KABC: Friday 2028 Standouts

The KABC Bluegrass Shootout brought out dozens of Division I coaches to watch top talent from Kentucky and beyond and in this article I'll break down my 2028 standouts from Kentucky on Friday.    While he didn't play the entire weekend, Cook was a Friday standout as his defense activity and off ball movement allowed him to make a big two-way impact for his team. Cook was dangerous when he was moving without the ball with a purpose and generated some easy looks for himself. Defensively, Cook is able to defend multiple positions and switch onto ball handlers and defend the post. For Cook, the biggest key for him will be to make shots on the perimeter as he got a handful of clean looks from 3-point range or mid-range and wasn't able to convert. I really like how he's transitioned into doing a lot of the dirty work that doesn't show up on the box score but he will reach his full potential by finding ways to space the floor for his team.     Howard had a stock rising weekend as his passing ability was on full display this weekend. The ball didn't stick to Howard's hands and as a team, Christian Academy of Louisville had excellent ball movement to generate open looks. Howard had a couple buckets off the catch as well on the perimeter and used his strong frame to seal off defenders on drives. I thought Howard really helped himself this weekend and has been hearing from some local Division I programs after the weekend.     A new name for myself, Bowen is a combo guard who can make shots from well behind the 3-point line as he knocked down four 3-pointers in the first half alone in the game I caught. Bowen played with some confidence and swagger on the ball, using quick dribble moves to get past his defender on the perimeter. While most combo guards want to play with the ball in their hands all the time, Bowen found success as a spot-up option to space the floor as the sets his team ran helped create movement and space for him to make shots. If Bowen can get stronger during the fall I'd expect him to be one of the most impactful guards in Louisville this winter.     A huge weekend for Orem who did a little bit of everything for a Great Crossing squad who should once again be in contention for a deep run at Rupp Arena. Orem knocked down a couple of 3-pointers in the game I was at and him making shots allows him to attack closeouts on the perimeter, which makes him a tough cover as both a center or stretch forward due to his skill and strength. An extremely tough cover at the high school level due to his strength and interior scoring ability, Orem is one of the most productive 2028 players in Kentucky and this weekend he scored 21 PPG, grabbed almost 8 RPG and shot over 50% from 3-point range and 90% from the foul line.     One of the elite shooters in Kentucky's 2028 class, Burgess knocked down some ridiculous shots in the game I caught of his this weekend. Burgess hit seven 3-pointers in the game I was at as his quick release and floor spacing ability was extremely impressive to watch. I liked Russell's team as they are playing a lot of 2028's who are skilled and share the basketball. Expect Burgess to move up the 2028 rankings during the next update as it's rare to find players with his positional size and shooting ability. Already holding an offer from nearby Marshall University, other Division I programs are also showing interest to begin the contact period for 2028 prospects.

The KABC Bluegrass Shootout brought out dozens of Division I coaches to watch top talent from Kentucky and beyond and in this article I'll break down my 2028 standouts from Kentucky on Friday.