Updated 2024 Rankings: Small Forwards (Part 2)
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We recently updated our class of 2024 rankings in the state of VA, and now that we have we’ll give you our positional rankings and look at what makes these prospects worthy of being recognized. Here’s a look at part…
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Continue ReadingWe recently updated our class of 2024 rankings in the state of VA, and now that we have we’ll give you our positional rankings and look at what makes these prospects worthy of being recognized. Here’s a look at part two of the small forward rankings.
8) Jamal Miles Jamal Miles 6'3" | SF South County | 2024 State VA | 6’4” South County (#34 Overall)
Miles is set to have a breakout junior season at South County after a good sophomore year and a good summer with Pro Look, as he’s a two way impact player who just keeps getting better. The 6’4” wing can use his size and athleticism on the defensive end to make plays, he’s a strong and athletic finisher when he gets in the paint and he can knock it down from deep when he’s left open.
7) Isaiah Fuhrmann Isaiah Fuhrmann 6'5" | SF Nansemond-Suffolk | 2024 VA | 6’5” Nansemond-Suffolk (#33 Overall)
Furhmann had an impressive summer with Team Push 16U group and the two sport star who also shines on the football field as well. He translates very well as a three-and-d guy who can step out and shoot it at a high rate from deep, he’s long and athletic and uses that to finish above the rim in transition and when he gets downhill and he has the versatility to play and guard multiple positions.
6) Zekhi Darden Zekhi Darden 6'5" | SF King's Fork | 2024 State VA | 6’5” King’s Fork (#31 Overall)
Darden is in the right spot to have a breakout sophomore season for the Bulldogs after the departure of George Beal to Norfolk State, and if he can bring consistent energy he’ll see his stock shoot trough the roof. The 6’5” wing is a hyper athlete who can play well above the rim, he can step out where he’s a good shooter and can attack closeouts off the bounce and he has all the tools to be a very good and versatile defender too.
5) Jordan Watlington Jordan Watlington 6'5" | SF Menchville | 2024 State VA | 6’5” Menchville (#25 Overall)
Watlington played a major role for Menchville off the bench last season, and this year he’ll see more usage and his role expand as well. He’s a gritty blue-collar type of player who gets after it on both ends and is a good athlete who can make plays with his high motor, he’s an underrated ball handler who can attack in straight lines and finishes well around the rim and he has pretty good feel as a passer and playmaker as well.
4) Alejandro Ford Alejandro Ford 6'5" | SF Woodberry Forest | 2024 State VA | 6’5” Woodberry Forest (#19 Overall)
Ford has a chance to really blow up over this season and the next one, as the 6’5” wing has a lot of tools that translate well to the next level. He has good positional size to go along with an athletic frame that should fill out nicely moving forward, he can score the ball from multiple levels and shoots it very well from beyond the arc and he continues to get better and better every time we watch him play.
3) Elijah Kelly | 6’5” Radford (#18 Overall)
It’s a make or break year for Kelly as most players take that jump their junior season, and throughout his career he has shown a lot of potential as a long term prospect and it will be interesting to see if he’s able to take the jump. At 6’5” he has a great frame that should fill out and he has very long arms and is a smooth athlete, he shows good form and touch on his jumper from deep and he’s shown the ability to put it on the deck in transition and in the half court.
2) AJ Swinton AJ Swinton 6'6" | SF Bishop O'Connell (VA) | 2024 State #134 Nation VA | 6’6” Oak Hill (#5 Overall)
Swinton is the lone 2024 from Oak Hill that we have on these rankings, but now that we have confirmation of some of the players that have joined him there he’ll have plenty of company moving forward. Swinton is a big time prospect who already holds a number of high major offers and will continue to see his stock sky rocket this year in Mouth of Wilson. The 6’6” wing has great positional size, he’s a super explosive athlete who can get downhill or crash the glass and posterize defenders that try him there and he continues to polish his offensive skillset as well as show he can be a big time defender as well.
1) Darren Harris Darren Harris 6'6" | SF Paul VI | 2024 State #59 Nation VA | 6’6” Paul VI (#1 Overall)
Harris gets the nod as the top player in the 2024 class yet again, and the biggest reason he does is that he does the most important thing in basketball at his position better than almost anyone, and that’s shoot the ball from deep. Harris has a great frame and good size on the wing to take and make shots over closing out defenders, he has a lightning quick release with little to no load time and he stays shot ready, he has beautiful form and effortless range and he’s super confident letting it fly in transition and within the way the sets are run for him. He holds a bevy of high major offers and everyone is going to want a guy like him who can come in from day one and make an impact with his shooting.