Updated 2027 Rankings: NOVA Forwards (Part 1)

We at Prep Hoops VA recently updated our 2027 rankings, expanding over 150 prospects who we feel are ones to watch in the junior class. Here's a look at part one of the forward prospects from the Northern VA area in the rankings.   #10) Matthew Mena | 6'7” C | Paul VI   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-19-at-11.55.23-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-19-at-11.55.23-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2277022" /></a></figure>   Mena has been one of the more underrated players for national powerhouse PVI over the past few years, and he's one of the more unique prospects you will come across with his blend of size, skill and the high motor he plays with. At 6'7” he may not be the tallest but he's big and strong and is willing to bang in the post to rebound with taller opponents, he is a knock down shooter from deep with a quick release and is a big time threat as a trail or a pop man, he runs the floor hard and  gives great effort on both ends of the floor, and he has good feel and a high IQ on both ends too.   #19) Braydon Young | 6'8” PF | Paul VI   Young transferred to PVI this past season and made a big impact for them on their way to another WCAC and State Championship, and he's set to have a big summer when he shows coaches his versatility at his size. The 6'8” lefty is strong and a fluid athlete with the ability to get to the rim and finish through contact, he can stretch the floor from deep and knock down open shots, he moves his feet well defensively and uses his length to challenge and block shots, and he still has a lot of room to improve moving forward.   #45) Daniel Russell | 6'8” C | Potomac School   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Daniel-Russell-crop-1365x897-1760580903.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Daniel-Russell-crop-1365x897-1760580903.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2993428" /></a></figure>   Russell had a big season for Potomac School and he's a super intriguing prospect with a lot of upside, as he's a mix of new and old school when it comes to a two way post player. At 6'8” he  moves well with the ability to run the floor and finish above the rim, he can step out and knock down shots of make passes to cutters on the perimeter, he boxes out well and rebounds on both ends of the floor, and he is willing to post and can finish over both shoulders too.   #50) O'Neal Allottey | 6'8” C | Mount Vernon   When it comes to intriguing upside, there aren't many prospects you'll find in the entire state that have more than Allottey, who was an All Region selection and one of the top bigs in all of NOVA public schools, and he didn't start playing basketball until he was a freshman in high school. At 6'8” he's very coordinated and skilled for a player who has only been playing a few years, he is a good athlete who can play above the rim and attack the glass, he can stretch the floor from deep and can score it it in the midrange, and he is a very good passer for his size as well.   #54) Uzziah Morton | 6'9” C | Bethel Academy   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2025_06-46-07-2880AM.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/eZy-Watermark_20-02-2025_06-46-07-2880AM.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2782177" /></a></figure>   Morton is a player that has a ton of ability now and a lot of upside moving forward, particularly as he continues to improve his body and turn the baby fat into muscle over the next few years. At 6'9” he's an absolute load in the paint and is able to use his size and strength to create space in the post, he has great touch around the rim and can step away and make shots in the midrange and even from deep, and he's surprisingly quick for his size to make moves in the paint.

We at Prep Hoops VA recently updated our 2027 rankings, expanding over 150 prospects who we feel are ones to watch in the junior class. Here's a look at part one of the forward prospects from the Northern VA area in the rankings.