2028 Rankings Update: Key Prospects on the Watch List

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Take a look at 5 prospects to keep a close eye on in the 2028 Watch List heading into another season!</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2331101' first='Cam' last='Cuffee'] - West Johnston</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>had a productive year on the NXTPro stage with [program_tooltip program_id='2234929' first='1' last='of 1 Elite']; has the potential to be a high-level floor general given his speed/quickness on both ends of the hardwood; should push West Johnston's backcourt this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2779389' first='MJ' last='Mcduffie'] - EE Smith </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaged 17.7 ppg and 5.8 rpg as a freshman on varsity this past season; good upside for his size at 6-foot-5; rebounds and flies around the rim with constant energy; a workhorse in the making in the Fayetteville area so long as he keeps developing his game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2631501' first='Marcell' last='Washington'] - Southern Wake Academy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An intriguing guard who should get some varsity minutes with last year's 1A State Runner-Up; took this past summer off to focus on training; will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the speed of the varsity game in the 2028 class; could play both JV/varsity in 2025-26; point guard with potential</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2953068' first='Travis' last='Cooper'] - Southeast Raleigh</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Had a productive grassroots season with [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road']; versatile wing/forward with good size at 6-foot-6; high-level defender who takes it upon himself to defend the opposing team's best player; just scratching the surface of what he can do; should be a key player on a young SE Raleigh squad this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2953476' first='Richard' last='Simpson'] - Hobbton</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another sizeable prospect in the class at 6-foot-5 with some versatility in his game; averaged 14.5 ppg as a freshman on varsity; another prospect in the 2028 class who flies around utilizing his length/athleticism to make his presence felt; plays with a ton of energy in the painted area; a bright future prospect in the Hobbton area</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->