Updated 2024 Rankings: Forwards (15-6)

We recently updated our junior class rankings in the state of VA, and we will take a look at each positional ranking from guards, wings and forwards. Obviously some of these players are positionless players that can fit in multiple spots, but we did our best to categorize them based on their skillset.

Here’s a look at part two of the top power forwards and centers in the new rankings.

15) Terrance Bethea | 6’5” PF | Potomac (#52 Overall)

The two sport athlete has had a big season both on the football field and on the hardwood for Potomac, and he has them sitting as one of the top teams in NOVA this year. He’s an all-out hybrid forward who plays with a terrific motor on both ends of the floor, he can guard almost every position and makes plays jumping passing lanes and protecting the rim and he’s a terrific finisher in the paint.

14) Elijah Adegbenro Elijah Adegbenro 6'4" | PF Fairfax Christian | 2024 State VA | 6’4” PF | Fairfax Christian (#47 Overall)

Adegbenro might be a little undersized at the power forward position, but that doesn’t stop him from being one of the most productive players on the floor every game. He’s a big time athlete who can sky for rebounds over bigger players and can finish above the rim with authority, he can guard almost every position and brings great energy defensively and he’s improving his perimeter skillset to make him even more of a mismatch.

13) Quin Gorman Quin Gorman 6'8" | PF Flint Hill | 2024 State VA | 6’8” PF | Flint Hill (#43 Overall)

Gorman is a matchup nightmare at his size with his skillset, as he good size with a long wingspan and perimeter ball skills to go along with it. At 6’8” he’s a fluid athlete who can run the floor and finish above the rim in transition, he can step out on the perimeter where he can knock down shots and put it on the deck to blow by slower bigs and he’s a good rebounder who can start the break either with outlets or by handling the ball.

12) Jamie Vinson Jamie Vinson 6'10" | C Oak Hill Academy | 2024 State #172 Nation VA | 6’10” C | Oak Hill (#41 Overall)

Vinson comes to Oak Hill from Austin, Texas and could be higher on this list except we haven’t seen him very much as he’s on a Warriors team that is stacked with talent. At 6’9” he’s a big body in the paint who is a good athlete that can run the floor and finish above the rim in traffic, he has soft touch in the paint and can step out and stretch the floor and he’s equally comfortable in the post or putting it on the deck in face ups.

11) Brandon Ahlers | 6’7” C | Osbourn (#38 Overall)

Ahlers is a rising star in Prince William County as he’s continued to improve over time and is a two way impact player with a lot of room to continue to grow. He has very long arms and is growing into his body getting more fluid as an athlete, he protects the rim and rebounds well on both ends of the floor and offensively he has the ability as a catch and finish guy and he also is money from the midrange with soft touch.

10) Sean Donovan Sean Donovan 6'7" | C W.T. Woodson | 2024 State VA | 6’7” C | WT Woodson (#36 Overall)

Donovan is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class in NOVA public schools, as he’s improved a lot over the past few years and is still learning how to assert his authority. The 6’7” big moves well off the ball for duck ins and when running the floor, he gets off his feet effortlessly to finish above the rim and protect the paint and he has soft touch over the shoulder on seals and post ups.

9) Ben Nacey Ben Nacey 6'9" | PF Cox | 2024 State VA | 6’8” C | Cox (#31 Overall)

Nacey has to be in the discussion for Beach District Player of the Year, as he has dominated throughout the year putting up big numbers on a Cox team that has been the surprise team in Virginia Beach. The 6’8” big plays with a good motor and is all over the glass rebounding on both ends of the floor, he’s very good at getting defenders on his back and keeping them there to receive post entries and finish over the shoulder and he shoots a very high percentage from the field and the line while putting up big numbers.

8) Elijah Flowers Elijah Flowers 6'5" | PF Potomac School | 2024 State VA | 6’7” PF | Potomac School (#26 Overall)

Flowers is a budding prospect for a Potomac School team that is having a very good year, and as he continues to get reps he is only going to get better. At 6’7” he can play both on the perimeter and in the paint as he’s a good athlete with good speed and finishing ability, he can put it on the deck and get to the rim and he can make shots from deep when he’s open and defensively he’s very versatile and makes plays guarding multiple positions.

7) Owen Gray Owen Gray 6'10" | C Steward | 2024 State VA | 6’8” C | Steward School (#19 Overall)

Gray has seen a recruitment uptick since reclassifying to the 2024 class, and his athleticism at his size is very intriguing moving forward. The 6’8” big runs the floor like a wing and is able to catch and finish above the rim in transition or in the half court, he has improved on his touch both in the paint and on the perimeter and as he’s figured it out he continues to play with more purpose and be more productive throughout the year.

6) Shanon Simango Shanon Simango 6'6" | C Blue Ridge | 2024 State VA | 6’7” C | Blue Ridge (#13 Overall)

Simango at times may not look the part as he’s a little undersized at the position, but that doesn’t stop him at all from being consistently productive against very good competition for Blue Ridge. The 6’7” big man is very strong and clears out space whether it’s on post ups or fighting for rebounds, he has good lift and finishes above the rim well on catch and finish plays and he plays with a great motor running the floor hard and rebounding at a very good rate. He knows his game and plays within it and he’s a tough guy who makes winning plays on both ends of the floor.