N.S D1 High School Boys Basketball: Class of 2026 Player Rankings
Citadel Guard Travarius Carvery. Photo by Kyle Rogers
The Nova Scotia Metro area has been the pinnacle of division one high school basketball in Atlantic Canada for years now. Despite several standout teams across the Maritimes, the Metro Halifax area is home to the highest level of Nova Scotia high school division one basketball, consistently producing the provincial champion programs each year. This season in N.S division one high school basketball, we’ve had no shortage of a similar narrative, highlighted by a superb senior class of players throughout the league. Many of these players have university aspirations, and we want to give them a spotlight for their hard work to be recognized through a class of 2026 player rankings article to conclude the season.
Amari Upshaw - Citadel High School
Amari Upshaw is the best player in Atlantic Canadian high school basketball, and potentially one of the best players in the country. The 6'5 "guard holds Division 1 offers from the likes of Arizona State and Washington, and he will certainly have his choice of schools to play for in the fall of 2027. Amari was the focal point of a Citadel team that will likely go down as the best in school history, going undefeated in league play en route to a city and provincial championship. His elite athleticism and ability to score the ball at will stand out as reasons why Amari had such a dominant senior season with the Phoenix. Amari was a member of the Canada Basketball U17 national team and a member of Nova Scotia’s Canada Games team last summer.
2. Ollie Nadeau - Armbrae Academy
After a breakout, undefeated junior season capped off by a Provincial Championship, Ollie Nadeau came into this year viewed as one of the best players in the country, and his play has been a reflection of this reputation. Despite losing some star power, this Armbrae team remained one of the teams to beat on their quest for back-to-back provincial titles, with Ollie’s efficient play being a massive reason for his team's success. Ollie is likely the best shooter in Atlantic Canada, while being known for his presence on the defensive side of the ball, elite rebounding, and ability to use his athleticism to score through traffic. There’s no question that, as one of the top players in the country, Ollie will generate significant interest from schools all over the country. Ollie was also a member of the Nova Scotia Canada Games team last summer.
3. Travarius Carvery - Citadel High School
A three-year starter for Citadel, Travarius Carvery is no doubt one of the most feared guards in the Maritimes. The 6’2 sharpshooter is also known for his presence on the defensive side of the ball, and his impressive senior year played a huge role in the Phoenix’s undefeated season in the league. Carvery exploded in the provincial championships with dominant semi-finals and finals performances for the Phoenix, and there’s no doubt many universities will be excited about Carvery’s potential this fall.
4. Jacoby Macdonald - Charles P Allen High School
Jacoby Macdonald spent his senior season as the focal point of a talented CPA Cheetahs offence that nearly defeated Citadel in the provincial semi-finals. The 6’3 sharpshooter and member of the N.S Canada Games roster can do it all; he scores the ball in a variety of different ways while consistently finding ways to influence the game on the defensive end. Macdonald’s senior season proved why he is deserving of a top 5 ranking on this list.
5. Jailyn Bear - Halifax West High School
Jailyn Bear’s play this season played a huge role in elevating Halifax West Basketball to a level of play that the program hasn’t seen in years. The 6’3 guard was the primary scorer on a deep Halifax West team who could score the ball in a variety of ways, and became one of the top defenders in the province this season while averaging over 20 points per game.
6. Jeryn Howe-Tynes - J. L. Ilsley High School
Despite falling short in the league quarterfinals and missing out on the chance to showcase his talents at provincials, Jaryn Howe Tynes has proven why he is deserving of a top ranking in this impressive senior class. The 2025-26 J.L Judges team was potentially one of the best in school history, and Jaryn Howe Tynes is a massive reason why. The elusive guard scores the ball at will, and his wide range of scoring threats is reason to have plenty of university coaches clamouring for his services.
7. Ronei Beals - Armbrae Academy
A four-year starter at Armbrae, Ronei Beals is an exciting scoring threat who has proven himself as one of the best players in the Maritimes for two seasons now. He’s been a key piece to Armbrae’s quick evolution to being one of the premier basketball programs in Atlantic Canada, and played a huge role in Armbrae’s bid to defend its provincial championship. A member of the Nova Scotia Canada Games team last summer, Ronei certainly has the resume and skill-set to be a hot commodity amongst university coaches.
8. Logan Clarke - Halifax West High School
Logan Clarke was a double-double machine in his senior season. The 6’6 forward can score the ball a variety of different ways, and uses his elite athleticism and footwork in the paint to his advantage. Logan is committed to the UPEI Panthers, and we see his development continuing to progress at the AUS level.
9. Ja’Quan Jackson - Charles P Allen High School
Jaquan Jackson might’ve been the best facilitator in the province in his senior season with a phenomenal Cheetah’s team. The 6’0 point guard uses his speed and elite passing ability to get downhill and can score the ball in a variety of different ways.
10. Marduche Kabengere - Halifax West High School
Marduche Kabengere had a phenomenal senior season with Halifax West, evolving into one of the best point guards in the province with elite play-making ability and 3-point shooting. Marduche is headed to Mount Allison next fall, and we think he can do great things for the Mounties in the ACAA.
11. Harrison Norman - Citadel High School
Harrison Norman was the glue who held the provincial champion Citadel Phoenix together. The 6’1 guard and two-year starter for the Phoenix is a lockdown defender and elite rebounder with elite shooting ability.
12. Deion Coward - Citadel High School
Deion Coward likely had the best two final seasons of high school basketball that you could ask for, playing a huge role on an undefeated provincial champion Armbrae team in his grade 11 season, before transferring to Citadel and going undefeated in league play again en route to another Provincial Championship for the Phoenix in his senior season. Coward has not lost a game of high school basketball in league play since his 10th-grade season. A member of the Nova Scotia Canada Games team last summer, Coward’s shooting and playmaking ability proved to be a vital component to an already stacked Citadel roster this season, and we see the 6’3 senior developing into an excellent addition to any university roster.
