2027 Under the Radar Group 3 Forward Prospects to Track

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first full week of December is half over, meaning the new high school basketball season is around the corner. Group 3 might contain some of the bigger public schools in the state, but they contain some of the more under the radar prospects in the state. Here are the 2027 under the radar forward prospects to track.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2858263' first='Zach' last='Derstine'], 6'11 PF Wayne Valley</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Derstine can play either the four or the five, making him an intriguing prospect to watch in the class. The 6'11 post swats almost everything around the basket and skies for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Derstine can also get position in the post and has a nice touch around the rim. He sets strong screens in the half court and is an underrated passer out of the post. Derstine is a lanky post prospect whose ability to control the paint is something that will raise his stock throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2872788' first='Henry' last='Ngoja'], 6'7 PF Westampton Tech</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ngoja had a strong 2024-25 season and should have an even bigger 2025-26 season. The 6'7 forward has a good touch around the basket and is unafraid of drawing contact. Ngoja runs the floor hard, setting himself up for easy baskets in transition. He is a force on the boards and uses his length to influence shots around the rim. Ngoja is a physical forward prospect who should fill up the box score during the winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2384280' first='RJ' last='Blake'], 6'6 SF Northern Highlands</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blake has the potential to play either spot on the wing, making him an intriguing prospect to track in the class. The 6'6 wing uses his handle to get to his spot on the floor and knows how to finish around the rim. Blake can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He has the length to defend multiple positions on the floor and is an underrated passer. Blake is a lanky wing prospect who should impact the game at both ends of the floor throughout the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2619587' first='Justin' last='Valentino'], 6'2 SF Red Bank Regional</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valentino might be an undersized wing, but that won't stop him from making plays on the hardwood. The 6'2 wing attacks the basket with a purpose and rarely forces shots in the half court. Valentino is more than just a slasher as he has a nice release and sets his feet before he shoots. He works hard on the defensive end and can find his open teammates in the half court. Valentino is a gritty wing prospect who should stretch the floor and defend the ball is something that will help his stock over the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2822481' first='Javon' last='Baker'], 6'2 PF Rahway</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker has the potential to have a breakout season as he should get more touches on the offensive end. The 6'2 forward has a good first step, which he uses to get into the lane and can also score in the mid-range. Baker can also knock down open jumpers from behind the arc and sets his feet before he shoots. He fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor and is an underrated defender. Baker is a tough forward prospect whose ability to score in the paint is something that will help his development over the next couple of months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->