2028 Rankings Update: Forwards to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up in our rankings week coverage for the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2028</em>&nbsp;is a positional breakdown of some of New England's most impressive forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a reminder, the unveiling of these rankings was as a&nbsp;<em>Watch List</em>, meaning these prospects aren't ranked, but instead listed as prospects to watch going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five forwards to watch in the&nbsp;<em>Class of 2028</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571906"],"_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-670420341841c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Odugbela enters his first yeat at <em>St. Andrew's</em> coming off a few impressive showcase performances this summer and fall. A big combo forward that has the ability to play on the perimeter and handle the ball in space, Odugbela screams versatility and fits the mold of positionless basketball. Like all young prospects, he'll need to add strength and continue to fill out his frame, but he has a great skillset to build on. He has a solid handle with some shiftiness off the bounce and the ability to make plays for others when he gets into the paint. His size and length allows him to finish at a high rate around the rim. Defensively, he has the ability to guard up and down a lineup, generates a high number of deflections and steals, and even offers rim protection from the weak side. He should only continue to get better and has a chance to do so at a rapid level at <em>St. Andrew's</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571928"],"_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-670420341847d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Toure, who enters his freshman season at <em>Notre Dame-West Haven</em>, made a splash at <em>NERR's Frosh/Soph Elite 75</em>. A physical and athletic wing, Toure is capable of making an eye opening play on either end of the floor at any second. While he has the ability to play on the perimeter, right now, he shines in the paint. He has a great first step, is physical enough to play through contact, and can finish plays above the rim with authority. He's capable of handling the ball in transition and is a dynamic straight line driver. Defensively, he's a tough on ball defender, physical post presence, and can really protect the rim, both on and off the ball. He should continue to develop at a rapid rate at one of the CIAC's top programs and has real next level potential down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571872"],"_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-67042034184bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hadden, already a well known prospect in Massachusetts, has an incredibly versatile skillset that combines well with his athleticism and strong frame. As a prospect, he'll most likely eventually be recognized as a wing, but for now shines both inside the paint and out of it. He's strong, has a well-developed frame, and plays with a high motor. He's capable of scoring at all three levels and is an impressive ball-handler in the open floor. He does a good job of getting downhill off the bounce and can make plays for both himself and others. Defensively, he's capable of guarding up and down a lineup, making an impact with his lateral mobility on the perimeter and with his physicality and aggressiveness in the paint. He's headed to a highly competitive program at <em>CATS Academy</em> and should have the chance to continue to develop at a rapid rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571904"],"_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-67042034184f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGrath, who will play his high school basketball at <em>North Quincy</em>, is another prospect that impressed at a variety of events and showcases this summer and fall. Standing 6'6" with long arms, McGrath is already an impressive athlete that has a frame that looks like its ready to compete at the varsity level from Day 1. He's capable of playing on the perimeter or in the post and has a level of above the rim athleticism that's rare in the class of 2028. He's strong off the bounce, finishes with authority at the rim, and has even proven capable of making shots on the move from behind the arc. Defensively, he's a big time rim protector that controls the glass and has the mobility to switch onto the perimeter out of ball screens. He has a chance to be on of the top first years in the MIAA and could see his stock rise significantly come the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571895"],"_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-6704203418531"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Malcore, who will start his high school career this winter at <em>Kents Hill</em>, is one of the more intriguing long-term prospects to come out of Maine in recent years. A mobile forward with a great feel around the rim, Malcore has improved at a rapid rate over the last year. He's long and lean and moves his feet well, but has a frame that should support added weight, which will allow him to continue to improve his athleticism and physicality in the paint. Right now, he does a terrific job as a hard roller out of ball screens, shows a good set of hands in the post, and can finish strong at the rim through traffic. When he gets into open space, he's comfortable putting the ball on the floor for multiple dribbles and even shows the ability to finish above the rim with authority. He'll be an intriguing prospect to follow going forward and has a chance to end up on the D1 radar sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->