2028 Update: Stock-Rising W/Fs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our rankings for the sophomore class yesterday, they can be found <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/updated-2028-maryland-rankings/">here</a>. Today we'll break down a few stock-rising wing/forward prospects that have stood out to our scouts enough to warrant dramatic boosts in their place in our rankings, some that are habitual leaders in production for their teams and others that play a winning brand of basketball that doesn't always show up in the box score. Let's dive in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2880732"],"_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-69690a1e1c8b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 107</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-More prospect than player at the moment, but Tarkang is starting it to put together. Standing at a chiseled 6'4, he is being deployed in the rotation as a switchable defender that can capably guard 3-5 while rebounding at a high clip and serving as a dropoff target for his guards in the paint. The athleticism, lateral movement, and motor really stand out as a prospect that has the upside to develop into a great 3+D wing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2899057"],"_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":3356481,"_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-69690a1e1ca11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: 116</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Great positional size as a G/W tweener on DeMatha's JV squad that impacts the game with his athleticism and diverse skillset. Jackson can guard 2-5 at the JV level, rebound the basketball at a high clip, push the pace in transition, and play above the rim. Interested to track his development over the course of the season to determine if he will be more of a guard or wing down the stretch-- but either way he expect him to work his way into varsity minutes as a 2-way prospect that impacts winning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2548525"],"_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-696921c5e8f27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Standing 6'6 with a plus wingspan, I've liked the progression from Tobias over the course of the past year or so. He's a mobile 3/4 tweener that has really improved his IQ, especially at the defensive end of the floor, with much better timing on his rotations and he's getting great contests at the rim without fouling. Offensively, he is moving much better without the ball--especially after setting a screen off the ball-- to give his teammates a cutter flashing to the rim at the right times. I thought that the shooting form looked more consistent and fluid on his FT attempts. Whether or not he can add those shooting skills while improving his handle to open up his floor game-- will likely determine his ceiling as a prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3070524"],"_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-696921c5e8fa7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: Debut</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Some encouraging flashes from Pochkhua throughout the season as a forward prospect that has been working hard on his ball skills throughout the course of the season. He comes into the game bringing energy on the glass and has a nice set of finishing moves around the basket but he's improved his handle to enable him to get by other forwards to the rim. The shooting ability makes him a nice pick n pop threat within the offense, he just needs to quicken his footwork and vertical leaping to carve out more of a role as a prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3313763"],"_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-69692c0a99382"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: Debut</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A hidden gem that really stood out to our scouts at The Governor's Challenge, Hurd has some nice upside as a young W/F tweener that contributes in several areas for his Long Reach team. Due to a lack of size on the roster- Hurd serves as a lob and roll target for his guards in the paint, finishing well with either hand around the basket while using a series of upfakes to draw fouls. The 3 point and midrange jumper look fluid off the catch, love his shooting mechanics whether he is shooting off of movement or in a set shot. Really intriguing name to track in the 2028 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194754"],"_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-69692c0a993ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Previous Rank: Debut</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Jones unfortunately suffered an injury that will hold him out for the duration of his sophomore year, but our scouts liked what they saw this summer and want to include him as a name to track when he is healthy again this summer. Jones plays with a great motor and uses his frame to score over defenders in and around the paint with a nice bag of finishing moves. Our scouts love the intangibles as a high-character teammate that gives his team a lift and is using the time out to evaluate what he can bring to the team upon his return. If he can extend his range to be a consistent shooter from beyond the arc, he has a chance to rocket up our rankings this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->