Who Should be the #1 Ranked Prospect in 2028?!

We're at the time of year where we update of class rankings in the state, and with the release of the updated 2026 rankings, I thought it was a good idea to ask and analyze a very important question.   Who should be the #1 ranked prospect when we do our first ever class of 2028 rankings in the next couple of weeks?   Here's a look at six prospects that I'm currently considering for the #1 spot in the rising sophomore rankings when I create them. Do you agree? Am I missing someone? Feel free to discuss it and let me know!   [player_tooltip player_id='2506228' first='Owen' last='Laver'] | 6'7” PF | Stuart Hall   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImagei3oUOD.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/tempImagei3oUOD.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2801237" /></a></figure>   Laver transferred to Stuart Hall from the Harrisonburg area where he was part of the school's first ever state championship in the VISAA D-IV division, and he ended the season with a fantastic final four where he led the team in scoring and rebounding, and has followed it up with a great spring for [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] on the 3SSB Circuit. The 6'7” power forward is tough well beyond his years, as he is physical, strong and athletic for such a young prospect with a swagger well beyond his years as well. He plays above the rim with ease and authority both in transition and on the block, he has good touch around the rim and out to the mid-post area too, he moves his feet well on switches and protects the rim, and his toughness is something you simply can't teach.   [player_tooltip player_id='2548181' first='Isaiah' last='Carter'] | 6'6” WF | John Marshall   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/745-Isaiah-Carter.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/745-Isaiah-Carter.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2552826" /></a></figure>   Carter made his name known as an eighth grader playing on varsity for Trinity Episcopal before transferring to John Marshall for his freshman season, and he played a major role helping them to a state championship and playing a national schedule as well. The 6'6” wing exhibits many traits of a nationally ranked prospect, ranging from his long arms and natural athleticism for a young wing to his pure shooting ability as one of the top young shooters in the state. He has a maturity to his game with a high IQ and great instincts, he is highly skilled for his age, he has a competitive chip on both ends and he's already being recruited by high major programs across the country.   [player_tooltip player_id='2548185' first='Kelvin' last='Anderson'] | 6'2” CG | Catholic   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/743-Kelvin-Anderson.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/743-Kelvin-Anderson.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2552824" /></a></figure>   Anderson started as a freshman for a very talented Catholic team, and after turning heads during the high school season he's had a great start to the summer as well with [program_tooltip program_id='2226307' first='Team' last='Loaded VA'] on the 3SSB Circuit. Anderson looks nothing like your typical freshman guard, as he has a cut and strong frame that allows him to play through contact, and he moves like a well seasoned guard with his quick twitch athleticism both with the ball in his hands and on the defensive end too. He's deadly in the midrange area and has improved in his consistency from deep off the catch, he finishes well when he gets downhill through contact, he can make plays for others and he's a dog defensively. He already holds multiple division one offers as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2916372' first='Damien' last='Robinson'] | 6'1” PG | Landstown   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Damien-Robinson.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/Damien-Robinson.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2450287" /></a></figure>   Robinson is one of the youngest players on this list, and despite being brand new to high school basketball he hit the ground running as the go-to guy for a Landstown team that was the youngest team to make the state tournament, and he's one of the rare players to get a Class 6 First Team All State recognition as a freshman. The 6'1” guard is as confident as they come with his scoring ability and great instincts on both ends of the floor, and he isn't afraid to go at anyone at any point. He can drill it from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, he's shifty on the ball with the ability to get in the lane and score it, and his conditioning is off the charts as he flies around and makes plays on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='2884415' first='Devin' last='Ainsworth'] | 6'2” PG | St. Stephen's St. Agnes   Ainsworth started for a St. Stephen's team that made a run to the VISAA D-I state semifinals, and the way that he is as a lead guard is something you just don't see from players his age. Standing 6'2” with a good frame, Ainsworth moves like someone well beyond his years, as he is shifty and quick off the bounce with the ability to turn the corner and get downhill at will to put pressure on the defense. He's a crafty and athletic finisher already and will only get better and more athletic as he grows into his body, he can create space and score it from all three levels with ease, he makes plays for others and is excellent in ball screen actions, and he is great at pressuring the ball and forcing turnovers on the defensive end of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='2916369' first='Isaac' last='Smith'] | 6'6” WF | Hargrave National   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImage3ERkbd.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImage3ERkbd.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2724494" /></a></figure>   Smith looks like he's going to continue the tradition of big time hoopers from the Danville area, as the 6'6” freshman was a VHSL Class 3 All State selection at GW Danville as a freshman, and recently announced he will be transferring to local prep powerhouse Hargrave to play for their varsity team and possibly move to the prep team in the upcoming years. When it comes to raw talent and long term upside, it's hard not to consider Smith as the top prospect as he is wiry strong with long arms and explosive athleticism, and his perimeter skillset is well beyond what you'll find for most prospects his size at his age. He can knock it down from deep off the catch with a quick release, he can put it on the deck and get to the rim where he can play above the rim, he can play and guard multiple positions, and he's a good rebounder as well.

We're at the time of year where we update of class rankings in the state, and with the release of the updated 2026 rankings, I thought it was a good idea to ask and analyze a very important question.