Updated 2024 Rankings: Forwards (5-1)

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.   Here's a look at the top 5 power forwards and centers in the rankings.   5) [player_tooltip player_id='2232330' first='Alonso' last='Easterling'] | 6'10” PF | Peninsula Catholic (#20 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Easterling-Alonso-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Easterling-Alonso-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2198934" /></a></figure>   Easterling is a new face making his debut in the rankings after transferring to PC from Fayetteville Academy in North Carolina, and he gives PC a new dimension as a mismatch big man with great size. He's a unique player as he towers over everyone on the floor, but his ball skills are that of a guard and he will be a very tough matchup for anyone who has to play them this year. He's able to put the ball on the deck and gets to his pull-up where he can use his size to get shots off effortlessly, he can pick-and-pop or trail and is a very good shooter from deep and he uses his length to alter shots on the defensive end too.   4) [player_tooltip player_id='1259625' first='Jadyn' last='Harris'] | 6'6” PF | Bishop O'Connell (#9 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Harris-Jadyn-2.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Harris-Jadyn-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2047263" /></a></figure>   Harris has been one of O'Connell's best players over the past few years, and may be the best available forward in the state with his versatility and mismatch ability. While he may be a little undersized at the position, he's very tough to matchup with as he has great perimeter skills and is able to operate at all three levels consistently while impacting the game in so many different ways. He thrives in the high post and at the elbows where he can work out of the triple threat, he has great instincts as a rebounder particularly on the offensive end of the floor, he's a good passer both off the catch and off the bounce and he is very efficient and productive across the board.   3) [player_tooltip player_id='1354479' first='Jamie' last='Vinson'] | 6'10” C | Oak Hill Academy (#8 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Vinson-Jamie.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Vinson-Jamie.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2272371" /></a></figure>   Vinson burst on the scene this summer playing with Southern Assault on the 3SSB Circuit, as the Texas native improved immensely over the past year and eventually committed to Vanderbilt recently. At 6'10” Vinson is very versatile as he is an inside-out threat with good athleticism and will likely get more athletic as he continues to improve his body and grow into it. He has great touch both around the rim and out to the three-point line, allowing him to both post up and roam the perimeter for catch and shoot opportunities. He can run the floor and finish above the rim, he's a good passer with a high IQ and he can use his length to protect the rim as well.   2) [player_tooltip player_id='1259630' first='Garrett' last='Sundra'] | 6'11” C | Paul VI (#7 Overall)   Sundra has been one of the most fun players to watch over the past few years, as we watched him develop from an awkward gangly big man with a lot of potential to a well rounded two way impact player that will be heading to Notre Dame next year. He's one of the best glue guys in the country, as he has a well rounded skill set to go along with a toughness and hustle style of play with the willingness to do all the dirty work as well. He runs the floor hard in transition and is able to catch lobs and finish above the rim but can also run the corners of spot up and knock down shots from deep. He uses his length to alter shots around the rim and contest shots on the perimeter, he's an unselfish player who makes plays for others and he's willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.   1) [player_tooltip player_id='1259631' first='Patrick' last='Ngongba Jr.'] | 6'10” C | Paul VI (#2 Overall)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/unnamed-12.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/unnamed-12.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2174291" /></a></figure>   If there's any player who has improved more than Sundra over the past three years, it's his front court teammate Ngongba who always showed potential but has emerged as one of the best bigs in the country and is one of two players at PVI who will be heading to Duke next year. He started to show his dominance last season throughout WCAC play, but it was in the EYBL leading Team Takeover to a Peach Jam Championship where he cemented himself as one of the best players in the country. He's an absolute force in the paint with his strength, and he's also a technician in the post with great footwork and soft touch around the rim with both hands. He's improved on his perimeter game and has become a consistent shooter from deep, he protects the rim and is an excellent rebounder, he's highly efficient as a scorer and he is a good teammate who is unselfish as well.

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.