2029 Rankings Drop: The Bigs Destined To Shake Everything Up

Size, toughness and physicality still win games, and the Class of 2029 is starting to show it has some intriguing young bigs on the rise. From rim protectors and rebound machines to athletic finishers with growing offensive skill, these forwards and centers are flashing major upside early. As they continue to develop, don't be surprised if these names become difference makers and future stars across Colorado hoops.    Diepersloot may have only seen flashes of varsity action as a freshman at Resurrection Christian, but the early AAU season has made it clear his trajectory is pointing way up. At 6'7”, he already brings the size and toughness coaches look for in a true interior presence. He controls the paint, rebounds at a high level and does the dirty work that impacts winning. What's making him even more intriguing is the growth offensively. His footwork, touch around the rim and confidence scoring with his back to the basket continue to improve. As his game keeps expanding and the pace slows down for him, Diepersloot has the tools to become a major breakout name next season     Jackson dominated the junior varsity level for Kent Denver last season, averaging an impressive 20.6 points per game while consistently showing he could take over offensively. With the recent graduation of key seniors and needing size, the 6'5” big looks poised to step into a much bigger role. He has a strong frame, scores with confidence and keeps defenders off balance with polished footwork and smart moves in the post. Jackson understands how to create angles, finish through contact and capitalize around the rim. As he adjusts to varsity speed and physicality, his scoring ability and interior presence give him a real opportunity to make an immediate impact next season     Day got a taste of varsity basketball late in the season at Cherokee Trail, and his play this spring has shown he's ready for much more. He has emerged as one of the more productive bigs on the court thanks to his toughness, motor and ability to consistently impact the game inside. Day plays physical, embraces contact and runs the floor with great energy. Around the basket he shows soft touch and patience, allowing him to finish over defenders and convert tough plays in traffic. His activity level and tempo stand out every time he steps on the floor. With continued development, Day has all the tools to become an important frontcourt piece next season     Land has the physical tools and instincts to develop into a major presence for Mountain Vista over the next few seasons. At 6'5” with long arms and good mobility, he already impacts the game in ways that don't always show up in the box score. He rebounds well, protects the rim and uses his length to disrupt opposing offenses. Defensively his feel for the game stands out. He understands positioning, closes space quickly and makes opponents uncomfortable around the basket. As he continues to add strength and confidence offensively, his ceiling keeps rising. Players with his size, defensive instincts and versatility are hard to find, and Land has the potential to become a difference maker on both ends of the floor     Lobato may still be one of the more unknown names in the group, but the upside is impossible to ignore. The Roosevelt prospect has turned heads during AAU play with his combination of size, athleticism and raw potential. At 6'5”, he plays well above the rim and brings an explosive element that immediately stands out on the floor. Around the basket he does a great job establishing position, catching strong and attacking the rim with confidence and physicality. His athletic tools allow him to finish through contact and make plays others simply can't. As his overall game continues to develop and the experience grows, Lobato has the talent to quickly emerge as a major name to know moving forward     Hartley quickly became one of the more intriguing new names to emerge at the start of the AAU season. At 6'4” with a strong frame, he already brings a physical presence that creates major problems for opponents inside. He plays with force, controls space well and is learning to understand how to use his body to gain positioning around the basket. What stands out most is how comfortable and composed he looks in traffic, showing strong hands and the ability to secure tough catches down low. Hartley is still learning and gaining experience, which makes his upside even more exciting. As he continues to develop his skill set and overall feel this summer, he has the potential to become a very tough matchup moving forward

Size, toughness and physicality still win games, and the Class of 2029 is starting to show it has some intriguing young bigs on the rise. From rim protectors and rebound machines to athletic finishers with growing offensive skill, these forwards and centers are flashing major upside early. As they continue to develop, don't be surprised if these names become difference makers and future stars across Colorado hoops.