June Rankings Update: New 2028s Outside the Top 100

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Top 100 often receives much of the attention, there are plenty of emerging prospects making their presence felt throughout the state. The June rankings update welcomed another group of 2028 players who earned their first spot in the rankings after productive springs and encouraging development. These newcomers may be outside the Top 100 for now, but they have shown enough promise to put themselves firmly on the radar moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2827821"],"_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-6a201a0ad6ce3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The highest-ranked new addition outside of the Top 100 is [player_tooltip player_id='2827821' first='JaCaden' last='Evans'], who slots in at #104. I got to see this 6'2" Combo Guard a couple of times this spring with [program_tooltip program_id='2076394' first='Carolina' last='Premier'] Upstate, and he was impressive. He is a weapon off the ball with his catch-and-shoot prowess and ability to slash to the rim, and he has some defensive potential, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2523933"],"_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-6a201a0ad6d37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jesiah is one whom I've known about for a while, thanks to his time on varsity at Irmo, but after seeing him with Team USC Premier, I got a better feel for his game. Melendez takes pride in his defensive production because it often results in easy buckets in transition. He can score in the half-court, too, but some physical growth could propel him up the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2821278"],"_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-6a201a0ad6d71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sumpter joins multiple three-sport athletes outside of the Top 100. He plays basketball, baseball, and football at Lower Richland High School, excelling with a solid frame and good athleticism. Kayden uses those tools to excel in and around the paint, driving or working from the post on offense, and guarding bigger matchups on the defensive end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3627653"],"_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-6a201a0ad6da8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the new names to monitor in South Carolina's 2028 Class is Chatman-Ackerman. I was intrigued by what I saw from him in early May at the Big Shots Myrtle Beach Jam with La Costa, displaying some positional size at the Combo Guard position. If he can continue to bring defensive effort and improve his perimeter shot, he could be a nice piece for the Cobras next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2921130"],"_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-6a201a0ad6ddd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There will be tons of minutes to fill for the Bruins in the backcourt after their departures from the past two seasons, and Deese is a guy who could help fill those roles. He has a good feel for making the right play, whether that's swinging the ball on the perimeter, driving to create space, or getting a bucket for himself. He is also a decent defender who brings effort whenever he's on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3636999"],"_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-6a201a0ad6e10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3636999' first='William' last='Scott'] rounds out the list of New 2028s Inside the Top 100 of the updated Prep Hoops South Carolina Rankings. Scott checks in as a Top 25 Shooting Guard in his class, and he's in the rankings because of how valuable his shooting can be. Whether it's with his AAU team or with Greenville High School, William is called on to be an efficient catch-and-shoot threat, and he is very capable of it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->