Breaking Down Our 2028 Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code "Proia30" for discounted subscription</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We spent some time watching the incoming freshman class over the spring and summer to combine those evaluations with film and conversations with both HS and AAU coaches to produce our initial 2028 rankings. They can be found here. Let's touch on our initial top 10 prospects in the class to preview the skillsets we saw and how they will contribute to their teams this season. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524394"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d8c7c160df2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Our top prospect shined this summer playing up on a New World team that won 3SSB this year. A strong athlete that impacts the game at both ends of the floor, Smith-Bey is a phenomenal leaper that swung games for NW as a versatile defender that guarded 1-5 in AAU while serving as an effective slasher to the rim. He similarly stood out coming off the bench for the Cadets during DC Live and played his role well without needing touches. His tenacity and competitiveness should earn him some early minutes on a deep SJC team looking to make a push in the WCAC this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194788"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d8c7c160e77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Skipworth chose not to play AAU for most of the spring and all of the summer to focus on development, playing with/against college athletes and pros to prepare for his first high school season. A fluid athlete that scores it at a high clip from 18 feet and in, his defensive versatility will make him an invaluable glue piece in a Bullis lineup that needs wing defenders to fill in alongside their senior duo of Reibe/Stevens. Once he fills out his frame, continues to polish the handle, and extends his shooting range beyond the three point line--he will likely carve out a name for himself on a national scale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194764"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d8c7c160ebe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Allen impressed this summer for the Panthers as a raw W/F tweener that rebounds the ball at a high level, provides weakside rim protection, finishes well above the basket, and is capable of taking most forwards off the bounce. His touch around the basket is developing nicely on floaters, putbacks, and layups off last-second passes from PGs in the dunker's spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194753"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d8c7c160eff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Big Dave handles his business on the low block as a dependable post scorer that gets to a ton of rebounds because he does his work early to carve out space. A reliable pair of hands that come up with tough passes in traffic make him a valuable role target and offensive rebounder. Defensively he does a good job of remaining vertical without fouling and communicating on the back line, although he will need to improve his vertical leaping ability to maximize his value at that end of the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2546066"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66d8c7c160f44"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-A dynamic 6'4 athlete from Pennsylvania that we really liked over the summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'], Williams should turn heads locally as a versatile wing prospect with a ton of upside. The handle is tight enough to take advantage of a quick first step so Williams frequently blows past his man and gets paint touches to create plays for his team. Excited to see how he fits into a veteran mix of talent at Loyola.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->