Watch List to Rankings: 2028 Prospects Making Early Statements

The wait is over! We've officially dropped our first rankings for the 2028 class. While it's still early in the process, this initial Top 30 gives a glimpse at the young talent already making waves across the state. Alongside the rankings, we've compiled a deep watch list of names to track moving forward. But before you dive into the full list, here are five players who stood out and earned their spots in the Top 30, and here's why they made the cut.    [player_tooltip player_id='2470673' first='Demetrius' last='Lambert'] brings a mature, well-rounded game that's beyond his age. He plays with pace, power, and a relentless motor. Whether it's slashing downhill, attacking in transition, or locking up defensively, Lambert imposes his will. He's explosive off the bounce, finishes with authority, and consistently impacts the game without needing the ball in his hands. As a freshman, he looked comfortable on varsity. In grassroots, he's been dominant. He scores at all three levels and shows he can be the go-to guy. With his athleticism, motor, and polish, Lambert is a two-way threat who's just scratching the surface. Don't be surprised if he finishes even higher by next cycle as he comes in as the No.3 player in the class.     [player_tooltip player_id='2387462' first='Noah' last='Adkins'] earns the top spot among true point guards in the class thanks to his composure, leadership, and high-level decision-making. He's a floor general in every sense as he controls tempo, sees the floor well, and thrives in pick-and-roll situations. Adkins doesn't force the issue, instead, he patiently reads the defense and makes winning plays. His unselfishness stands out, as he often sacrifices his own shot to create better looks for his teammates. During his varsity season, he showed steady growth, adapting to physicality and game speed. In grassroots, Adkins has flipped the switch. He's taken on a scoring load while still keeping his teammates involved. He's become more aggressive as a finisher, stretches the floor with his jumper, and gets to his spots with purpose. That is where he is best, so hopefully, he keeps that same aggression heading into an important sophomore season ahead. Expect him to be a breakout candidate in Year 2. He comes in at the No. 6 overall player in the class.     [player_tooltip player_id='2381948' first='Sam' last='Walkowiak'] is a high-effort, two-way player who brings value on both ends of the floor. That is what separates him from the pack. He competes at a high level and finishes strong around the rim, defends multiple spots, and plays with an edge that stands out. He doesn't take plays off and gets the best out of his teammates. His versatility and ability to impact the game in several ways is why he lands in the Top 10.     [player_tooltip player_id='2381955' first='Jeremiah' last='Shortis'] is a physical force at the wing/forward spot, posting 9.9 points and 5.4 rebounds as a freshman. He overpowers defenders in the paint, finishes through contact, and controls the glass with strength and effort. Shortis continues to expand his skill set and is having a productive summer. With his numbers and upside, Year 2 is set to be even bigger so he must take the next step. He comes in at the no. 13 spot.     [player_tooltip player_id='2392561' first='Will' last='Weirath'] isn't on many boards yet, but he should be. He quietly averaged 6.9 points while shooting a lights-out 43% from three as a freshman. That efficiency from deep forced defenses to stretch, allowing his team to use him in spacing sets and isolations. He reads the floor well, makes smart decisions, and creates for others out of closeouts. Weirath is a breakout candidate in Year 2, and will have the opportunity to put up big numbers. This summer will be about polishing his game as he will have plenty more eyes on him moving forward.

The wait is over! We've officially dropped our first rankings for the 2028 class. While it's still early in the process, this initial Top 30 gives a glimpse at the young talent already making waves across the state. Alongside the rankings, we've compiled a deep watch list of names to track moving forward. But before you dive into the full list, here are five players who stood out and earned their spots in the Top 30, and here's why they made the cut.