As basketball embraces the philosophies of a positionless game, impact talent along the wing and in the post only becomes more valuable.
There's a group of high-level talent in this region that gets overlooked because the players don't dominate possessions or rack up highlights. But they're undoubtedly making a winning impact through timely buckets, defensive stops and more hustle plays. The next installment of our under-the-radar lists takes a look at some such wings and forwards in the 2026 class.
Only a few of these standouts are top scoring options on their teams. They may range from shooting guards who I nearly included in the guards list, to more traditional forwards, to even one post player. Some are Division 1 prospects and others will shine in Division 2 or 3. But all of them deserve more praise for how they affect the team game, and you'll notice versatility emerge as a key thread throughout.
Here are 10 players I've grown to appreciate for their two-way performance.
MORE:Â 10 underrated 2026 guards
Bella Bingham, Walpole
5-9 guard/forward
Hometown: Walpole, Mass.
NCAA: Fairfield (soccer)
Bingham is one of the most talented multi-sport athletes on the MIAA scene. She would be a college-bound basketball player, likely at a high-level Division 2 or 3 school, if not for her prowess on the pitch. Bingham is a strong, powerful driver with great body control around the basket and a nose for rebounds. She'll be one of the best MIAA hoopers this season as Walpole looks to stay contending under a new head coach. I don't know what Fairfield's protocols are for practice players or walk-ons, but they should get Bingham involved.
Tamia Darling, Cathedral
5-9 guard/forward
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
Cathedral will lean heavily on Darling's defense and athletic tools as they move up to MIAA Division 3. She is a standout leaper who dominates for her size on the glass and finishes some tough layups through contact. I've watched Darling smother opponents while guarding the ball and her length also makes her a problem (complimentary!) on defense. She is not a consistent shooter right now; otherwise Darling would be in a totally different prospect tier for me. She's still a definite Div. 2 or 3 talent who impacts winning in several ways.
Uliana "Lee" Doronina, Hoosac
6-2 guard/forward
Hometown: Russia
Doronina is on Division 1 radars with Quinnipiac and Middle Tennessee the reported frontrunners. Her game is not flashy, but she's intriguing as a big wing who can handle the ball and drive, score out of the post and defend multiple positions. Hoosac coach Julie McBride has repeatedly called Doronina perhaps the most skilled player on her roster, which is saying something given Hoosac's competitive presence in NEPSAC AAA. In her third year living in the United States, Doronina is primed for a leap before she heads to college.
Isys Dunphy, Cushing
5-10 guard/forward
Hometown: Barrington, R.I.
Dunphy possesses similar traits to a lot of underrated wings on this list: fast, long, versatile and high-motor. She's a fantastic defender with those tools, truly capable of matching up against guards all the way to some stronger forwards. Dunphy gets deflections and forces turnovers in help and then flies down the floor on fast breaks. On offense, she's best driving in a straight line and finishing through contact, though she'll show some flashes of short pull-up jumpers and catch-and-shoot 3s.
Vanessa Ellis, Nobles
5-11 forward
Hometown: Attleboro, Mass.
NCAA: Bentley
As I write this, Ellis has announced her commitment to Bentley — yet another great local get by the Falcons. She played a major role as one of the top defenders on Nobles' NEPSAC AAA runner-up squad last winter. Ellis is strong and embraces physicality, is capable of battling against larger forwards, and is also a smart cutter. Her 3-point shot is coming along and she looked more confident shooting as the season progressed.
Side note: I love Bentley's 2026 recruiting class so far. It also includes Tess Adams, a tough-nosed guard on Tabor who I also think is quite underrated, and Notre Dame Hingham sharpshooter Elle Orlando, one of the MIAA's best returning guards.
Jules Giordano, Brooks
5-10 guard/forward
Hometown: Reading, Mass.
Giordano is a super high-level shooter. She doesn't need much time or space to fire away, and she's great at moving without the basketball and finding open space on the perimeter. Though Giordano isn't an explosive driver, I've seen her confidently attack open space and get to layups or make the right pass. She's drawn interest from schools like Trinity and Union. I think Giordano and Summer Warren make Brooks an interesting Class B sleeper team.
Maeve Horsman, Oliver Ames
5-9 guard/forward
Hometown: North Easton, Mass.
Though Avery Gamble is the star of the Tigers, Horsman is a reason I believe they're capable of a breakout this winter. She's impressed me multiple times for how she impacts the game as a versatile team defender who can guard up the lineup and cause havoc as she rotates around the floor. Horsman cuts very well on offense, makes smart passes and can shoot it a bit. She just stays engaged throughout a game and doesn't need a ton of touches to impact winning. Horsman has most recently garnered some Div. 3 interest from schools including Rhode Island College and Clark.
Grace Kearney, St. Luke's
5-11 guard/forward
Hometown: Monroe, Conn.
Kearney is a very clear collegiate 3-and-D wing. She's an excellent shooter who has worked well next to some of St. Luke's lead guards like Cam Nelson and now Kendra Foy. Kearney has a strong frame, which helps her win some occasional post mismatches on offense and defend larger forwards herself. Her lacrosse background also seems to help with her court vision as a floor-spacer and her mobility. I think Kearney will have more responsibility in her second year at St. Luke's, and she's up for the challenge.
Brooke Nunnally-Gardner, Dexter Southfield
6-0 forward
Hometown: Stoughton, Mass.
Nunnally-Gardner has to be one of the most widely-respected players in NEPSAC circles because she's just so fundamentally sound at her position. Her footwork in the post is pristine, she constantly creates second chances on the boards, and she's a great leader and communicator. She is undersized for her position as a post player, but Nunnally-Gardner still has a handful of Div. 1 mid-major offers from programs like Iona, Cornell, New Haven and Merrimack. She helps raise the floor of every team she plays for without seeking the spotlight.
Camden Strandberg, Bridgewater-Raynham
6-1 forward
Hometown: Bridgewater, Mass.
NCAA: Bates
Strandberg averaged 13.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks as a junior and was a great hidden-gem addition by Bates. She's a track and cross-country athlete, which helps her create advantages on the court with her speed and stamina at her size. Stranberg can shoot the 3-ball, and her length helps with rebounding and protecting the rim. As she gets stronger, she'll be even more impactful as an inside scorer and defender. I expect her to be among the better forwards in MIAA this winter.
