Updated 2026 Rankings: Forwards (25-16)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've recently updated our senior class rankings in the state, with over 200 players ranked and plenty of new names and movement throughout the rankings. Here's a look at part one of the top power forwards and centers in the senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>25) [player_tooltip player_id='2548297' first='Gart' last='Heller'] | 6'7” C | Powhatan (#136 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3015486,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/817-Cooper-Baumgart.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/817-Cooper-Baumgart.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3015486" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heller has shown some of the most improvement of any player in the Richmond area over the past year or so, and he's primed for a big senior season for a Powhatan team that could surprise some teams this year. Heller got his body right and and is moving very well as he's running the floor and cutting with purpose, he has good hands and feet in the paint, he can finish with both hands around the rim, and he gives a great effort on both ends of the floor too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>24) [player_tooltip player_id='2175333' first='Mannie' last='Villegas'] | 6'7” C | Benedictine (#107 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Villegas is another guy who has improved quite a bit over the past few years, and he had a great summer with Local Legends where he showed a lot of improvement in his timing and coordination among other things. He got his body right and is now running the floor better and playing above the rim easier, he has good touch both around the rim and has improved in his ability to stretch the floor, and his length and athleticism makes him a very good rim protector too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>23) Marjaylen Jackson | 6'6” C | Albemarle (#87 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2874088,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson had a huge junior season helping lead Albemarle to the VHSL Class 5 state championship game, and when it comes to consistent production there aren't many bigs in the state you'll find that are better than him at that. He's an absolute load in the paint and knows how to use his body to clear out space, he has excellent footwork and is patient using fakes and spins to get open, he has fantastic touch with both hands around the rim, and he's very consistent from the free throw line as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>22) [player_tooltip player_id='2459215' first='Gavin' last='Kay'] | 6'8” C | Hampton (#85 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2915778,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageqCnuwu-crop-3257x2139-1753501761.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/tempImageqCnuwu-crop-3257x2139-1753501761.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2915778" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kay was highly intriguing when he was younger, but decided to pick up football and it looks like that will be his future, but regardless he would be a scholarship level player and is one of the top bigs in the 757. The 6'8” big man is a good athlete who can get up and down the floor and plays above the rim with ease, he attacks the glass hard on the offensive end for put backs, he can finish around the rim, and he's even capable of taking defenders out on the perimeter and working off the bounce to get downhill too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>21) [player_tooltip player_id='2252300' first='Darius' last='Gray'] | 6'6” C | St. Chris (#82 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is one of the top offensive linemen in the country as he's committed to South Carolina, but for the past three seasons he's also been an absolute menace on the basketball court too. He's very unique as he has a game you wouldn't expect as a 6'6” load of a big man with his ability to handle the ball against the press and use his size to get it over, he is a terrific passer with great vision, he can score it both in the paint and stretch the floor, and his mix of physicality and patience along with his IQ allows him to be an absolute mismatch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>20) [player_tooltip player_id='1542852' first='Ethan' last='Apergis'] | 6'8” C | Episcopal (#78 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2845549,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apergis has really come along in the last few years, and he's part of an Episcopal group that will be a tough out for anyone in the DMV with their balance across the board, and his presence in the paint is a big reason as well. He has great footwork and touch with both hands in the paint and works well with his back to the basket, he can space the floor and knock down shots from deep, he's surprisingly nimble and athletic in the paint, and he brings a great motor and toughness to his team as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>19) [player_tooltip player_id='2896563' first='Pavlos' last='Zougris'] | 6'8” PF | Blue Ridge (#74 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3074793,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/Zougris-Pavious.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/Zougris-Pavious.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3074793" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zougris is a new addition to a Blue Ridge front court that was already one of the best in the state, and he's going to give them a lineup that is very tough to matchup with elite size and a group that all compliment each other well. Zougris brings a physical presence in the paint on both ends of the floor as he isn't afraid to bang on the defensive end and boxes out well, he has soft touch around the rim and can step out to the elbows as well, he is a good post defender who walls up and doesn't let players catch it deep in the paint, and he seems like he's just scratching the surface with how good he will be moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18) [player_tooltip player_id='2347788' first='Merrick' last='Rillstone'] | 6'7” PF | South Lakes (#73 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rillstone has been a big part of South Lakes' success the last few years including their state championship last season, and he's the type of player that causes absolute nightmares for opposing coaches when they're making their game plan. The 6'7” big man is able to run the floor and handle the ball in transition like he's a guard or a wing, he can isolate defenders on the perimeter where he can knock down shots and take guys off the bounce, he can post smaller defenders and is a good rebounder, and he is a versatile defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17) Jisiah Bryant | 6'6” PF | Liberty Christian (#64 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2963629,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryant has been an All State selection the last two season for LCA, and Randolph-Macon did what they do as they got an absolute steal in a guy who can make an immediate impact in the ODAC and still has a ton of room to get better as well. He's one of the stronger players you will come across and he's not afraid to use his strength to clear out space in the paint to finish or to rebound, he can run the floor and is an explosive athlete when he gets downhill, he can handle it and take defenders off the bounce in the half court, and he can knock down open shots from deep as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16) [player_tooltip player_id='2575694' first='Chris' last='Rochester'] | 6'7” PF | Virginia Academy (#63 Overall)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rochester is really starting to come into his own as a late bloomer just like his brother, and he's set to have a huge senior season as one of the biggest mismatch threats you'll find in the NOVA area. At 6'7” with long arms Rochester is able to guard multiple positions and challenge shots both on the perimeter and at the rim, he can play on the perimeter both as a catch-and-shoot guy and he has the ability to put it on the deck and create shots for himself and others, and he can play anywhere from the 3-5 and give his team multiple looks as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->