Top 2025 Wing-Forwards
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The category of wing-forward may be a new one, but with the advent of more positionless offenses and multi-skilled players who have great height and length it’s certainly becoming mainstream. This list is the top players we believe fit this…
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Continue ReadingThe category of wing-forward may be a new one, but with the advent of more positionless offenses and multi-skilled players who have great height and length it’s certainly becoming mainstream. This list is the top players we believe fit this category now or will project to be at the next level.
Caleb Thomas Caleb Thomas 6’6″ | PF Spring Mills | 2025 State WV could certainly make his case for the top player in this category since he’s the epitome of the term wing-forward. But that remains to be played out. However Thomas has done nothing in the past few months to solidify himself as one of the state’s top players let alone position. Thomas seems comfortable at any position at any time. But most importantly gets the tough stuff in the paint done first and with high efficiency. A very skilled ball handler and passer, Thomas will likely project as a power forward type player but could see development into more of a wing with his skills away from the basket.
D’arrae Goodwin D’arrae Goodwin 6’7″ | SF The Linsly School | 2025 State #190 Nation WV already has the D1 offers to show that he is likely WV’s most versatile player. Goodwin has shown the skills that a wing type player should possess but also the toughness and grit of a forward with rebounding and post play. Goodwin has a wicked first step for a player at his height and handles like a guard.
Braydon Hawthorne Braydon Hawthorne 6’8″ | SG Huntington Prep | 2025 State #215 Nation WV is a big guard trapped in a forward’s body. The Beckley native has grown at a rapid pace and currently stretches to 6’8″ with possible room to grow. When you see Hawthorne its easy to see he’s a guard but just with a long body. Plays like a shooting guard but with his length will definitely be projected as a wing/small forward type of position player. Hawthorne shoots it well, handles like a two guard and passes like a point.
Ruben Salazar Ruben Salazar 6’7″ | SF Linsly | 2025 State WV is a smooth shooting wing and strong bodied forward. He shoots it at a high rate as well as handles like a guard. His length allows him to get off shots against most defenders. Salazar projects as a small forward type player at the next level.
Roman Kellum Roman Kellum 6’5″ | PF South Charleston | 2025 State WV is possibly the most athletic player in this group, yet one of the smaller ones. At 6’6″ he’s a player almost without position, but is willing to play whatever spot he’s needed. A high flying athletic rebounder and dunker, a rim running forward, but also a slashing wing.
TD Bodkins TD Bodkins 6’5″ | SF Philip Barbour | 2025 State WV plays a number of positions but what we like most is he can defend multiple positions as well. He’s routinely been tasked with guarding post players as well as wing players. Bodkins is a talented and skilled multi-sport athlete that shoots it at a high rate from beyond the arc, yet is comfortable being used as a ball handler when the situations arise.
Zane Saunders Zane Saunders 6’7″ | PF South Charleston | 2025 State WV is maybe the most interesting player in this group as he might have the higher ceiling. Saunders is very comfortable handling the ball away and facing the basket, shoots it well above average as well as gets it done in the paint. Probably projected as a stretch 4 at the next level, but has the versatility right now to be a post player or develop his face up skills and be used as a small forward type player.