The WingMan Report: 2024 Underrated Forwards/Bigs

Mason Hagedorn Mason Hagedorn 6’10” | C Combine Academy | 2024 State NC is due for a breakout senior campaign after a productive grassroots season with the Atlanta Timberwolves. He’s a versatile big man that can operate at the stretch-forward spot given his ability to defend in the paint and on the perimeter just as well as he can operate as a finisher around the rim and perimeter presence offensively. He’s got a strong knack for rebounding the ball on both ends of the floor and keeping things alive with his length and athleticism. DI and DII programs would be wise to get eyes on him at Combine Academy this season.

Draven Pilson Draven Pilson 6’7″ | SF Forsyth Country Day | 2024 State NC is an emerging wing-forward prospect to get to know in the 2024 class at Forsyth Country Day. He’s a prospect that’s shown he can operate inside and out on the hardwood with his shooting touch and ability. He moves with mobility and is a burden to bear on the scoring front when the ball comes his way. As he learns to utilize his size to his advantage on the defensive side of the ball, look for his recruitment to grow among DI and DII programs in the region.

Trey Manhertz Trey Manhertz 6’6″ | PF Green Level | 2024 State NC is a frontcourt name to get to know in the 2024 class at Green Level High. He’s a 6-foot-6 prospect that’s capable of operating at either forward spot as he does for the Gators’ frontcourt and for much of the grassroots season with Garner Road Select. He’s a prospect that’s capable of holding his own in the paint on both ends while still maintaining the ability to knock down shots at the high post and on the perimeter. He’s set to have a strong senior campaign after putting up 6.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 1.2 apg during the 2022-23 season. He’s a name for DII programs in the region to get to know given his continued development on the hardwood.

Cooper Jackson Cooper Jackson 6’7″ | PF Reagan | 2024 State NC is a 2024 prospect that continues to impress the more he’s seen on the PH platform. He’s a 6-foot-7 forward that plays with a ton of energy from end to end with his ability to finish under control in the paint and with authority. Swarthmore College and Haverford College are a few of the programs that have already extended offers his way. Look for his recruitment to grow as more programs get eyes on him and his energetic style of play.

Wyatt DeGraaf Wyatt DeGraaf 6’10” | C Cary Academy | 2024 State NC has quietly grown on the grassroots scene with Grassroots NC emerging as a rebounder and efficient rim-presence during the spring/summer. He’s starting to find his confidence by utilizing his size and length in the painted area on both ends of the floor. He’s due for a breakout senior season after producing 11.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg and 1.1 bpg in 2022-23. Shaw University offered him during the June Live Period. Look for that list to grow during his senior season as more DII coaches get eyes on him.

Taky Prosper Taky Prosper 6’7″ | SF Oak Ridge Military Academy | 2024 State NC is an emerging name to get to know in the 2024 class after jumping on the scene with NC Spartans this past grassroots cycle. He’s a prospect that’s a matchup nightmare given his ability to handle the basketball and make things happen around the rim at the wing-forward spot. He’s shown he can also defend the painted area and utilize his athleticism to block shots as well. He’s a prospect for DII and DIII programs to get to know out of Oak Ridge Military Academy.