Summer Transfers – Classes of 2028 and 2029

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The month of June is an important one for high school basketball as returning players come back to their high school programs from club basketball to start getting ready for next season. It's also a time that's interesting in that players who are looking to transfer schools will suit up for their new teams and get accustomed to new teammates and systems of play. While there's no guarantee these players will definitely attend and play at these new destinations in the fall - it's only official once school starts - but it is an indication of what's to come for next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We certainly aren't looking to glamorize nor demonize what's now known as the "high school transfer portal" but it is a fact of life in prep sports these days and we do want all to stay up to date with what's going on in the basketball scene. That said, here are some of the top transfers from the Classes of 2028 and 2029 that we have either seen or were made aware of so far this month (please let us know if you know of any others).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of 2028</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raef Hammack</strong> - <em>North Marion to Wilsonville</em><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2427510' first='Carter' last='Lockhart']</strong> - <em>Nelson to Grant</em><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539783' first='Jonah' last='Mason']</strong> - <em>Wilsonville to West Linn</em><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2885182' first='Levi' last='Natwick']</strong> - <em>La Salle to Sherwood</em><br><strong>Leo Onishchenko</strong> - <em>Nelson to Centennial</em><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2950369' first='Bastian' last='Rapier']</strong> - <em>Franklin to Clackamas</em><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539779' first='Jae'lyn' last='Smith']</strong> - <em>Reynolds to Parkrose</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class of 2029</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2790667' first='Scottie' last='Miller']</strong> - <em>South Medford to West Albany</em><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2888697' first='Jordan' last='Smith']</strong> - <em>Reynolds to Parkrose</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Analysis:</span></strong> A number of underclassmen are looking to don new uniforms and leading the way is Lockhart, who at last update was the top-ranked rising junior in the state. He'll add additional firepower to a Grant squad that already brings back all five starters from last season. Another player who will make an immediate impact is Onischenko, who switches uniforms to the light blue of Centennial. He's already turned some heads in summer ball with his size and position versatility. Mason makes a change in-district to West Linn and should bolster another squad that has several key returnees and Rapier adds to the Cavs riches in the backcourt. Natwick projects as a frontline big for the Bowmen and the Smith brothers in Jaelyn and Jordan keep Parkrose a potential favorite in their 5A title defense. A real wildcard is Miller who helps maintain West Albany in their own 5A title hunt. The rising sophomore has been having a huge off-season so far in both club and Jne ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->