The 2028 Takeover: Rising Juniors Rewriting the Scouting Report

As the rankings have undergone some serious construction with the 2025-2026 campaign closing up, a handful of hoopers have taken their game to brand new heights. Varying from guards who blow by their matchups to bigs who assert their dominance in the paint, improvement has been cemented over the course of this season. It's time to shout out some 2028 ballers who've differentiated themselves from the competition in their respective class. Let's talk about it.    [player_tooltip player_id='2531917' first='Jordan' last='Ulmer'] has transcended his scoring from tacking on just 10 PPG his freshman year to an astounding near 18 PPG his sophomore season. Ulmer is seeing new career highs across the board, making night and day changes to his rebounding and assist totals. The 6'3 all-star has handles on a string and impressive court vision that he implements to lead Fountain-Fort Carson with confidence. His gargantuan improvement marks a significant difference in the way he approaches the game. Ulmer is heading into the summer with a new wave of swagger, and I'd expect him to take on even bigger roles during the second half of his high school tenure.     [player_tooltip player_id='2467733' first='Champ' last='Spears'] is a guy I've been heavy on since he first entered the high school scene, becoming a pivotal piece of the puzzle for a thriving Chaparral squad that went all the way to the final four in this year's playoffs. Playing alongside bucket-getters such as [player_tooltip player_id='1722623' first='Christian' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2048132' first='Luke' last='Howery'], Spears doesn't have a shortage of options he can dish the rock to. Spears plays with an immense amount of poise that allows him to make the right decisions on the fly, and has earned him 12 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 3.4 APG on the season. A proven knockdown sniper from distance, defenders will pay a huge price for leaving Spears open beyond the arc. Featuring a smooth touch around the rim and a high volume of scoring, Spears has established himself as one of the top premier guards the box state has to offer as only a rising junior.     [player_tooltip player_id='2530560' first='Malachi' last='Egbuji'] has refined his play style and adapted to tougher defenses as his role at Fossil Ridge continues to grow and expand. The giant big man knows how to manipulate defenses with his attention to detail and concise footwork. Averaging nearly 13.7 PPG, a massive uprising from 7.3 PPG his freshman year, improvement is inevitable for Egbuji. While his rebounding and defense should be the focal point of his offseason, Egbuji has all the tools he needs to become a star in due time. With this heavy amount of production and reliability from coaches, he'll be the emphasis that every opposing coach wants to stop in the future.     [player_tooltip player_id='2381951' first='Clayton' last='Kalimba'] finished his sophomore campaign as Eaglecrest's third-leading scorer with nearly 12 PPG, alongside 4 RPG and 1.5 APG. Kalimba is a complete hooper who has fine-tuned every aspect of his game. At 6'2, Kalimba can shoot over his matchup with ease, never afraid to pull the quick trigger off the release. Kalimba has elevated his defense immensely, communicating often and efficiently among his teammates while switching screens seamlessly. The #8-ranked combo guard in 2028 has risen up the rankings fast, and I don't see this slowing down anytime soon.     [player_tooltip player_id='2381955' first='Jeremiah' last='Shortis'] established himself as a high-impact sophomore for the Cougars this season, providing a steady interior presence and defensive grit. The 6'5" forward finished the year with 8.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG, and 0.9 BPG. His efficiency was a season-long highlight, as he led the team with a60% field goal percentage and finished among the top four shot-blockers in the Centennial League. Shortis delivered several breakout performances that distinguished him as a solidified star. Shortis' defensive versatility and reliable scoring helped anchor the Cougars through a competitive schedule, cementing his status as one of the premier young guys Colorado has to offer.

As the rankings have undergone some serious construction with the 2025-2026 campaign closing up, a handful of hoopers have taken their game to brand new heights. Varying from guards who blow by their matchups to bigs who assert their dominance in the paint, improvement has been cemented over the course of this season. It's time to shout out some 2028 ballers who've differentiated themselves from the competition in their respective class. Let's talk about it.