Updated 2028 Rankings: A look into the top 10

Our 2028 player rankings have been updated! Despite being in the thick of the final live period of summer, we've taken in action in the busy months of April-June to evaluate any shifts. As usual, prospects took their games to the next level and improved their spot, even in the top 10, which is where I'll kick off our coverage.    No change at the top as Avery remains No. 1 despite Kareem Bey-Smith making the race extremely interesting. There was no denying the production and consistency as a two-way force that Avery has shown since May. The potential and upside remain clear, but the mentality to go out there and dominate like he's able to ran hot and cold throughout the fall and winter. If Avery has truly turned a corner and set his mindset to having his fingerprints all over the game like he has been over the last two month, his grip on the top spot will only become stronger. After averaging 18.1PPG, 8.1RPG and 2.6BPG, Avery is off to a solid start in Peach Jam play with [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] 16s putting up 11.5PPG, 8RPG and 3BPG.     Avery's strong stretch of play was needed in order to maintain control of No. 1 because Smith-Bey's momentum is real. The 6'5" guard/wing continues to put his full game together starting on the defensive end where he's an elite on-ball defender, active in the passing lanes and obtains all the tools you need to guard four different positions at the HS level. Perhaps the most developed aspect of his game over the last six or so months stems from his threat as a shooter. While he isn't a guy defenders are going to be guarding as a specialist on the perimeter at this point, he's converting catch-and-shoot three's with enough regularity to demand more gravity, which ultimately opens the floor for others or give hims driving lanes to attack closeouts. Smith-Bey had a spectacular showing in one of the most anticipated matchups against Petersburg during DC Live where he logged 18PTS, 9REBS and 7ASTS.     Mbuyamba makes the biggest jump in our top-10 and while there could be a lot of movement from this spot until about 11-12 throughout the next few updates, the production from the Gonzaga product is impossible to ignore. The 6'6" Gonzaga product is coming off a great showing in Vegas during EYBL play for Takeover 16s where he averaged 14.5PPG and 9.7RPG on 78.3 percent shooting from the field. Mbuyamba does his damage around the rim where he brings high-level instincts when it comes to establishing and maintaining leverage on the block for post touches. The southpaw has textbook footwork, patience and soft touch to finish in ways that make it tough for the taller bigs to deflect. One aspect that he'll need to improve on moving forward is his success at the charity stripe. Because he's so effective at maintaining physicality, earns regular trips to the line and could've logged even more impressive numbers if he converted with efficiency. To no surprise, he'll be the anchor for a Gonzaga team who has a change to make real noise in the WCAC this season     Washington comes in at No. 4 as he's come back from being sidelined for a bit to man the controls for Takeover 16s. There's no questioning Washington's ability to orchestrate games as a floor general, bring an elite defensive presence that not many can match at his position nationally and his overall will to win. He lives in the paint and makes the lives of others he shares the floor with exponentially easier. The swing skill with Washington will be the shooting. As effective as he is now knifing into the heart of defenses, developing a jumper from deep is the next skill that he'll need to develop in order to steer clear of the "small guard" discussions. This is nit-picking of course, as Washington has proven himself in several high-level environments, but at this junction of his HS career, college programs will begin dissecting.     Stanfield makes his first appearance in the top-5 and much of it has to do with his ability to impact winning in the role that he plays with [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] 16s. He drew some buzz in June with his play at DMV Live as he posted one of the more impressive stat lines from the event. In his three-game showing, he posted 26PPG, 10.7RPG and 2APG as the Cardinals finished 1-2 overall. Stanfield's motor is what stands out most combined with a nice, strong frame at 6'6" that should continue to fill out in time. He's taken steps in the right direction as a vertical athlete at the rim and is a guy who you can plug into a system and expect him to make something out of nothing if necessary.     Tarawally had a very strong start to the spring posting some crazy numbers on the UA Circuit that showed his impact as a downhill force. The efficiency and impact on winning have wavered a bit since, but his positional size as a guard who can handle primary ball-handling duties or pose as a viable, consistent scoring threat off the ball with his ability to get going quickly. Tarawally averaged 16.3PPG, 7RPG and 2.7APG during DC Live as he looks to carve out a significant role in his first year at Archbishop Carroll.     McQueen's spring playing up on the 17U level with Washington Warriors prepared him to take on a lead role for his new school in Bishop O'Connell. Set to form one of the more dynamic backcourt duos in the area alongside Corey Dixon, McQueen proved himself as a dynamic threat on the ball who provides a great balance scoring and distributing. Young for his grade, we're just beginning to see McQueen meet the crossroads of natural maturity and improving his ability as an athlete overall as he threw down his share of impressive dunks during his time at DMV Live where he averaged 12.5PPG, 5RPG and 3.6APG as Bishop O'Connell finished both sessions with a 4-4 overall record.     Matthews makes his way to MD/DC after spending his sophomore season at DME Academy (FL). The Delaware native has been a prospect on regional and national radars now due to his supreme athleticism and versatility as a wing as he can toggle between multiple positions, impact the game defensively around the rim and put on a show in the open floor with an array of high-flying finishes. All of which were on display throughout DMV Live in his first action locally suiting up for his new program in Mt. Zion Prep (National) where he had some loud outings that resulted in receiving offers from Georgetown and Seton Hall.     Brooks remains firmly in the top 10 and for good reason as the Bishop McNamara/[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'] lead guard continues to facilitate his teams with a mature approach. Now standing a legitimate 6'1"-6'2", Brooks' game has steadily improved since the days of being a 5'9" freshman at Loyola Blakefield. He has a better understanding of controlling pace when the intensity of games pick up, has used the growth spurt not only to his advantage to see over the defense more as a passer but also as a scorer on drives and still poses as a guy who you can't give an ounce of daylight to on the perimeter. He's converting around the mid-30's in 3P% when you look at DMV Live and EYBL play, so getting that back up around the 40% range given the quality of shooter that Brooks is will be a key of emphasis moving forward and will provide his McNamara team an extra boost.     Massive jump for the 7'0"-7'1" southpaw big man who has turned a corner this spring/summer. With a lack of elite sized bigs in this local class, betting on Aguek could be viewed as risky to some, but smart to most as he made a statement with his play in DMV Live in particular, notching the first ever triple-double with points, rebounds and blocks. His timing as a rim protecting has improved drastically as has his hands on rolls to the rim in traffic or as a lob catcher. The best basketball remains way ahead for Aguek still, but the evidence over the last 4-to-5 months is clear and with the way that the game is trending in college basketball, a lengthy center who can impact the rim are more valuable than ever. Look for Aguek to be the anchor for Georgetown Prep as he steps in to the role that Sinan Huan (Purdue) left behind.

Our 2028 player rankings have been updated! Despite being in the thick of the final live period of summer, we've taken in action in the busy months of April-June to evaluate any shifts. As usual, prospects took their games to the next level and improved their spot, even in the top 10, which is where I'll kick off our coverage.