From Under the Radar to On the Board: 2028 Movers

Some players wait their turn, others get to it and force the issue. That's what this group did. Over the course of the season, they didn't just flash; they showed enough to change how they're viewed and helped lead their teams to victory. As we roll out the 2028 rankings update, these are the names that moved themselves out of the watch list and into the mix by simply producing when it mattered.   Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access as we're going through rankings and preparing you for grassroots season. You don't want to miss any of our scouting.    Gordon is a dynamic scorer who forced their way onto the rankings after being on the watch list, and a big reason for that push was his production for the past two seasons. Gordon is a confident shot maker with three-level scoring ability, and he applies pressure with quick bursts and instincts on both ends. We didn't see much of him, but his stats are undeniable. This season, he dominated. He was named to the 3A 2nd team all-state team after putting up 19.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 steals a game, which was really impressive. We want to see more of him moving forward and for him to get out and prove that he belongs. He jumps from the watch list to higher on the rankings with his play.     Stewart's rise was fueled by his ability to impact winning in multiple ways, especially during a strong playoff run where he consistently delivered in key moments. Stewart is a true connector; he plays with feel and pace, facilitating offense while contributing across the stat sheet. He turned heads this year, but certainly stood out in the playoff run, where he continued to make big play after big play. To begin the playoff run, he looked like a player to build around and made big plays. On the season, he filled up the box score, putting up 7.1 points, 4.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals a game. He did a bit of everything for the team and was a catalyst. His all-around motor and IQ make him a reliable piece trending upward, and that is why he's now on the rankings from the watch list.     [player_tooltip player_id='2831628' first='Mike' last='Martinez'] jumped on the scene and emerged as a bright spot for Ponderosa. Martinez has a well-rounded game with his ability to score at all three levels. He's a confident player and got into a groove to close out the season, where he looked like one of the promising players in the class. Martinez put up 11.8 points and 2.7 rebounds a game. He also had 2.3 assists and had two steals a game to go along with it. He was the best two-way option on the team, showing signs of being a go-to guy and playmaker for the team. His two-way impact and ability to contribute on any given night despite being the focal point for opposing teams puts him in a great spot to make the jump from the watch list to the rankings this go round, and we're excited to see what else there is to his game.     Bote came into the season and showed that he worked on his game in the offseason and came into the year as a different player. He had his moments where he looked unstoppable, and we saw that when he exploded for 15+ points on multiple occasions and even finished off the season with a 22-point performance where he tried to keep the season alive. Bote filled it up as he averaged 11.6 points a game and showed he could impact the game in various ways. He put up 2.7 steals a game and also had 3.7 rebounds a game as well. He's an impactful player who is an X-factor, and we want to see more of him moving forward. He makes his rankings debut after a solid sophomore season.     Noel carved out a role on a high-level team by doing the little things, but his upside points to something bigger moving forward. Noel made the most of his minutes and showed himself to be a glue guy. He will return as the team's leading scorer, and Windsor will be a young and talented group that will run through him moving forward. He's shown flashes of being one of the more intriguing players in the class, as he has good size, he's strong, and can really shoot the ball. We love what we saw from him to begin the summer, and he is my pick for the conference's surprise player of the year. He's now on the rankings from the watch list and is a player I think will certainly rise by summer's end.     Rockwood's development throughout the season showed a guard growing into a more assertive playmaking role. He's comfortable with the ball in his hands, and he operates with great feel, making reads and keeping the offense organized. Rockwood showed progress as a shooter, knocking down perimeter looks with confidence, while using his handle to create space. As his aggression increases, his ability to control tempo and impact games continues to trend upward, and we hope to see more of him this summer.

Some players wait their turn, others get to it and force the issue. That's what this group did. Over the course of the season, they didn't just flash; they showed enough to change how they're viewed and helped lead their teams to victory. As we roll out the 2028 rankings update, these are the names that moved themselves out of the watch list and into the mix by simply producing when it mattered.