Updated 2025 Rankings: Forwards (5-1)
In this article:
With the recent update of the class of 2025 rankings, we will take a look at how the rankings are broke down by position. Here’s a look at part three of the top forwards in the class, ranking the top…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the recent update of the class of 2025 rankings, we will take a look at how the rankings are broke down by position.
Here’s a look at part three of the top forwards in the class, ranking the top 5 power forwards and centers in the junior class.
5) Riley Jacobs Riley Jacobs 6'8" | C St. Stephen's & St. Agnes | 2025 State VA | 6’8” PF | St. Stephen’s St. Agnes (#18 Overall)
Jacobs has emerged over the past year or so as one of the most intriguing big men in the state, as he has improved consistently and rounded out his game to become one of the most versatile guys in the DMV. At 6’8” he’s an athletic forward who can run the floor and finishes above the rim with authority both in transition and in the half court. He has improved his ball skills to be able to handle it in transition, he can make shots from deep when open, he’s a good rebounder on both ends and he’s a versatile defender as well.
4) Jaquan Womack Jaquan Womack 6'7" | PF Paul VI | 2025 State #284 Nation VA | 6’7” PF | Paul VI (#16 Overall)
Womack has been overshadowed for a lot of his career on a PVI team with five seniors going to play high major basketball, but this year due to injuries he’s been able to show what makes him an intriguing prospect as well. At 6’7” he’s a hybrid new age forward who brings versatility with his blend of size, strength and skill that allows him to impact the game across the board. He’s a three level scorer who works well off the ball and can cut and finish in traffic, he can wall up in the paint and also switch on the perimeter, he plays with good physicality and a high motor and he can score the ball in a number of different ways.
3) Martez Harris Martez Harris 6'10" | PF Cape Henry | 2025 State #269 Nation VA | 6’10” PF | Oak Hill (#14 Overall)
The Virginia Beach native headed to Oak Hill this season where he became an important piece off the bench and has shown good improvement throughout the season. He has great physical tools with a strong frame and good length, and he has a great skillset that makes him an inside-out threat and should continue to get better when he gets to the next level. He is able to post on the block or in the mid-post area where he has a good fall-away, he can finish with both hands around the rim, he can rebound and challenge shots around the rim and he can step out and make shots from deep as well.
2) Silas Barksdale Silas Barksdale 6'7" | PF Woodside | 2025 State #176 Nation VA | 6’8” PF | Woodside (#9 Overall)
Barksdale has had a breakout season for a Woodside team that has a chance to go back-to-back as state champions, and he continues to draw the attention of high major schools across the board. At 6’8” he has a frame that should fill out nicely but is still stronger than he looks, and he’s a high motor forward who is always a double-double threat. He is a very good rebounder both in his area and chasing long ones out his area, he uses his body well to finish through traffic around the paint, he shows good touch out to the elbows and at the free throw line and he is very active on both ends of the floor.
1) Marcus Jackson Marcus Jackson 6'8" | C John Marshall | 2025 State #161 Nation VA | 6’8” C | John Marshall (#3 Overall)
Jackson may have the most upside of any player on this list, as he’s already a physical specimen with a great frame and one of the most explosive athletes you’ll see at his size. He runs the floor like a guard and is able to throw down dunk contest like dunks in game when he gets out in transition. He’s strong enough to wall up and athletic enough to challenge shots against taller post players, and he’s an excellent help side shot blocker as well. He’s shown improvement this year in his ability to knock down shots from deep and put it on the deck, and when it all clicks he has a chance to be a dominant force at the next level.