Updated 2024 Rankings: Forwards (5-1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the top 5 power forwards and centers in the new rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) [player_tooltip player_id='1702424' first='Bronson' last='Schmidt-Uili'] | 6'10” C | Oak Hill (#12 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Schmidt-Uili could shoot up this list and into the top 10 in our next rankings as he's going to be a highly followed prospect this summer and already holds offers from Texas Tech and Cal. The 6'10” New Zealand native is an impressive prospect from a physical standpoint with a great frame that should continue to fill out, he's an explosive leaper off of two feet and is a powerful finisher in the paint and he shows good touch around the rim with either hand. He's a fluid athlete that can run the floor and hits the glass, and he's got a budding skillset that will only continue to get better moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) [player_tooltip player_id='1259617' first='Eli' last='DeLaurier'] | 6'8” C | Miller School (#9 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1585825,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Delaurier-Eli-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Delaurier-Eli-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1585825" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delaurier is having a big junior season for Miller who is ranked as a top team in the VISAA D2 classification, and he's only getting stronger as the season continues and is playing his best ball right now. He's a versatile new school big man who can step out on the perimeter where he can make shots and is a good passer in a Princeton style offense, he runs the floor hard and is a good finisher above the rim in transition and he has fantastic footwork in the post to be able to beat defenders and finish at the rim. He brings a toughness to his game on both ends to go along with his unique skillset and he can impact the game in a number of different ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) [player_tooltip player_id='1259625' first='Jadyn' last='Harris'] | 6'6” PF | Bishop O'Connell (#8 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1692851,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Harris-Jadyn-MVP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Harris-Jadyn-MVP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1692851" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is another new school style forward who in the past would be considered undersized but he's the perfect player that allows O'Connell to play small ball and force mismatches. At 6'6” he has a long wingspan and is able to use that length to rebound and finish in the paint, he is very efficient in the midrange working the elbows against zones and being able to face up and put it on the deck and defensively he's able to guard almost every position on the floor. He's a highly productive player who already holds an impressive offer sheet and should see his recruitment pick up even more this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) [player_tooltip player_id='1259630' first='Garrett' last='Sundra'] | 6'11” C | Paul VI (#5 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sundra has been a player we've had our eyes on since he was a freshman, and we all knew he had tons of potential but the way he's improved has made him a high major recruit on one of the best teams in the country. The 6'11” big man has a ton of intriguing tools that allow him to impact the game across the board as he plays with a high motor and runs the floor extremely hard, he is a big time athlete who can play above the rim and he's able to step out on the perimeter where he's a good shooter from deep. He plays a winning style of basketball and his continued uptick in progression bolds well for him moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) [player_tooltip player_id='1259631' first='Patrick' last='Ngongba'] | 6'10” C | Paul VI (#3 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1341252,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Ngonba-Patrick.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/Ngonba-Patrick.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1341252" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While a lot of these players I've talked about are new school big men, Ngongba has a throwback style to his game where he dominates the paint but also has some new school aspects with his ability to step out and make shots too. In the paint is where he shines as he seals hard and has great hands and feet in the paint to take entry passes and make moves with his back to the basket, he has great touch in the paint with both hands and can finish over defenders and he has good lift to finish above the rim and rebound on both ends of the floor. He's very patient and is a good passer in the paint, and he can step out and has improved as a shot maker and passer on the perimeter too. He already has a very impressive offer list on one of the top high school teams in the country, and he will be closely watched by everyone this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->