2026 is shaping incredibly well, especially around the region with Phenom Hoops. Going down the rankings in the Class in North Carolina for 2026, it had me thinking that 2026 6’10 Williams Stevens still may be the best-kept secret… but we are here to change that.
When you talk about bigs at this level, it is well-known that big men usually take a big longer to develop when it comes to prospects compared to guards but if they hit their ceiling, it could pay off the most for teams. In the Class of 2026, there are plenty of big men to look at but the one that has so much intrigue and a ton of potential left in his game is 2026 6’10 Williams Stevens.
Playing this past summer with Boo Williams and manning the paint at Davidson Day last high school season, Stevens continues to flourish in so many ways and make an impact on both ends. Yet, when you watch his game today, one can still see the upside in what he could be; continuing to develop, get stronger and add weight, and understanding more of his capabilities in being a strong presence in the paint on both ends. Stevens’ game is so intriguing with his ability to display soft touch around the basket, be active in second-chance opportunities, be a nice force on the glass, his comfort level in stepping out at 6’10, and altering shots on the defensive end; he offers a lot with his presence.
His recruitment has been picking up, which is great to see. He holds offers from Appalachian State, Iowa, George Mason, Charlotte, Charleston, VCU, High Point, Virginia Tech, and Ohio. But that list could and should only increase with a big season, building even more what he showed this summer.
What Has Been Said:
“The growth that Stevens has made over the last year has been impressive, but he is just starting his story as he could be one of the top bigs in the class here in North Carolina. He has gotten bigger and stronger, but also has been developing into a true big that impacts both offensively and defensively. Stevens alters a lot of shots with his big-time size and long wingspan, really anchoring the paint for his team. But he is also a big that displays touch and feel in the post, but can also step out at times.”
“Easily one of the most under-the-radar transfers of the summer, it still feels like not enough folks are talking about Will Stevens and his status as a potentially special prospect. Big men are widely known to develop slower than other players, but that would be difficult to determine by watching Stevens. Defensively, he’s already an excellent rim protector with the length, fluidity, timing, and athleticism to reliably anchor the paint. Stevens blocks shots at a quality rate while altering basically everything in his area. There were several times where opponents would attack, realize he was patiently waiting for their arrival, and then retreat or turn the ball over. He’s a phenomenal rebounder whose sheer activity on the glass makes him a pure nightmare for opponents. Add in his ability to finish and space the floor, and we are talking about the makings of a possible high-major talent.”