2028 Rankings Update: Top Small Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2028 class in Kentucky is one of the deeper ones that we have seen since Prep Hoops Kentucky launched over a decade ago. There's size and athleticism at every position. There are big time shooters. There are nationally ranked players and nearly 20 players with D1 offers already. In this latest update, there has been a LOT of movement as some kids have started to make their move towards the top while others are starting to fall behind. Here's a breakdown of the top Small Forwards in this update. This does not include any players who were already featured in our top ten articles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2028","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77247","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"97","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a666920289ce"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2555374"],"_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-6a666920292a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the interest of clarity, I have not seen Augmon play yet. Our Mike Roth saw Joshua in the live period and thought highly enough of him to plug him in as a top 12 player. Since then, Austin Davie and Jordan Mitchell have both transferred out of Kentucky. I look forward to seeing Augmon play and think he can be a big time difference maker for a Taylor County team that has potential to not only win the 5th region again but could make some real noise at Rupp Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2391345"],"_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-6a66692029348"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Siakam has one of the highest prospect ceilings of any player in this class. He needs to continue to develop his three point shooting but Joaquin has a lot of tools and plays with a high motor. South Oldham is a real contender to be a top 25 team in Kentucky this season and is capable of winning the 8th region. Siakam has the potential to take over games for long stretches and is a quick leaper who projects well to the D1 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2395554"],"_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-6a666920293da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nikolovski has burst on the scene in the last year or so and has a super high upside. Long and athletic, James has the ability to get to the rim and finish at a high rate. Nikolovski is a slasher first but he is also a versatile defender who can switch and guard multiple positions. With their young core, Eastern is going to be hard to beat. If James makes as much progress this next year as he has in the past 12 months, he's going to end up as a top 10 player in this class and see D1 offers coming his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2360943"],"_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-6a66692029467"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The best shooter on this list, Bryce knocks down threes at a high clip. Vernon is also comfortable putting the ball on the floor and getting into the paint and is a very underrated rim protector. Standing 6'5" with an even longer wingspan, Bryce will have to put some weight on his wiry frame but he may not be finished growing yet, either. The second Taylor County player on this list, Vernon is a future D1 wing who has long term potential as a 3 and D guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2885752"],"_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-6a6669202950c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A skilled lefty who can play any position on the offensive end, Dawson had a big Sophomore season at LCA and followed it with a big AAU season with KBC East. Farmer is a high IQ player who continues to excel as a playmaker and a finisher. He's not a knockdown shooter at this point but Dawson takes good shots and is a capable catch and shoot player whose best basketball is all ahead of him. With a potential breakout season ahead at LCA, Farmer is a player to keep an eye out for this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->