Updated 2024 Rankings: Forwards (15-6)

<!-- 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 two of the top forwards in the class, ranking #15-#6 of the top power forwards and centers in the senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15) [player_tooltip player_id='1483033' first='Matthew' last='Shelton'] | 6'5” PF | Evergreen Christian (#55 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelton may be a little low on this list, as he's been putting on a show the last two seasons and even eclipsed the 1,000 point mark this year. The 6'5” forward is a big time athlete who can get out in transition and play above the rim, he's a mismatch with his ability to handle the basketball and he can guard multiple positions as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>14) [player_tooltip player_id='1260001' first='Ben' last='Nacey'] | 6'8” C | Cox (#54 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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>The reigning Beach District Player of the Year and the favorite to win it again this year, Nacey has been a dominant force in the paint over the past few years and has only gotten better with time. The 6'8” big man can seal and finish over the shoulder, he's a very good offensive rebounder and he's improved his consistency on his outside shot as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>13) [player_tooltip player_id='1489078' first='Nijel' last='Howard'] | 6'8” PF | Fairfax Christian (#53 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 had a breakout game in the state championship last year and has continued that success this year on a team that may be more talented and are the odds on favorite to win it again this year. He has good length to block shots and finish over defenders in the paint, he's mobile and can run the floor in transition and he can step out and make shots on the perimeter too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>12) [player_tooltip player_id='1580728' first='Elijah' last='Adegbenro'] | 6'5” PF | Fairfax Christian (#50 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2324900,"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-crop-3226x2118-1705586269.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Adegbenro-Elijah-FFC-crop-3226x2118-1705586269.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2324900" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard's running mate in the front court, Adegbenro may only be about 6'5” but he plays much bigger with his strength and explosiveness. He's a high motor big who runs the floor and attacks the glass hard, he's a big time athlete who can play above the rim with authority and he's willing to do all the little things to help his team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11) [player_tooltip player_id='1261987' first='Quin' last='Gorman'] | 6'8” PF | Flint Hill (#42 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 is an interesting prospect moving forward as he has a lot of tools at 6'8” that makes him very tough to matchup with. He's a good athlete who can get up and down and even handle the ball in transition, he can step out and is a good shooter from deep and he's a good athlete who can guard and rebounds well in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) [player_tooltip player_id='1107851' first='Owen' last='Gray'] | 6'8” C | Steward School (#27 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 is another intriguing long term prospect that's still available, as the 6'8” big man is a very good athlete for his size who can impact the game in a number of different ways. He gets out in transition where he can get downhill and play above the rim, he attacks the glass for put backs, he shows good touch out to the elbows and he can protect the rim as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) [player_tooltip player_id='1489085' first='Isaiah' last='Vick'] | 6'7” PF | Patriot (#26 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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 is having a breakout year on a Patriot team that has a real shot at the state championship this year, and he's a walking mismatch at this level with a lot of upside moving forward. At 6'7” he can play all over the court for them with his skill set at his size, he's a good athlete who can guard multiple positions, he can make shots on the perimeter and he has good ball skills as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) [player_tooltip player_id='2333807' first='Kellen' last='Welch'] | 6'5” PF | St. Chris (#25 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welch is an elite glue guy who has been a huge reason for the success of St. Chris so far this year, as he's the type of player who doesn't care about his stats but only about his team winning. He's a strong post who can guard players taller than him using his strength and length, he's smart with a good IQ on both ends of the floor and he's a very good passer for his size too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) [player_tooltip player_id='1259622' first='Shanon' last='Simango'] | 6'7” PF | Blue Ridge (#23 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2288432,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Simango-Shanon-OBX.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Simango-Shanon-OBX.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2288432" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dartmouth commit has been on a tear all season for Blue Ridge, showing that despite him being on the shorter side he consistently outworks and out produces bigger players. He plays with one of the best motors I've ever seen as he sprints the floor and fights for rebounds and loose balls, he has great touch with both hands around the rim and he's a good athlete with long arms allowing him to challenge shots at the rim too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) [player_tooltip player_id='2232330' first='Alonso' last='Easterling'] | 6'10” C | Peninsula Catholic (#22 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2198934,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Easterling recently committed to Gardner-Webb, and the 6'10” big man has showed his unique skillset that makes him so intriguing moving forward. He's a perimeter oriented player at his size that is a mismatch with his ball skills and shooting ability. He's a very good shooter from deep off the catch, he gets to spots off the bounce and is deadly in the midrange and he is a good passer for his size as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->