Updated 2024 Rankings: Forwards (25-16)
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…
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Continue ReadingWe 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.
Here’s a look at part one of the forwards rankings, looking at some of the top power forwards and centers in the class.
25) Jeremiah Hightower | 6’4” PF | West Springfield (#92 Overall)
Hightower had a breakout junior season for West Springfield, and he’s one of the most productive players in NOVA on both ends of the floor. He plays with a terrific motor getting up and down the floor and competing for rebounds, he’s strong enough to clear out space and has soft touch as a finisher around the rim and he’s willing to do all the dirty work to help his team.
24) Sahil Kamal Kapadia | 6’7” C | Thomas Jefferson (#89 Overall)
Kapadia is an underrated player that high academics should take a look at, as he consistently gets the job done on the court and in the classroom as well. He’s a big body who takes up space in the paint and is a good rim protector, he has good touch over the shoulder and can step out to the elbows and make shots and he is a good passer out of the post as well.
23) Owen Pottenburgh | 6’8” C | Hayfield (#86 Overall)
Pottenburgh has been one of the most improved players in the state over the past few years, and is set for a breakout senior season for Hayfield. The 6’8” big has good hands and soft touch to catch tough passes and finish around the rim, he’s a good rebounder and rim protector on the defensive end and he continues to add range to his shot and round out his game.
22) Luka Matic | 6’11” C | Charlottesville (#84 Overall)
Matic is one of the top prospects in public school in Charlottesville, and he has a lot of upside moving forward for a team that will take a shot at him. At 6’11” he has unique size that makes him an impact with his presence in the paint, he has good touch both in the paint and out to the high post and he is able to protect the rim and rebound as well.
21) Billy Koudelka | 6’9” C | Virginia Episcopal (#82 Overall)
Koudelka is another high upside big man that has a lot of room to continue to get better, as he’s still relatively new to the game but has shown improvement over the past few years. He runs the floor well and is a good athlete who can get up and down, he is versatile defensively with the ability to protect the rim and switch on guards and he has improved a lot with his touch and ability to finish around the rim.
20) Connor Horan | 6’8” C | Blue Ridge (#81 Overall)
Horan is part of a big Blue Ridge front line that will be tough for teams to match up with, and he has a mix of bruising post moves as well as the ability to step out as well. He can clear out space and boxes out well to rebound in the post, he’s a good screener who can pop and roll and he has the ability to stretch the floor and clear out room for driving guards too.
19) Reece Ketron | 6’9” C | Abingdon (#79 Overall)
Ketron is one of the best players and prospects in SWVA, as the Abingdon big has a lot of tools that makes him productive in a number of different ways. He’s a big body who can post up and score over the shoulder, he can move to the high post or the perimeter where he can make shots and he can hit cutters with good passes and he he’s an anchor defensively that can protect the rim too.
18) Terrance Bethea | 6’5” PF | Potomac (#69 Overall)
Bethea has steadily become one of the most versatile and top bigs in NOVA public schools, as he has a mix of athleticism and skill that makes him very productive. He plays with a great motor and runs the floor well while doing the dirty work on both ends of the floor, he’s an efficient scorer both around the rim and out to the midrange and he’s able to guard and rebound against bigger opponents too.
17) Blake Neal | 6’5” PF | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes (#61 Overall)
Neal moved up quite a bit and may still be a little low on this list, as he’s coming off a huge summer and spring and should be one of SSSAS best players this year. The 6’5” forward is a big time athlete who thrives in transition with his ability to play above the rim and finish on the move, he’s a good rebounder with great instincts and he pursues the ball hard and he can score the ball off the bounce against slower defenders.
16) Dante Kearse | 6’5” PF | Hargrave (#59 Overall)
Kearse is another forward who may be a little undersized, but that doesn’t stop him from being super productive across the board and a two way impact player. He’s a strong and mobile big who can switch on ball handlers and is an excellent shot blocker for his size, he’s a powerful leaper who can finish above the rim, he plays well through contact in the post and he is a very efficient scorer around the rim.