Updated 2024 Rankings: Forwards (15-6)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We recently updated our 2024 class rankings for Virginia heading into the season, and we have a lot of new faces and movement in the class. Heading into their senior year, we have a good understanding of this class and the depth of talent. However, there will always be omissions and debates regarding placement among the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part two of the forwards rankings, looking at some of the top power forwards and centers in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='1580728' first='Elijah' last='Adegbenro'] | 6'5” PF | Fairfax Christian (#58 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2218144,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Adegbenro-Elijah-FFC.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Adegbenro-Elijah-FFC.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2218144" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adegbenro is part of a talented Fairfax Christian team that will look to repeat as VISAA D3 Champs this year, and he may have taken the biggest jump of any player on this team looking at what he did this summer and fall. He may be a little undersized at the four spot but he's strong in the paint and plays with a very high motor, he's a super explosive athlete who plays above the rim in traffic and in transition and he's an excellent rebounder and shot blocker too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>14) [player_tooltip player_id='1489078' first='Nijel' last='Howard'] | 6'8” PF | Fairfax Christian (#54 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1832692,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Howard-Nijel.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Howard-Nijel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1832692" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Howard is another talented front court player for this FFC team, and was a big reason for their state championship last year as he played out of his mind in the semifinals and finals. He compliments Adegbenro really well as he is a stretch big who can step out and knock down shots on the perimeter, he can seal and has good moves with his back to the basket and he's a good passer both out of double teams and on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>13) [player_tooltip player_id='1483033' first='Matthew' last='Shelton'] | 6'6” PF | Evergreen Christian (#50 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton has helped bring this Evergreen program to the forefront as the first major local transfer to the program, and he has a number of division one schools courting him with his big time upside when he's healthy. The 6'6” forward is a big time athlete who thrives attacking the rim downhill and hitting the offensive glass, he can handle the ball in transition and in the half court, he's improved as a shooter and he can guard multiple positions too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>12) [player_tooltip player_id='1489084' first='Sean' last='Donovan'] | 6'7” C | Woodson (#47 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Donovan has been one of the most productive bigs in public school ball in Northern VA, as he has steadily produced for Woodson over the past few years as a walking double-double. He is a post technician who can seal in the paint and has a great back to the basket game, he is a good rebounder who pursues the ball and rebounds well in traffic and he can step out to the elbows and the three-point line and make shots too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>11) [player_tooltip player_id='1261987' first='Quin' last='Gorman'] | 6'8” PF | Flint Hill (#41 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1315798,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Gorman-Quinn.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Gorman-Quinn.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1315798" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gorman has dealt with some injuries over the past few years but he's back healthy now and had a huge summer showing why he was garnering division one interest early in his career. He's a versatile offensive threat who can run the floor and is an athletic finisher in transition, he can step out on the perimeter where he has good ball skills with the ability to put it on the deck and drill shots from deep and he can use his length to protect the rim and challenge shots on the perimeter too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>10) [player_tooltip player_id='1489085' first='Isaiah' last='Vick'] | 6'7” PF | Patriot (#39 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2218979,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Vick-Isaiah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Vick-Isaiah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2218979" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vick has been someone we've been keeping an eye on since he was a sophomore, and his progression has been very good and he looks like he could be a long term steal at the next level. The 6'7” hybrid forward has the ability to play and guard both in the post and on the perimeter, he has improved his ball skills as a shooter and ball handler on the perimeter, he is a difference maker defensively and he still has a lot of room to get better moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>9) [player_tooltip player_id='1260001' first='Ben' last='Nacey'] | 6'9” C | Cox (#35 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1478559,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Nacey-Ben.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Nacey-Ben.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1478559" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nacey was one of the breakout players in the 757 last year, winning Beach District Player of the Year and putting up multiple 20-20 games as he was an absolute force in the post. He's a throwback style big man who does a great job burying defenders deep in the paint and sealing to give a good target for entries, he scores the ball well over both shoulders, he can step out to the elbows and he is an excellent offensive rebounder too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>8) [player_tooltip player_id='1372027' first='Rodney' last='Baines'] | 6'8” PF | Lake Taylor (#26 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baines has been one of the most improved players in the state over the past few years, as he gets better and better every time we watch him and has developed into a versatile threat on both ends of the floor. He has really improved his body and gotten more athletic over the years allowing him to get up and down and move his feet defensively, he can post up smaller defenders and finish in the paint and he's improved his perimeter skillset as a scorer as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>7) [player_tooltip player_id='1107851' first='Owen' last='Gray'] | 6'10” C | Steward (#23 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2173167,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Gray-Owen.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Gray-Owen.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2173167" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray comes into his senior year as perhaps the best senior big man in Richmond, and he's had a great showing this fall with Steward looking like one of the best available players in the state. The 6'10” big man checks the boxes physically and athletically as he can get up and down and plays above the rim, he has been more aggressive looking to score and shooting more on the perimeter and he brings great energy with his ability to make highlight plays on both ends of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>6) [player_tooltip player_id='1259622' first='Shanon' last='Simango'] | 6'7” C | Blue Ridge (#21 Overall)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1585826,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Simango-Shanon-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Simango-Shanon-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1585826" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simango has been a staple for this talented Blue Ridge team for the past few years, and despite being a little undersized for his position he is able to produce against bigger defenders regularly. He has an incredible motor and the strength to get up and down and clear out space in the paint as a rebounder and as a finisher. He pauses the basketball hard as a rebounder and rebounds over bigger defenders, he scores it well from 15 feet and in and his hustle and style of play allows him to make winning plays on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->