Updated 2029 Rankings: Risers Inside the Top 40

Our updated 2029 rankings went live earlier this afternoon and Aaron broke down some changes within our top-10. I kick things off by highlighting some of the stock risers, specifically the ones who were already in the top-40 our just outside that played their way into the range with impressive freshman seasons.    Nunez jumps five spots into the top-3 after a deserving freshman campaign playing in an extremely tough schedule that included The Grind Session against some of the best bigs in the country. He took his punches, but what was most impressive was the consistence out of his response. He never let a big play negatively impact his effort. In fact, he'd typically respond with a big play of his own. He has one of the more impressive competitive motors regardless of class and never backed down to a challenge around the rim even if that meant being on the wrong end of a poster. It was only a matter of possessions before the vicious, 6-foot-7 threw down one of his own on the offensive end. He rebounds out of his area extremely well, can move his feet in space on switches and is a willing communicator. Coming into the season, Nunez's jumper was a big question mark, but now as the dust settles on his freshman season, it was one of the more improved aspects of his skillset. Endless upside here.     Oyekan is a prospect that got on our radar early this season due to his productivity in a handful of statistical categories. Sometimes with these sort of prospects, you arrive at the game and end up being a little underwhelmed. That certainly wasn't the case with Oyekan. We actually were exposed to more athletic pop than film offered, which was hard to believe. His ability to make plays above the rim as a freshman jump out to you, but it was his willingness to impact both ends with confidence that drew us in even further. Some of his offensive game is still a work in progress, but the foundation is extremely intriguing and as the season progressed, he showed instincts as an off-ball threat, a hustle guy generating second chance opportunities and serving as a major piece of Laurel's success puzzle. He finished the year averaging 17.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.0 stocks (steals + blocks) and 1.3 assists per game.     Potter's role grew significantly as the year went on. If you ask me, it was a combination of him learning to adjust to the speed and physicality of the varsity level while simultaneously playing his way into shape. He's a big body at 6-foot-8 with dependable mitts and soft touch on over the shoulder hooks or quick floaters off dump-offs. He progressed as a rebounder and understanding how to use his leverage to win battles against more athletic, springy bigs. His mobility, like other aspects of his game, improved with time as did his intent to rim-run and embrace contact while finishing.     Tchoubfong is a heck of a physical presence on the wing that can slide to either the 4 or 5 position as well and battle with guys who stand 4-to-5 inches taller with his strength and understanding of leverage. The jump shot was hit or miss, but when Tchoubfong established a driving lane, there were few defenders that could step in his way and absorb his contact while remaining in legal guarding position. Plenty of improvement here with one of the more underrated freshman who is primed for a big spring/summer.     Branch is someone who thrived at the junior varsity level to a point where on multiple occasions, forced us to arrive a few hours before the varsity tip-off and track his development. He poses good size for a wing along with a fluidity as a scorer that very pleasing to watch. He gets to spot in minimal bounces, covers ground on his rips and can rise over his defender in the mid-range while converting at an efficient clip. The plus length, understanding in how to score from different levels and the defensive upside all went into his 8-spot rise into the top-35. He'll be one to monitor this spring/summer with [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'] 15s.

Our updated 2029 rankings went live earlier this afternoon and Aaron broke down some changes within our top-10. I kick things off by highlighting some of the stock risers, specifically the ones who were already in the top-40 our just outside that played their way into the range with impressive freshman seasons.