2029 Rankings – The Top Five

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Summer ball has concluded and it's time to release the initial Class of 2029 rankings. 68 players make the initial list with a top ten kicking things off. Here's a quick look at the players that made the first top five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 - [player_tooltip player_id='2888697' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] (2029 Reynolds)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It might have been just a one-game glimpse, but that's all we needed to know how good Smith not only will be but currently is right now. In a summer league game in June, he exploded for 42 points, getting his buckets from all over the court. He can score from basically any spot whether it's knocking down deep threes, pulling up off the dribble, or finishing above the rim. He already has all the physical gifts with athleticism and length at 6-foot-3 and when you add in his ball skills, there seems to be no limit to the potential of the incoming Reynolds freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 - [player_tooltip player_id='2910099' first='Kendall' last='Hopkins-McGlothen'] (2029 TBA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versatility is the name of the game of Hopkins-McGlothen, who can play virtually any position on the court. The lefty has great moves around the basket and finishes with a soft touch with either hand, but can also step out and do damage hitting the three or creating off the bounce. While his high school destination is still to be finalized (he played with Benson in June where he looked extremely impressive) there's no question he'll be an immediate contributor wherever he ends up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 - [player_tooltip player_id='2910097' first='Victor' last='Norris III'] (2029 Grant)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tremendous one-on-one player on the offensive end, Norris can break down defenders easily off the dribble and get downhill in a hurry. The 6-foot-2 combo guard isn't just about scoring though as he also exhibits plenty of motor and quickness defensively whether it be on the ball or playing the passing lanes. He got key minutes this summer for Grant where he should be a key cog in another Generals run at the PIL title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 - [player_tooltip player_id='2744610' first='Abraham' last='Cogan'] (2029 Grant)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot to like about Cogan - he's long, athletic, and can jump out of the gym - and he definitely provided some highlights playing on the AAU circuit this spring and summer with Mike James Elite. While running the floor and finishing above the rim are certainly his strengths, he's also continuing to emerge as a threat with his perimeter shooting as well. Unquestionably he's an impact performer at Grant in 2025-26.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 - [player_tooltip player_id='2910091' first='Ryder' last='Powell'] (2029 Banks)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing already at 6-foot-3 with strength, athleticism, and the ability to get buckets on command, Powell is already drawing comparisons to former Lake Oswego (and current Michigan Wolverine) standout Winters Grady. He'll be suiting up at Banks this upcoming season where as a freshman he may already be one of the top players in the state at the 3A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->