2028: Breaking Down Our Top 10

New readers: Use code Proia30     Our class of 2028 rankings dropped today (link can be found <a href="https://prephoops.com/2025/11/updated-2028-maryland-rankings/">here</a>, with 150 different prospects from Washington DC and Maryland making their way into our rankings--with 54 new prospects added to the site for the sophomore class. This one was a little tricky due to some prospects competing on varsity last year while others showed what they can do at the junior varsity level. But our scouts came together and we had a consensus top 10, we'll break that group down to introduce you to the new Class of 2028.    -Skipworth retains his spot at the top of our rankings because of the impact that he has at both ends of the floor for his team. Skipworth can create his own shot at an elite level from the midrange, gets to the rim with regularity, plays with poise, can be assigned to an opponent's best offensive player, is hitting shots at a higher rate, and is even getting some primary creator reps this season. The PG experiment was off to a pretty good start at Skipworth showed that he can use his scoring gravity to create for his teammates from a standstill or off the bounce, throwing a flurry of different passes with either hand. If he can show that the point guard reads are here to stay while improving his explosiveness and developing into a consistent 3 point shooter-- I'd expect his development to continue its ascension at Bullis.     -One of if not the highest upside in the class, Avery made a big splash this offseason by transferring to Spalding to pair with Bogard in the frontcourt. Avery can put the ball on the floor, has really worked to improve his handle, and is starting to hit jumpers from all 3 levels off the bounce with much more consistency. His size and athletic gifts allow him to cover ground as a versatile defender that can also contribute on the glass at both ends of the floor. The volume and variance in his skillbase gives him a great foundation to build off of as a young prospect (no reclass) with tons of upside. If he can continue to improve as an off-ball mover to take advantage of his scoring touch and secondary passing while also ramping up the motor and consistency--it's not out of the question to see a new #1 in 2028 in the near future.     -Bogard turned a incredibly-consistent and productive freshman season in Severn into a summer of growth on the EYBL circuit with TTO and as a standout in invite-only elite events. He doesn't make anything complicated offensively and takes what the defense gives him-- serving as an effective scorer and rebounder in the paint while also showing the ability to shoot and pass from the top of the key. Love the motor and energy that he plays with at both ends of the floor, I've come away impressed with how much he has improved his body over the last two years. Should be on the short list for BCL POY candidates this season as he will get a ton of help in the front court this season with the improved depth that Spalding put together over the summer.     -Have loved seeing the strides that Smith-Bey has made this offseason as a hard-nosed guard that has refined his skillset nicely over the past few months. He has grown and put on weight to add to that growth spurt, but the most marked improvement is the offensive decisiveness with quick reads in the halfcourt as well as his catch and shoot ability from beyond the arc. LOVE the motor and sheer joy that he puts into making life absolutely miserable for whatever opponent he guards on a nightly basis while also showing the ability to serve as an effective helper in the halfcourt. I expect him to be at the nucleus of increased ball pressure that I think SJC will apply at the defensive end of the floor to jump out to early leads. But his consistency at the offensive end of the floor will be huge for a Cadets group that will need him to score on a nightly basis with the graduation/departure of several key pieces of the backcourt.     -In an area that includes several high level guard defenders, Washington might be the best point of attack defender in the area. Washington uses his size, speed, and a lightning-quick set of hands to be a nightmare at the POA as the defensive lynchpin for a young Quakers group that will need his leadership this season. Washington overcame some growing pains as a finisher in the paint to be an effective catalyst at both ends of the floor for Sidwell as the paint touches that he generated created a ton of open looks for teammates. I want to see him earn himself a consistent 3-4 trips to the free throw line each game to get himself going while also showing that he can knock down open jumpers out to 15 feet at the elbows. If he can also improve his floater off of one and two feet while continuing to serve as a whirling creator in the paint for his team, Sidwell shouldn't experience too much of a dropoff this season.     -Muhammad, to me, has one of the safest floors in the class as a cerebral point guard that has already proved that he can play with or against grown men in the EPL as the head of the snake for Mt. Zion Prep. He is so fundamentally-solid, always has a pretty good awareness for where he is on the floor but can also create space with his pivots in the halfcourt. He's also capable of playing off the ball as a knockdown shooter and effective connector on the wings that sees the floor and processes his options pretty quickly on the fly. Want to see him improve his burst with the ball in his hands and get off the floor more quickly to create easier looks for himself at the rim--but I love the foundation of his skillset and believe he is on a consistent upward trajectory as a prospect.     -If there's one thing that Tarawally knows how to do and at a high level--it's how to get buckets. The smooth 3-level scorer plays with a ton of craft in the paint, showing a deep set of scoring moves in the halfcourt but also displaying a real knack for earning trips to the free throw line to finish with efficient scoring outputs. Tarawally understands pace coming off of ball screens and usually is able to catch his matchup off guard with up fakes, spin moves, stepbacks, or retreat dribbles to free himself up for an open look at the rim.     -The dynamic G/W tweener is really starting to put it together at WNA after his reclass and transfer from Mt Carmel. Browne can put the ball on the floor, hit perimeter shots, and is much more adept at playing through contact on his drives to the rim. Love the strides that we've seen from him as a play-maker both off the bounce and from the wings. Think Browne has a ton of upside as a potential 3+D wing prospect that can plug and play with pretty much anyone at the next level.     -Mbuyamba is just so fundamentally solid. The forward prospect has a great set of hands, nice bag of post moves to score off of pivots near the rim, and is an underrated passer from the high post. Love the blend of skill and power on the low block because he's never rushed, Mbuyamba is always decisive and deliberate with his moves around the rim. Mbuyamba also is consistently effective and impactful on the glass at both ends of the floor, showing a soft touch on putbacks that he completes before his feet hit the floor. Should be a big piece for a rebuilding Gonzaga group this year.     -One of the more underrated players in the area, Brooks has been a consistent producer since he stepped foot on the floor last season with Loyola Blakefield. After a coaching change, Brooks transferred into McNamara and has been great for them as a change of pace point guard that can play both on or off the ball because of his feel and shooting ability. Brooks' IQ to know exactly what type of shot his team needs while staying aggressive himself as a scorer is what makes him such a perfect fit for this situation. Think he will win some games for the Mustangs this season due to how well he organizes the troops out there on the floor.

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