2028 Rankings Update: Stockrisers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. In this article we will break down a few of our stockrisers from this rankings update. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2621950"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690b8f022e2f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 33</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sulaiman is a lot for opponents to handle as a physical, dynamic lead guard prospect. The southpaw stepped up when a few backcourt teammates were out with injury at The Challenge and showed what he can do as a scoring point guard that can fill it up from all 3 levels. He hit shots off the bounce, got to the rim at will, earned several trips to the FT line, and showed his tenacity at both ends of the floor. Offensively- he is dishing out the pain with physical drives to the rim while defensively he bumps his matchup off their driving lanes to the rim while forcing a ton of turnovers and dribble pickups. Should be one of the better guards in the MIAA this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194760"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690b8f022e34f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 44</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Word is a shifty floor general that continues to ascend our rankings as a point guard that really manipulates the defense with his eyes. Word is great at creating space for himself in the halfcourt but is even better at creating advantage opportunities by blowing past his matchup and waiting for the last second to throw a bounce pass to an open teammate after the helper commits to cut off his drive. Believe he is a more explosive athlete and better scorer than most give him credit for but I think that will change this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2353638"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690b8f022e39d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 81</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-McLinton transferred in this summer and has proved his worth as a change of pace guard that can thrive both on and off the ball. McLinton can put the ball on the floor, knocks down open perimeter looks, serves as a great connector from the wings, and is an underrated on-ball defender. Interested to see if he ends up growing a little bit more but even if he doesn't- he has the scoring craft and ball-handling to entice college coaches. Want to see him develop into a pitbull point of attack defender this season as Bullis will need to generate more turnovers to ignite their fastbreak with several starters graduating to the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2731358"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690b8f022e3e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 73</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of the best kept secrets in the DMV, I've really enjoyed watching Farmer's skill development over the past year as he is turning into a much more consistent finisher in the paint. The area that Farmer really provides value in right now is at the defensive end of the floor. Farmer has great footwork, can block shots both on or off the ball, and stays down for shot fakes. Really interested in seeing how he is used in the rotation for a Spalding team that should be among the favorites to win the BCL and MIAA this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2880748"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3041875,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690b8f022e44b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 95</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-One of our biggest movers of the cycle, our writers are really high on Shields' long term upside as a prospect. His skill base is pretty diverse at this stage in his career. Shields can put the ball on the floor, has made huge strides as a shooter off the catch, gets off the floor very quickly, and can finish plays above the rim. Shields is a fluid athlete that gives his team a ton of lineup flexibility as a wing prospect that can feasibly guard 1-4 at the HS level. Really excited to see how he is used this season as a dynamic play-finisher on the wing that can impact the game in several different areas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->