Spring Rankings Update: 2028 Stock-Risers

After their sophomore seasons, the price most certainly went up for a number of prospects in the 2028 class. Here are five who rose the most in the rankings:    During his season-long introduction to the Delaware basketball landscape, McKnight had one of the most productive seasons in the state (regardless of position or class) and led the Bucs back to the tournament. Rebounds and steals were the keys to his success. Sub 6'2, he regularly finished games with double-digit rebounds due to his instincts on the glass. McKnight demonstrated good instincts as a defender too; jumping passes, catching players off-guard with back-taps, and shooting his hands for deflections. His ability to get where he wanted wasn't far behind. Whether it was versus a set defense or on a fastbreak, he fluidly weaved his way to the rim or stopped just shy for floaters or middies.     The literal centerpiece for the Lions' offense and defense, Haley was downright dominant. The quiet feet and pop in his hands that will make him a highly sought-after offensive tackle are visible in how he patrols the paint. When his sheer size isn't enough to keep others from entering, Haley sending a couple shots out of bounds usually does the job. But for someone as physical as he is, he didn't have to use a ton of brute force against Red Lion's competition. Whether he was grabbing a board and going up for a putback or going to work in the low post, Haley showed touch around the rim, with multiple defenders hacking away at him. If he gets too tall for football, he absolutely has the potential to hoop in college and he still has room to develop.     After playing in spurts as a freshman, Thompson became a fixture in the team's core. He could slide his feet just enough but he was a brick wall on defense, intrinsically deterring drives at the rim and snatching up any rebound in his vicinity. On the other end, he was the hub of the Bulldogs' offense. With a pure point guard on the floor, Laurel would play through Thompson from different spots on the floor. They'd get him the ball on the low block, which would either let him exploit a mismatch for a layup or make the defense collapse on him and open up passing windows. Thompson would also operate from the high post and the top of the key where he would knock down jumpers or set other people up to score.     He didn't get off the ground instantly but Mukwele brought some force with him when he went up for rebounds and finished at the rim. Although he didn't start games, he often closed them because he didn't need the ball to be effective. Mukwele defended bigger, more mature players in the post without giving up ground or conceding any space. He boxed out and cleaned the glass with his sneaky agility. Then, when he got the occasional post touch, Mukwele would hit his defender with a quick move for two points. As he continues to add to his game and reshape his body, he will rise up the rankings even more.     Evaluating and projecting Esser to the next level might just be a thought experiment but he made notable improvements during his sophomore campaign. The first guard off the bench, he brought a variety of valuable skills to each and every lineup. Esser could spell Sallies' starting PG and run the offense or play with him as a connector and floor spacer. His offensive versatility was emboldened by his defensive impact. With solid height for the position, smooth footwork and a strong core, Esser matched up well with some of the best guards on Sallies' schedule.

After their sophomore seasons, the price most certainly went up for a number of prospects in the 2028 class. Here are five who rose the most in the rankings: