Updated 2028 Rankings: New Faces (Part 2)

We recently updated our 2028 class rankings, looking at 70 of the top sophomores in the state of Virginia. Here's a look at part two of some of the new players that joined the updated rankings.   #27) [player_tooltip player_id='2353610' first='Jayden' last='Betz'] | 6'1” PG | The Saint James   Betz transferred to Saint James from Episcopal where he reclassified to the 2028 class, and he'll have a chance every day to compete and learn from some of the best guards in the DMV and continue to get better. The 6'1” guard is a quick guard who plays with pace and has good burst, he can score the ball in a number of different ways off the catch and off the bounce, and he's a high IQ playmaker who can get his teammates easy shots too.   #32) [player_tooltip player_id='2966230' first='Devan' last='Howe'] | 6'0” PG | Gainesville   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Howe-Devan.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/Howe-Devan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3239105" /></a></figure>   Howe has been a breakout player for a talented Gainesville team, where he fits in perfectly as the floor general who can run the show, control the game and keep his many weapons happy with his playmaking ability. He has great command of the game as he controls the tempo and picks his times to attack, he's very good at making reads out of ball screens, he picks his spots and scores it efficiently from all three levels, and he is a natural leader who is easy to follow.   #35) [player_tooltip player_id='2194771' first='Carter' last='Brooks'] | 6'1” SG | Westfield   Brooks is an uber talented young guard who is sometimes over shined on one of the deepest teams in the DMV, but when he gets his chances he always shows he's one to watch for moving forward. He's a fluid athlete with a quick first step and good speed in transition, he can create space and score the ball from all over, he can move off the ball where he's a knock down shooter and moves well to get open, and he's still growing and only scratching the surface with how good he can be.   #38) [player_tooltip player_id='3336930' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] | 6'0” SG | Robinson   Smith has been a breakout player at Robinson so far this season, even having a 43 point game showing he's one of the top shotmakers you'll come across in this class. The 6'0” two guard is an absolute sniper from deep with effortless range and great form, he can relocate after using pump fakes and can size up defenders and let it fly, he attacks closeouts and is a crafty finisher around the rim, and he knows how to draw contact and get to the line as well.   #44) [player_tooltip player_id='3046782' first='Davis' last='Winters'] | 6'3” SG | Western Albemarle   Winters had a great freshman season for Western and has continued that strong play as a sophomore, and he's the prototype that Western has produced for years as a big guard/wing combo who just knows how to play. He gets to spots effortlessly and uses his size to overpower defenders in the paint or rise over them for easy buckets, he can knock it down from deep on kick-outs and on the move, and he's a very good rebounder who can crash the offensive glass too.   #46) [player_tooltip player_id='2854109' first='Iseral' last='Aeyle'] | 6'4” PF | Independence   Aeyle is an intriguing young prospect for Independence as he usually plays the four or five for them as one of their tallest players, but he also shows signs of being able to move out on the perimeter full time as he continues to develop. Standing 6'4” and likely still growing he's already very strong for his age and is able to bang in the post for rebounds and on post ups, he's really effective stretching the floor with his shooting and creating driving lanes for his guards, and the fact he's an inside-out threat that can score it efficiently makes him a matchup nightmare for most opponents.

We recently updated our 2028 class rankings, looking at 70 of the top sophomores in the state of Virginia. Here's a look at part two of some of the new players that joined the updated rankings.