Updated 2025 Rankings: Forwards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The time has finally come as we have updated our senior class rankings in Virginia! The new rankings feature close to 40 new players, ranking 173 players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll take a look at some positional breakdowns in the rankings, looking at the guards, wings and forwards rankings. Here's part one of the forwards, ranking the top power forwards and centers in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2548304' first='Jeremiah' last='Banks'] | 6'9” C | Norview (#112 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2547150,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage0PmAe8.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage0PmAe8.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2547150" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banks makes his debut in the rankings and possibly could move up this list, as he's still a bit raw but has a lot of upside and things you can't teach on the basketball court. Standing a legit 6'9” with long arms he's a mobile big who can get up and down the floor, he has good timing as a rim protector, he has solid touch around the rim and out to the elbows and he has a frame that should fill out well moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='1956077' first='Jordan' last='Jackson'] | 6'7” PF | Highland Springs (#97 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson has been one of the most intriguing prospects in the Richmond area over the last few years with his blend of size, athleticism and skill that makes him a tough matchup for anyone. The 6'7” forward gets up and down the floor well and is able to finish above the rim in transition, he can stretch the floor and pull defenders out of the lane and he has relatively good ball skill too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) [player_tooltip player_id='1767530' first='Eann' last='Pennix'] | 6'5” PF | South County (#92 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1740594,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-10-at-12.52.53-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-10-at-12.52.53-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1740594" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pennix is a high school coaches dream to have his on his team, as he may be undersized but he's a walking mismatch who impacts the game on both ends and doesn't need the ball in his hands much to do it. He's a scrappy player who fights for loose balls and rebounds well for his size, he can guard almost any position on the floor, he finishes well with both hands and he can take slower bigs off the bounce in face ups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2451966' first='Cole' last='Hoffman'] | 6'8” C | Manchester (#89 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2504909,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageoXlNWn.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/tempImageoXlNWn.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2504909" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffman was a big stock riser this summer playing with Team Richmond as he got better and more confident from April to July and showed a lot of improvement in that time. At 6'8” with a big frame he is a paint clogger who can alter shots without fouling, he buries defenders deep and can finish with both hands, he attacks the glass well on both ends and he converts at a good clip from the line too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) Xaver Wilson | 6'7” C | Colnial Forge (#80 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1718992,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-28-at-4.09.30-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-28-at-4.09.30-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1718992" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson has been one of the best players in the Fredericksburg area for the last few years, and is set to have a big senior season for a very good Forge team that could surprise some teams. He's grown to about 6'7” and is a load in the paint who can clear out space to finish and rebound, he protects the rim and isn't afraid to make you pay if you come down the lane and he's a monster on the offensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='1956066' first='Michael' last='Manser'] | 6'8” PF | VA Academy (#72 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manser is one of the more versatile and new age big men on this list, as he's a perimeter oriented forward who changes defensive game plans with his skill set. He can drill it from deep and is excellent as a trail or in pick-and-pop situations, he can attack late closeouts off the bounce and has good ball skills for his size and he is a good passer for his position too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2242187' first='Braden' last='Norris'] | 6'6” PF | Westfield (#68 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norris is going to be the senior leader for a talented but young Westfield team that will be a tough out this season, and he'll play an important role as they are very wing and guard dominated. At 6'6” Norris has great touch around the rim with both hands, he isn't afraid to get physical in the paint, he rebounds well and is a good outlet passer and he can pull defenders out with his work at the high post too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) Deng Wutchock | 6'7” PF | VA Academy (#66 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wutchock is a new name to the rankings after breaking out this summer during the live periods, and while he's still a bit raw he's a walking mismatch who has a ton of upside moving forward with his versatility. The 6'7” forward can knock down shots from the midrange and even out past the three-point line, he's a very good passer for his position, he's a good athlete who can run the floor and finish above the rim and he has a ton of upside on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) [player_tooltip player_id='1767529' first='Brandon' last='Edozie'] | 6'8” C | Forest Park (#65 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edozie is a two sport start at Forest Park who thrives both on the football field and on the basketball court, and he's one of the most impactful bigs you'll come across. He's the type of player who knows his game and plays to his strengths as he plays with a high motor and runs the floor hard, he protects the rim defensively, he attacks the offensive glass hard and he finishes well around the rim on post ups and second chance opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='1511636' first='Levi' last='Hamilton'] | 6'8” C | Jefferson Forest (#63 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamilton is one of the best players int he Lynchburg area and comes from a school that has produced quite a few collegiate big men in the past, with him being the next one up. At 6'8” he's an active big who plays hard on both ends of the floor, he has good hands and soft touch around the rim, he challenges shots without fouling and he shows a lot of toughness with his ability to play through fouls and throw his weight around in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->