New to the Mix: 2028 Names That Earned Their Spot

Every rankings drop brings a few surprises, and this year is no different. Some of these names weren't getting much attention not long ago, but over the course of the season, they kept showing up, producing, and making it harder to overlook them. As the 2028 update rolls out, this group represents the players who made that jump from outside the conversation to firmly in it.    Guy has shown himself to be a proven winner with two state titles already under his belt, and this year he was even more than that as he stepped into a larger role and delivered as a consistent scoring option. At 6'3, he brings size and assertiveness on the perimeter, knocking down shots at a high clip with confident shot selection and range. Guy spaces the floor; he was the team's second leading scorer, and he also got to his spots and put pressure on the rim. He's a physical player who makes winning plays, and his impact goes beyond the box score, but he even lit it up there. He's a new name that's on the rankings and at a prove-it-to-us spot.     Jenkins burst onto the scene this season, establishing himself as a confident shot-maker with the freedom to create and operate, and his team put the ball in his hands to allow him to do it. He scored in double figures in 13 of the games for Vanguar,d and he put up 9.9 points a game to go along with it. He showed the ability to heat up quickly, using pace and shot creation to keep defenses off balance, and attacked from the perimeter. Jenkins also flashed three-level scoring potential while consistently producing in key stretches. He also got off to a hot start for the summer, where he put us on notice of what's to come. With growing confidence and offensive responsibility, Jenkins is trending toward becoming a true go-to option moving forward, and that is why he made the rankings for the first time.     Jones is a versatile 6'3 wing who made his mark this season as a steady presence who impacts the game with feel and unselfish play. He also operates as a secondary creator with strong vision, and that kept the offense flowing and allowed them to play freely. He put up 8.9 points a game while knocking down the occasional 3-pointer, but they put the ball in his hands and let him go, and he made plays for others. He put up a team-high 3.9 assists per game as the team's facilitator. He's unselfish and versatile, and his value lies in his IQ and facilitation. Jones plays within himself, elevates teammates, and brings a winning approach that translates to consistent team success, and that is why he's now on the rankings and radar. Big year for him.     Ast stood out in every way this year as he's a physically imposing 6'8 forward. He made it impossible to ignore his production as an interior force who continued to make plays. He plays with a strong motor, controls the glass, and finishes through contact with touch around the rim. He has good footwork on the block and capitalizes on second-chance opportunities on misses. He used his size to his advantage for rebounds and points in the paint. He averaged 16 points and 11.5 rebounds this year and made a massive jump. He's a hidden gem who can make some noise moving forward. We just have to see him a bit more against top guys in the class and see how good he really is. His play got him on the list.     Brooks is a rare Colorado player as he's a 7-footer with intriguing upside. He continues to show steady progression with each outing, and it was only a matter of time until we got eyes on him. Well, he's popped as he moves well for his size and brings coordination that allows him to impact both ends of the floor. Brooks uses his length to rebound and finish inside while flashing defensive instincts as a rim protector. He's still developing physically and skill-wise, but the trajectory is clear. He's a long-term prospect whose growth and tools make him a name to monitor closely, as he can go in as one of the state's best very soon.     Harvey was one of the few underclassmen who got to play for Regis this season, and this was a year of growth for him. But when he did get to be on the floo,r there were flashes. He can play and does the little things. He rebounds well, he scores when he gets the opportunity, and he understands where to be on the floor. This was a glue guy type of year where he had to make his mark in small spurts, but he got to understand the game. Harvey earned minutes this season by understanding his role, and to start grassroots, he got to show that he could be a big-time scorer when needed. He has good size, he's strong and flourishes offensively, but also has defensive chops, and I'm excited to see what he looks like by summer's end. He certainly earned his spot in the rankings.

Every rankings drop brings a few surprises, and this year is no different. Some of these names weren't getting much attention not long ago, but over the course of the season, they kept showing up, producing, and making it harder to overlook them. As the 2028 update rolls out, this group represents the players who made that jump from outside the conversation to firmly in it.