2029 Watch List Forwards With Potential to Crack the Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/new-england/rankings/2029-rankings/">Prep Hoops 2029 New England rankings</a>&nbsp;are LIVE! 61 players were ranked, but there are still tons of names on our Watch List who could majorly improve their stock over the next few months and end up on our rankings next time around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/2029-watch-list-guards-with-potential-to-crack-the-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/2029-watch-list-guards-with-potential-to-crack-the-rankings/">2029 Watch List Guards With Potential to Crack the Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five forwards who have a chance to do that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969344"],"_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-6a9099462cf64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tolley is one of the more intriguing 2029's in the region and could totally burst onto the scene this year. He was an MIAA all star last season and a meaningful piece for Team Sims UA Rise squad this spring and summer, and the 6-foot-5 (and growing) forward comes to a Marianapolis Prep squad where he should be able to show off his versatility and skill. He can shoot threes, he's a phenomenal passer for his age and size, and he can handle it effectively against pressure. More reps against better competition this high school season will be big for Tolley, who could be a massive riser in our rankings if he continues to develop like I think he will. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2502951"],"_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-6a9099462cf9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Tolley, Reynolds has an intriguing blend of size, strength, and feel for the game. The 6-foot-3 forward is super strong on the inside and uses his dense base to hold his ground against opposing bigs and dominate the paint. But he also moves better than most guys his size on the perimeter and can take bigger, slower players off the dribble with his ability to handle the ball and get to his spots.  He also has a budding outside shot. Reynolds had a really nice spring and summer for Team Sims and should be a very meaningful piece for a Lexington Christian Academy team that could surprise people this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2969393"],"_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-6a9099462cfd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Erickson exudes potential. The 6-foot-7 forward moves extremely fluidly up and down the court and has good hops at the rim and agility on the perimeter, but he strikes me as a guy who could really improve his skillset over the next year. The true 2029 has a nice-looking shot, the ability to drive closeouts and play off of two feet, and generally good coordination. It's rare to see this combination of physical tools for a rising sophomore at his size, let alone one that hasn't reclassed yet. The Expressions product has a VERY bright future ahead, and I expect to see him on a prep school squad soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3667935"],"_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-6a9099462cff1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beqaj doesn't look like a rising sophomore. When I first saw the true 2029 at Dana Barros this spring, he shocked me with his physicality, strength, and maturity. The 6-foot-5 forward has a well-built upper body and knows how to use it—he's lethal on the boards, a super versatile defender, and a little things guy. But he also shoots the ball well from three and is developing as a ball handler and mid-range shooter, which will make him that much more versatile offensively. The Quincy HS product should be a nice fit alongside [player_tooltip player_id='3727033' first='Yhan' last='Medina'], and they could be a sleeper team to make some noise this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3479515"],"_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-6a9099462d010"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deng was one of the more productive underclassmen bigs in the entire MIAA last season for a Salem squad that won the state chip, and he continued his development into the spring/summer with NSSA. Whenever I watched him play, I was amazed with the 6-foot-5 forward's hands and strength in the paint—he has a knack for finishing with contact and catches everything his guards throw to him. His perimeter skillset continues to grow, too; I saw him make some really nice spin and crossover moves this spring and think he'll take on A LOT more responsibility this season for Salem, which should allow him to showcase his game to local prep schools. Deng may or may not crack my Top 50 MIAA Rankings, which are coming out this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->