Updated 2024 Rankings: Forwards (25-16)
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We recently updated our class of 2024 rankings in the state of Virginia, with a lot of new faces and movement throughout the rankings. The rankings consist of 155 prospects, making it the most in depth rankings in the state.…
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Continue ReadingWe recently updated our class of 2024 rankings in the state of Virginia, with a lot of new faces and movement throughout the rankings. The rankings consist of 155 prospects, making it the most in depth rankings in the state.
We will take a look at the rankings by position over the next few days. Here’s a look at part one of our forwards rankings, looking at numbers 25-16 of the power forwards and centers in the junior class.
25) Luka Matic Luka Matic 6'11" | C Charlottesville | 2024 State VA | 6’11” C | Charlottesville (#88 Overall)
Matic is a new name on this list, as the Charlottesville big man has come on our radar this spring with VA Playmakers and has al to of upside moving forward. He’s a legit 6’11” with long arms and the ability to challenge shots and rebound in the paint, he has soft touch around the rim and he can step out to 15 feet and stretch the floor and he still has a ton of room to get better moving forward.
24) Elijah Washington Elijah Washington 6'7" | PF Lake Taylor | 2024 State VA | 6’7” PF | Lake Taylor (#77 Overall)
Washington would likely be much higher on this list, if he wasn’t a big time football recruit who will likely go to college as a wide receiver, but he would be a division one basketball recruit too. He’s one of the top defenders in the 757 as he’s a big time shot blocker with great timing and can guard multiple positions, he’s a monster on the glass on both ends and he’s an athletic and strong finisher around the rim.
23) Sahil Kamal Kapadia Sahil Kamal Kapadia 6'7" | C Thomas Jefferson | 2024 State VA | 6’7” C | Thomas Jefferson (#75 Overall)
Kamal Kapadia is probably the first prospect we’ve had from TJ Math & Science in our rankings, because they usually don’t have someone of this size and talent level at their school. The 6’7” big man commands the paint with his size and long arms as he can challenge shots and rebounds well, he has good touch around the rim and he’s a high academic kid for coaches to take a look at.
22) Connor Horan Connor Horan 6'8" | C Blue Ridge | 2024 State VA | 6’8” C | Blue Ridge (#70 Overall)
Horan is part of a talented Blue Ridge front court that was very hard for teams to match up with, and he’s the biggest of the group by far. The 6’8” big man is a load in the paint and clogs the lane making it hard for driving guards and wings, he clears out space to rebound and finish around the rim and he has soft touch and the ability to work at the high post too.
21) Reece Ketron Reece Ketron 6'9" | C Abingdon | 2024 State VA | 6’9” C | Abingdon (#67 Overall)
Ketron may be a little low on this list, as the 6’9” big man is one of the best prospects in SWVA and still has a lot of room to improve moving forward. He’s a skilled big who has soft touch in the paint and can step out to the perimeter where he can make shots, he is an excellent passer both finding cutters out on the perimeter and in the paint and he can bang in the post both on post ups and to rebound the rock.
20) Terrance Bethea | 6’4” PF | Potomac (#62 Overall)
Bethea is another two sport star that shines on the football field and on the hardwood, and he’s the type of forward that makes your team better with his high motor and versatility. He can guard multiple positions and is very active defensively and on the glass, he can face up and drive by slower defenders and punish you on the offensive glass, he’s a good finisher around the rim and he’s able to run in transition and finish.
19) Elijah Adegbenro Elijah Adegbenro 6'4" | PF Fairfax Christian | 2024 State VA | 6’4” PF | Fairfax Christian (#56 Overall)
Much like Bethea, Adegbenro may be a little undersized for the position but he makes up for it with his high motor and big time athleticism as he can make plays most at his size can’t. He’s much stronger than he looks and he’s able to get downhill and play through contact, he plays above the rim and can rebound and finish over guys bigger than him and defensively he’s a difference maker as you can put him on different positions and his physicality and athleticism allows him to make plays.
18) Quin Gorman Quin Gorman 6'8" | PF Flint Hill | 2024 State VA | 6’8” PF | Flint Hill (#53 Overall)
Gorman will likely move up in the next rankings, as he’s dealt with injuries over the past year or so but has had a great start to the spring with AKT now that he’s healthy. The 6’8” forward is showing his whole bag as he’s getting out in transition and playing above the rim, he has good ball skills on the perimeter where he can put it on the deck and make shots from deep and he works well in face ups and with his back to the basket too.
17) Nijel Howard Nijel Howard 6'6" | PF Fairfax Christian | 2024 State VA | 6’7” PF | Fairfax Christian (#52 Overall)
Howard has been on our radar for quite a bit now, but this past year he had a breakout junior season as he was the leader for Fairfax Christian on their run to the state championship and played very well in their biggest games. The 6’7” forward is versatile as he can play on the perimeter where he’s a good shooter and can attack in straight lines, he’s a big time athlete who can play above the rim and he is a good rim protector and rebounder as well.
16) Matthew Shelton Matthew Shelton 6'5" | PF Evergreen Christian | 2024 State VA | 6’5” PF | Evergreen Christian (#50 Overall)
Shelton took a jump in these rankings, and will likely take another jump in the next ones as he’s one of the top stock risers in this class and has picked up multiple offers this summer. The 6’5” forward is a big time athlete who rocks the rim with thunderous dunks both in transition and in the half court, he can rebound and start the break himself with his ability to handle it in transition and he can make shots off the catch from deep.