2028 Under-the-Radar 804 Guys to Watch (Pt. 2)

The 804's 2028 class is already showing serious promise. While some names are beginning to gain traction, there's another group quietly building strong foundations. They are producing, developing, and positioning themselves for long-term success.   At this stage, it's less about hype and more about projection. Who has the frame? Who has the motor? Who has the skill set that translates as the game speeds up?   This group checks a lot of those boxes.   Here are four under-the-radar 2028 prospects in the 804 who deserve attention moving forward.    Dizru Utah was one of the biggest stock-risers in the 804 this season — and for good reason.   At 6'5”, he brings versatility that immediately stands out. Utah is a forward/wing hybrid who handles the ball extremely well for his size. He plays with confidence, attacks downhill using his strong frame, and finishes through contact at the rim.   What makes him even more intriguing is his defensive versatility. He can guard multiple positions and has shown the ability to battle bigger players without backing down. His physicality and motor allow him to compete in different matchups, which gives coaches lineup flexibility.   Offensively, he's a well-rounded scorer with a developing jump shot and the ability to create in space. He already has a college-ready body as a sophomore. As he continues to add strength and refine his skill set, his ceiling rises even higher.   Utah is a name to track closely over the next couple of years.     [player_tooltip player_id='2918931' first='Jarrell' last='Hurt'] brings physicality to the paint every time he steps on the floor.   A strong, dominant interior presence, Hurt rebounds at a high rate and finishes through contact consistently. He embraces physical play and establishes deep position early, making him tough to contain on the block.   What's encouraging is how well he moves for his size. He's not just a stationary big — he runs the floor and competes on both ends. His mobility paired with his strength gives him intriguing long-term upside.   Hurt was a key piece for Henrico this season and continues to trend upward. As he refines his footwork, his potential grows. By expanding his offensive game, he could become one of the more impactful bigs in the class.   He's a name that coaches and evaluators will want to become familiar with sooner rather than later.     [player_tooltip player_id='2960264' first='RJ' last='Mickleberry'] is a versatile guard who impacts the game in multiple ways.   He's a strong multi-level scorer. What stands out most is his ability to create with the ball in his hands. Mickleberry is crafty. He keeps the ball on a string. He does an excellent job changing speeds to keep defenders off balance.   He plays under control and understands when to attack and when to facilitate. He is versatile and can defend multiple positions. He uses his length well to generate deflections and disrupt passing lanes.   RJ competes defensively. He takes pride in that end of the floor. This quality separates guards at a young age. As he continues to add strength and confidence, his ability to control games from the perimeter will only grow.   He's a well-rounded prospect with strong long-term potential.     [player_tooltip player_id='2918958' first='Elijah' last='Haughton'] is a high-upside forward whose physical tools immediately jump out.   Elijah comes from a strong athletic background. His older brother plays Division I football. Elijah brings that same physicality and toughness onto the basketball court. He rebounds extremely well, protects the rim, and finishes effectively inside.   He saw quality minutes on a young Benedictine squad and showed flashes of what he can become. His size and athleticism give him a high ceiling, especially as his skill level continues to develop.   Haughton's ability to defend, block shots, and play through contact makes him valuable right now. However, his long-term growth is what makes him particularly intriguing. With further development, he can play a more significant role. He has the tools to become an important part of Benedictine's puzzle in the coming years.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h3>   The 2028 class in the 804 is deeper than it appears on the surface. Utah's versatility indicates a promising potential. Hurt dominates the interior. Mickleberry excels in guard play. Haughton shows an impressive upside. This all points to a group that is just scratching the surface.   Development is everything at this stage — and each of these prospects has a strong foundation to build on.   As they continue to mature physically, their skill levels also increase. Don't be surprised if these under-the-radar names become central figures in the 804's next wave of talent.

The 804's 2028 class is already showing serious promise. While some names are beginning to gain traction, there's another group quietly building strong foundations. They are producing, developing, and positioning themselves for long-term success.