2022 Rankings: Top Small Forwards/Wings

<p>Nearly 5 months have passed since our last rankings update for the 2022 class. They've finished their AAU seasons and getting ready to get back to work with their high school teams in the coming months. With this rankings update, we expand out to 70 total players as more and more of these young men have started to make an impact this summer with their high school and AAU teams. Here's a look at the top small forwards and wings in 2022:</p> <p><strong>Colby Fugate, Paintsville - </strong>Fugate is an explosive slasher who can get to the rim and finish through contact and is a solid shooter from the three point line. He'll finish at the rim against anyone and the only thing lacking in his game is a true midrange with pull up jumpers and floaters. As with most kids from the mountains, Colby has to prove that he can guard athletes to prove his ceiling is as high as it appears but the 6'5 wing has a chance to be a solid mid major or better D1 prospect.</p> <p><strong>Rylee Sammons, Pikeville - </strong>Sammons has really high upside and could have more potential than anyone in the class as he keeps developing. He's long and can shoot the cover off the ball. He may ultimately be a stretch 4 or even a face up 5 if he continues growing but right now he's a wing who can play the post some. Pikeville has a very good core of 2022 kids and are potentially looking at a return to Rupp as soon as this season. Look for Sammons to impress multiple coaches over the next year as he already holds an offer from University of Pikeville.</p> <p><strong>Bryce Riley, Nelson County - </strong>Nelson is a tough player who continues to improve. He's strong and a physical driver who can also shoot the ball well from deep. Riley shows a lot of potential on offense but needs to improve as a defender and guarding opposing wings. Bryce is young for his class and should grow a couple more inches. If he gets to 6'5 or taller with his skill set, he projects well to the next level as a scorer who can also crash the glass and rebound.</p> <p><strong>Kendric Adams, Trigg County - </strong>Adams is kid who plays really hard and physical but has got to start making the transition to being a wing and not an undersized post or he will tumble down the rankings. Built like a linebacker, Kendric is a high IQ player whose recruitment and notoriety suffers due to playing at a small school in far western Kentucky but he can really increase his profile with a strong Sophomore campaign and helping lead a very young Trigg County team to the regional.</p> <p><strong>Casey Steadmon, Fern Creek - </strong>Steadmon is long and a good athlete and has more long term potential than some of the kids ranked higher than him on this list. Coming from the loaded Fern Creek program, Casey may not get as much shine as others in the 2022 class but he is skilled and will absolutely try to dunk on anyone who gets in his way. He needs to keep improving as a shooter and ball handler but Steadmon has a good motor and continues to improve with each viewing.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Other Names to Know:</strong></span></p> <p>Cade Stinnett, Greenwood - Stinnett is a hard worker who plays hard and can score the ball at all three levels. Will be a returning starter for the Gators.</p> <p>Chance Garner, Butler - Chance is very athletic and thrives when attacking the rim, especially in transition. If he keeps growing, watch out!</p> <p>Gage Mabry, Spencer County - Mabry can shoot the ball or drive and finish in the paint. Can be a nice player in the 8th this season.</p> <p>Tyson Barrett, Frederick Douglass - Tyson is long and athletic and always working to improve his skill level. Big time potential.</p> <p>JuWuan Northington, DuPont Manual - Built like a running back, Northington is strong and athletic and able to bully kids and get to the rim.</p>