2028 Watch List: Small Forwards

A long, athletic wing who loves to attack the rim in transition, Bakke is bouncy and looks to finish above the rim when he can. He's great on the glass on both ends of the floor and is a good enough ball-handler and playmaker to lead the break after pulling down a defensive board. He's a capable 3-point shooting threat from deep, and if he can add some consistency to that part of his game, he could become a really dangerous offensive weapon.     A wing with good size and length, Cavazos can play with or without the ball in his hands, showing impressive ball-handling and court vision as a passer as well as the ability to knock down shots off the catch. He can defend a few different spots on the floor with his size and length as well.     Craig is a really intriguing young prospect who can really shoot it from deep off the catch, which when paired with his size, makes him an extremely valuable wing. His ball-handling and playmaking off the bounce is still a work in progress, but he provides some versatility on the defensive end, competes on the glass on both ends of the floor, and his shooting is top-notch.     Hamilton is a strong wing who uses his strength to bully his way to the rim against smaller defenders. He finishes well through contact at the bucket with either hand and has shown some ability to step out and stretch the floor with a high release on his shot. He handles the ball pretty well and has enough vision to lead the break after pulling down a defensive rebound.     Hughes was impressive at our Freshman Showcase back in August, showing the ability to score from all three levels and play with or without the ball in his hands. He attacks the rim hard off the dribble and can finish through contact effectively with either hand. He shoots it well off both the dribble and the catch, getting good rotation on his jumper with a smooth release and extended range. He also provides some real versatility on the defensive end, holding his own against bigger bodies with his combination of size, strength, and athleticism, and those qualities, combined with his speed, allow him to defend on the perimeter at a high level.     Jackson is one of the most impressive players in the 2028 class, a gifted, athletic, long wing who can score from all three levels, defend multiple positions, and control the glass on both ends of the floor. He finishes above the rim with authority, can create plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates, and he knocks down shots from 3-point range off both the dribble and the catch. He delivered one of the most impressive Showcase performances I've ever seen at our Freshman Showcase in August, looking like a player who could've dominated our all-class Expo, and he'll be among a small group of players under consideration for the #1 spot when the initial '28 rankings are released in December or January.     North Scott is going to be absolutely loaded with young talent, and Morgan, an athletic, long 6-1 wing, is one of those key pieces. He has great vision and is a skilled ball-handler who can really create plays off the bounce for his teammates or get to the bucket for his own finishes. He can finish at the rim with either hand, and do so through contact, and he shoots it well off the dribble. He's a high upside wing.     An athletic wing who moves well without the ball in his hands, Kueter can knock down shots off the catch at a high clip, showing good form and rotation on his jumper. He can create plays off the dribble a bit, and he's really good on the glass on both ends of the floor.     An athletic wing who pounds the glass hard on both ends of the floor, Miller is a good enough ball-handler and playmaker to then lead the break after a defensive board. He runs the floor hard and finishes well at the rim with either hand.     The other Morgan boy at North Scott will be in strong consideration for the #1 spot in the 2028 rankings when those first come out. He's a remarkably skilled playmaker with the ball in his hands, which when paired with his length and athleticism, makes him nearly impossible to slow down. He competes on the glass on both ends of the floor, knocks down shots off the dribble and the catch, and can provide some real versatility on the defensive end of the floor.     Nichols can do a little bit of everything on the floor, creating plays off the dribble for himself and his teammates, spotting up and knocking down shots off the catch, rebounding on both ends of the floor, and defending a few different spots on that end. He has good size and length, allowing him to provide some versatility defensively, and his ability to play with and without the ball in his hands offensively make him valuable.     Thielen is a long, lanky wing who covers a lot of ground on both ends of the floor. He does a great job contesting shots on the perimeter and getting up into passing lanes. He finishes effectively at the rim with either hand, and can finish through contact.