2028 Rankings Update: Biggest Risers in the Junior Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our <a href="https://prephoops.com/virginia/rankings/2028-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prephoops.com/virginia/rankings/2028-rankings/">updated Virginia 2028 rankings</a> feature 141 prospects and plenty of movement as prospects across the state continue to develop and elevate their stock. Following a busy spring and summer of high school and grassroots basketball, several rising juniors made significant moves up the board. Here is a closer look at some of the 2028 prospects trending up heading into the 2026-27 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2548307"],"_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-6a95f698d1766"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooks moves up eight spots in our updated rankings and continues to establish himself as a productive, well rounded prospect. He is a capable three-level scorer with good strength and a high basketball IQ, allowing him to impact the game in a variety of ways. Brooks is an effective finisher in the paint who uses his physicality well around the basket. He also rebounds at a high level from the perimeter, consistently using his strength, instincts and activity to impact the glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3554605"],"_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-6a95f698d179f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson is a skilled junior guard and reliable perimeter shot-maker with range beyond the arc. He has above-average quickness and the versatility to play either backcourt position, while consistently showing a good feel for the game and making sound decisions with the ball. Jackson also rebounds well for his position and consistently brings good effort and activity on both ends of the floor. His combination of shooting, versatility and feel makes him a well-rounded backcourt prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3659537"],"_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-6a95f698d17c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zaudtke moves up 16 spots in our updated rankings and continues to trend in the right direction. He is a high level athlete with good positional size and the ability to score at all three levels. Zaudtke plays with a high motor and uses his athleticism effectively to impact the game on both ends of the floor. His combination of size, athleticism and developing offensive versatility gives him plenty of upside to continue climbing the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3483210"],"_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-6a95f698d17e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pleasants is an athletic, high-scoring guard who impressed with Local Legends on the PUMA circuit throughout the summer. He consistently gets downhill and attacks the rim, where his strength and athleticism allow him to finish efficiently through contact. Pleasants also impacts the game on the glass and defensive end, where he rebounds well from the perimeter and competes at a high level. Also a football prospect, his combination of strength, athleticism and toughness translates well to both sports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->