Updated 2024 Rankings: Forward (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the recent update of the class of 2024 rankings, we will take a look at how the rankings are broke down by position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the top forwards in the class, ranking #25-#16 of the top power forwards and centers in the senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='1948397' first='Luka' last='Matic'] | 6'11” C | Charlottesville (#104 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matic is a great look for someone who is willing to develop a big long term, as he has size you can't teach and a base skillset that you can build upon moving forward. He has good hands and feet in the paint on post touches, he shows good touch around the rim and the ability to step out knock down shots and he has good length to challenge shots and rebound.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='1260003' first='Reece' last='Ketron'] | 6'9” C | Abingdon (#101 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1934677,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Reece-Ketron.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Reece-Ketron.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1934677" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ketron is one of the more underrated big men since he comes from a small market, but he's a talented player who can impact the game in a number of ways and is a walking mismatch for most teams. He has an inside-out game as he can seal and finish in the paint, he's a good passer both out of double teams and he can step out on the perimeter and find cutters and he has soft touch out to the elbows too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) Terrance Bethea | 6'4” PF | Potomac (#96 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethea may be a little undersized but that doesn't seem to matter as he's a versatile big man with a good motor that is usually gets the best of players that are even bigger than him. The 6'4” forward runs the floor like a guard and can face up and take defenders off the bounce, he plays super hard and uses his length and leaping ability to rebound and challenge shots and he does all the dirty work to help his team on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='1948415' first='Owen' last='Pottenburgh'] | 6'8” C | Hayfield (#90 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2218506,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Pottenburgh-Owen.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Pottenburgh-Owen.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2218506" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pottenburgh has been one of the most improved players on this list, as he has come a long way from a project big with size to a consistently productive player who can get you a double-double on any night. At 6'8” he's a bruiser in the paint who can overpower defenders and has soft touch around the rim, he's become more mobile to guard on switches and run the floor and he has developed more touch moving away from the basket over the years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='1489069' first='Billy' last='Koudelka'] | 6'8” C | VES (#88 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koudelka is another player who has improved a lot over the years, as he didn't start playing basketball seriously until he got into high school and now he's a two way impact player who has a lot of upside moving forward. He's a mobile big who can run the floor and moves his feet well, he uses his length to challenge and block shots in the paint and on the perimeter and his offensive skillset all-around has come a long way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='1241901' first='Blake' last='Neal'] | 6'6” PF | St, Stephen's St. Agnes (#85 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2173174,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Neal-Blake.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Neal-Blake.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2173174" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neal might be ranked a little too low on this list, as he's consistently been one of the most productive players on SSSAS over the last two years and is the epitome of the new age four man. He's an athletic inside-out threat who thrives in transition with his ability to get up and down, he plays with a great motor hitting the glass, he gets downhill off the bounce and he's able to guard almost every position on the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='1759726' first='Connor' last='Horan'] | 6'8” C | Blue Ridge (#80 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Horan is part of a talented front court at Blue Ridge and sometimes gets overlooked, but he's an intriguing prospect who brings a duality to him as both a bruiser and a skilled mismatch. He is a big guy who can clog the lane and bang in the post as a rebounder, he can step out on the perimeter where he can knock down shots and he can finish with both hands around the rim too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2333805' first='David' last='Marshall'] | 6'3” PF | Potomac Falls (#76 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshall may be undersized but he plays much bigger due to his physicality and athleticism, and is a big reason Potomac Falls is undefeated with high hopes heading into March. He's quick and explosive off his feet as a rebounder and a finisher, he moves well to defend multiple positions and he has a relentless motor that never stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='1489084' first='Sean' last='Donovan'] | 6'7” C | Woodson (#68 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1465435,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/Donovan-Sean-Head-Shot.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/Donovan-Sean-Head-Shot.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1465435" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Donovan is still getting the job done with his twin at Woodson, and they have put together quite the career as he's been one of the most productive players in NOVA over the last few years. He's an all-around big man who brings it both ends, he can bang in the post and is a good rebounder and he has soft touch both in the paint and out to the elbows too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2333834' first='Carlton' last='Young'] | 6'4” PF | Wakefield (#58 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young moved to Wakefield from Florida this year and has immediately become one of the best players in the NOVA area putting up big numbers throughout the season. He's an athletic forward who can create space in the paint and is an efficient finisher at the rim, he can play above the rim and defensively he displays a high motor to jump passing lanes and protect the rim as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->