7 Under Recruited Forwards and Bigs Who Can Impact a Program

Heading into the high school season, I would like to highlight some players that I think are underrated or under recruited by colleges. These players are, in my opinion, either being overlooked by colleges at the level they could play for, or don't have enough schools at that level that are aware of the impact they could bring. Here's a look at seven forwards and big men in the state that should be getting more love from college coaches.   [player_tooltip player_id='2459359' first='Jisaiah' last='Bryant'] | 6'6” F | Liberty Christian Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bryant-Jisiah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bryant-Jisiah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2963629" /></a></figure>   Bryant was an All State selection last season for LCA, and the 6'6” hybrid forward is being prioritized by many of the top D3 programs in the state, but his versatility and production level show he should be getting even more recruiting his way. He is a walking mismatch who can take slower defenders off the bounce and is an athletic finisher when he gets downhill, he rebounds very well for his size and can start the break, he can guard on the perimeter and in the paint with his mobility and strength, and he plays within his game making him very efficient and productive across the board.   [player_tooltip player_id='2548297' first='Gart' last='Heller'] | 6'8” PF | Powhatan   This fall Heller looks much improved since he came on our radar last year at the Prep Hoops Expo, and between a growth spurt and improvements in both his body and skillset he looks like he's just scratching the surface with how good he can be. He's mobile with the ability to run the floor and show on pick-and-rolls defensively, he has good hands to catch tough passes and solid moves around the rim to get defenders off their feet, he has soft touch around the rim, and he's developing a nice face up game too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1963533' first='Ryan' last='Brzezanski'] | 6'7” PF | Briar Woods   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-05-at-2.27.11-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-05-at-2.27.11-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2149720" /></a></figure>   Brzezanski has been on our radar since he was a freshman, but he took a huge leap his junior year and this past summer and will likely take the biggest jump in our next rankings, and has even picked up a recent D1 offer from Mount St. Mary's. The 6'7” forward has grown into his body and has become an explosive athlete who plays above the rim consistently with authority, he moves his feet well on switches and is good at challenging shots without fouling, he runs the floor well in transition, and he's able to create mismatches with his perimeter skillset and shooting as well.   Emmanuel Villegas | 6'8” PF | Benedictine   Villegas is another player that has been on our radar and we've been keeping on an eye, and has also took quite the leap over the past year or so as he's grown both physically and within his game as well, meaning he likely still has room to develop over the next few years if he goes to the right spot. At 6'8” he has long arms and has slimmed down to be able to move his feet and run the floor better, he has good hands to catch passes and good touch around the rim with both hands, and he's shown touch out to the midrange and has started to extend his range beyond the arc as well.   Marjaylen Jackson | 6'6” C | Albemarle   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Jackson-Marjaylen.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Jackson-Marjaylen.jpg?w=474" alt="" class="wp-image-2874088" /></a></figure>   Jackson was a breakout player as a junior helping lead Albemarle to a state championship appearance, and while he might be considered short for his position, he's one of the most consistently productive bigs you'll come across and can impact a program with his ability to dominate in the paint at his size. He's one of those players that just has a knack for being around the ball and being in the right position all the time, he's very strong in the paint and deceptively quick to either bully or spin off defenders in post ups, he finishes everything within five feet and finishes well through contact, and he's very consistent at the free throw line as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2347788' first='Merrick' last='Rillstone'] | 6'7” PF | South Lakes   Rillstone has quietly been one of the top players in the Northern VA area over the past few years, and he's one coaches should be all over as he's a walking mismatch with his versatility that can play and guard multiple positions. At 6'7” he has legit guard skills with the ability to handle in transition and create shots in isolation situations, he can stretch the floor with his shooting ability, he rebounds well in traffic and out of his area on both ends of the floor, and while he isn't overly athletic he's very smooth and mobile making him able to switch and guard almost every position on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1542852' first='Ethan' last='Apergis'] | 6'8” C | Episcopal   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Ethan-Asparis-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Ethan-Asparis-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2845549" /></a></figure>   Apergis is another player that has just steadily improved year after year for an Episcopal team that has improved alongside him, and he is another mismatch type of big man that can impact a program with his ability to fit in different roles and give them different looks. At 6'8” he's a load in the paint with good hands to catch tough passes and touch with both hands around the rim, he's a good straight line driver from the perimeter and in face ups and has good footwork to get positioning and finish through contact, he can stretch the floor off the catch on pops and trails, and he is a good passer for his position as well.

Heading into the high school season, I would like to highlight some players that I think are underrated or under recruited by colleges. These players are, in my opinion, either being overlooked by colleges at the level they could play for, or don't have enough schools at that level that are aware of the impact they could bring. Here's a look at seven forwards and big men in the state that should be getting more love from college coaches.