2028 Rankings: You Can't Teach That

While basketball has become more skill blessed and opened the door for different avenues to reach the next level, the game is still played on 10 foot tall rims. The court is 94 foot long. Necessitating the need for height and athleticism. The class of 2028 has prospects who fit that bill with a deep list of players with amazing natural gifts. And it turns out quite a few of them are skilled as well.    Smith is bouncy and fearless. Plays the game with the approach that every rebound is his. At the start of each game, can go ahead and pencil at least six points into the box score for him. aAs he's going to putbacks (often dunks) and get served up transition oops. Motor, athleticism, toughness and attention to detail will get Smith's foot into the door for the next level. And those traits should also help him stick at whatever program is lucky enough to secure his services.   The next six months will be an interesting to see what he adds to his game. As there are flashes of shooting and face up play that hint he could become more of a true wing. But the late bloomer isn't quite there yet. Given his appetite for hard work, there's a good chance he looks a different player on the offensive come high school season. All while still making all the big time hustle and athletic plays that he still does now.     Bezenah made a jump with Jenks over the season and it continued this spring with Southern Assault. He's earned offers from UT-Arlington, Texas Christian and local Oral Roberts. Some of the offers are based on projection of what he can be, but there's a lot to already like about the present Bezenah. He's fluid for his height, capable of pushing the ball himself. And is a tough face up match up in the halfcourt. The perimeter shooting has come around and he has the floor of a stretch forward at the next level. With tantalizing potential to continue developing as a complete offensive weapon. Continuing to improve his strength and toughness around the basket is one of the next steps for him to start to fulfill that big time potential.     One of Oklahoma's premier athletes. Florida Atlantic has offered and likely won't be the last. He's twitchy with his movements, making him capable of gracefully slashing through the defense. And then exploding around the rim with acrobatic finishes. So far at the high school level, his production has come in flashes. After a strong spring that saw him start to generate college buzz, it looks like he's ready to turn potential into production as another example of the great depth in this class. The keys are his to help Edmond Santa Fe make a return trip to the Class 6A State Tournament.     The lanky still growing Gaines would be an intriguing prospect based only on his measurables. Add in that he's one of the best shooters in the class, and he should become a popular target for D1 programs in the region. The youngster does appear to be starting to fill out and is less gangly in his body. He's dunking everything around the rim, and similarly is a rim deterrent on defense with his long arms. Has transferred to Vici and should put up video game like numbers with full stat lines this winter. But before that, he'll have a chance to draw the attention of college coaches next month with AB Elite on the Nike EYBL Circuit. Where one game with a few three pointers and tough plays on defense should be enough to turn him into a priority for low to mid-major programs.     Black has made highlight reel plays as a fearless rim attacker for over a year now. Just this week he showed the improvement in his dunk package with a sick tomahawk finish through the middle of the lane. Right now his offensive game is simple productive and efficient. As along with attacking the rim, he's nearly automatic from the corners and is a good perimeter shooter overall. Fits well into's Crossing unselfish system, as he's willing to pass up a good shot to find a teammate for a great shot.   The Knight's shooting and athletic ability gives him a great floor as a prospect, who will certainly play college basketball. But the level will be decided by how the rest of his game fills out. Right now, how he plays on offense is closer to an undersized stretch forward than a true wing. As it's mainly straight line drives to rims and spot up threes. Having improved handles and more fluid movements would help unlock his high potential.

While basketball has become more skill blessed and opened the door for different avenues to reach the next level, the game is still played on 10 foot tall rims. The court is 94 foot long. Necessitating the need for height and athleticism. The class of 2028 has prospects who fit that bill with a deep list of players with amazing natural gifts. And it turns out quite a few of them are skilled as well.