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2029 Rankings Update: Potential Breakout Stars

2029 Rankings Update: Potential Breakout Stars
Steve Quattrocchi
Steve Quattrocchi May 31, 2026 @ 10:22 AM
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In this article:

JD Hayes
JD Hayes 6'7" | PF/SF | 2029
KY
Benton Wheeldon
Benton Wheeldon 6'3" | CG/SG | 2029
KY
Toma “Jelly” Washington
Toma “Jelly” Washington 6'1" | SF/SG | 2029
KY
John Bowling
John Bowling 6'2" | C/PF | 2029
KY
Gage Horn
Gage Horn 6'1" | CG | 2029
KY
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's still super early in their careers but the 2029 class have now had a full high school season as well as half of their 15u AAU seasons under their belts. There are still plenty of new names emerging and we even had a top 10 player transfer into the state since the last update. Here's a look at some players ranked outside the top 40 who could have breakout seasons over the next calendar year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2851901"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1c5238ab389"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Washington is a high level scorer that can use an array of moves to get into the paint and finishes well when he gets there. He's got to continue improving his three point shooting in the long term and point guard may be the best natural position for him. Capable of guarding his man on the defensive end, Jelly is a player to keep an eye on in the 11th region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2897227"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1c5238ab3da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wheeldon really impressed me last summer and fall in multiple viewings but didn't get a lot of PT at Logan County this past season. Looking to his Sophomore year, Benton could average double figures for the Cougars. A good shooter and hard worker, Wheeldon could be a rising star in the 4th region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2983289"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1c5238ab404"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hayes had a tumultuous freshman season where he went from summer ball with Scott County to Montgomery County to Morgan County and now back to Montgomery. Assuming he settles in at MoCo, JD should have an opportunity to flourish. With his size at 6'7" and his ability to shoot the ball and attack off the bounce, Hayes could be a matchup nightmare for opponents in the 10th. Certainly a name to keep up with, long term.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2372715"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1c5238ab429"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Horn missed his entire freshman season after an injury but will look to reclaim his status as a top kid in the class. Gage is a bully guard who knows how to get paint touches and can finish through contact. He should be back on the court for his Sophomore campaign and will likely make an impact for Montgomery County during summer basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2833037"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1c5238ab44e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Model lost a ton of production to graduation and lost their coach shortly after the season, too. That should open quite a bit of opportunity for Bowling as a Sophomore. Look for him to make a big jump over the next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

It's still super early in their careers but the 2029 class have now had a full high school season as well as half of their 15u AAU seasons under their belts. There are still plenty of new names emerging and we even had a top 10 player transfer into the state since the last update. Here's a look at some players ranked outside the top 40 who could have breakout seasons over the next calendar year.

Toma “Jelly” Washington

Toma “Jelly” Washington

KY
SF/SG
HEIGHT 6'1"
POS SF/SG
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
Toma
“Jelly” Washington SF/SG
Class
2029
Height
6'1"
HS
Frankfort
|
KY
2029 Rankings Update: Potential Breakout Stars
Washington is a high level scorer that can use an array of moves to get into the paint...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Toma “Jelly” Washington

Instagram
State: Kentucky
School: Frankfort
Club: Ky Future Elite
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Benton Wheeldon

Benton Wheeldon

KY
CG/SG
HEIGHT 6'3"
POS CG/SG
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
Benton
Wheeldon CG/SG
Class
2029
Height
6'3"
HS
Logan County
|
KY
2029 Rankings Update: Potential Breakout Stars
Wheeldon really impressed me last summer and fall in multiple viewings but didn’t get a lot of PT...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Benton Wheeldon

Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Logan County
Club: Midwest Basketball Club Grassroots
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

JD Hayes

JD Hayes

KY
PF/SF
HEIGHT 6'7"
POS PF/SF
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
JD
Hayes PF/SF
Class
2029
Height
6'7"
HS
Montgomery County
|
KY
2029 Rankings Update: Potential Breakout Stars
Hayes had a tumultuous freshman season where he went from summer ball with Scott County to Montgomery County...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

JD Hayes

State: Kentucky
School: Montgomery County
Club: Kentucky Basketball Club Pro 16
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Gage Horn

Gage Horn

KY
CG
HEIGHT 6'1"
POS CG
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
Gage
Horn CG
Class
2029
Height
6'1"
HS
Montgomery County
|
KY
2029 Rankings Update: Potential Breakout Stars
Horn missed his entire freshman season after an injury but will look to reclaim his status as a...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

Gage Horn

Instagram Twitter
State: Kentucky
School: Montgomery County
Club: Ky Future Elite
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

John Bowling

John Bowling

KY
C/PF
HEIGHT 6'2"
POS C/PF
CLASS 2029
View Player
​
John
Bowling C/PF
Class
2029
Height
6'2"
HS
Model
|
KY
2029 Rankings Update: Potential Breakout Stars
Model lost a ton of production to graduation and lost their coach shortly after the season, too. That...
Written by Steve Quattrocchi
Read more at PrepHoops.com
Prep Hoops

John Bowling

State: Kentucky
School: Model
Club: Ky Future Elite
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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