Early Risers: 2028 Guards Poised to Climb the Rankings 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It has been a long time coming but we will finally have our first look at the 2028 rankings, or at least our first crack at it in the next two weeks. The 2028 class seems to be a deep one with a great deal of players playing varsity. Here are some players that separated themselves from the pack this season and who we expect to be on the actual rankings list.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2697273"],"_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-68487373d0c2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ezekiel was not only one of the top scorers in the state last season but was the top scorer in the 2028 class and set the bar high for his next few seasons. He put up 17.0 points a game on a Senior-heavy team, was the focal point for opposing defenses on a night in and out basis and that will only prepare him for a summer to hone in on his craft. Stump was able to see what different defenses teams could throw at him and I expect him continue to get back to being an elite scorer heading into season 2. Solid first year for the freshman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2393695"],"_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-68487373d0c8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2393695' first='Montae' last='Johnson'] is a confident and polished 2028 prospect. He's already turning heads as one of the top guards in his class and competing nationally. With the ball in his hands, he's a smooth isolation scorer who thrives off the dribble and is deadly in catch-and-shoot situations. As his high school team undergoes major changes, Montae will be leaned on to take and make tough shots and he seems to welcome that challenge. He's a standout on one of the regions top grassroots teams, he competes with intensity and poise beyond his years and his pace, control, and ability to open things up for others set him apart early. Montae is a must-see guard and one we feel will sit atop the list. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2381952"],"_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-68487373d0cd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Columbine is a dark horse team that I am picking early to be one of the teams that shock us this upcoming season. They are tough, they are balanced and the best part about it is, they are young. This will be a group that compete with the best of them and with a young guard like Dyson that will be elevated into a leadership role as one of their best players in only his sophomore campaign, the sky is the limit for this group. As only a freshman, Dyson put up 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game. He is one of the versatile two-way guards in the entire task and a player that I feel more people will be hearing about soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2398659"],"_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-68487373d0d1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It is very rare that Denver East has a down year, so catch them while you can and celebrate it. One thing that East has always seemed to have had is a young player to be excited about and that is still the case. Insert [player_tooltip player_id='2398659' first='Dayesun' last='Collier'] is a smooth lefty that saved the best game of the for last with some momentum to build off of as it will be up to him and a young core to lead the way with so many seniors graduating from last years group. This grassroots season will be about leading the group as a guard, developing a jumper as defenses will key in on him as well as turning defense into offense. Collier leads a lot to be optimistic about and is a guard that will make some noise in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387462"],"_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-6848796598d31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2387462' first='Noah' last='Adkins'] is a true floor general with a high IQ and unselfish approach that is not seen often. A pass-first guard, he reads defenses well and consistently sets teammates up for success. As the season wore on, the game began to slow down for him, showcasing his growth. He brings energy on both ends and leads by example. With his motor, vision, and leadership, Adkins is trending upward and poised for a breakout AAU season and I have been hearing aplenty about how he has been taking over. Expect him to be one of the state's top guards next season and one of the top guards in a loaded class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->