Climbing the Rankings: 2028 Prospects on the Rise

Our <a href="https://prephoops.com/georgia/rankings/2028-rankings/">Updated 2028 Rankings</a> have expanded to include 136 players in the junior class. Camps, showcases and tournaments during June and July provided plenty of opportunties for our staff to evaluate prospects from around the state. Here is a closer look at five 2028 prospects that are moving up.    Shields helped Sewer South capture the On The Radar Hoops 16U Championship this summer and established himself as one of the more versatile forwards in the class. The junior can score at all three levels, showing the ability to operate on the block, make shots in the midrange and stretch the floor beyond the arc. He has impressive footwork and touch around the basket and is comfortable establishing position and scoring with his back to the basket. Shields also impacts the game defensively as a shot changer in the paint and earned his move to #34 in our updated rankings.     We had a great opportunity to evaluate Ward with Team Scoot on the PRO16 circuit in July and came away impressed with his game. The junior does a little bit of everything to help his team win, playing with a high motor and impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Ward can attack the basket off the dribble, score in the midrange and knock down shots from beyond the arc with an efficient, compact shooting stroke. He is also an active and instinctive defender who competes consistently and contributes as a willing rebounder from the perimeter.     Johnson earned All-Region honors last season after averaging more than 11 points per game for the Trojans and continued to impress with Peach County during the June live period. The junior point guard combines good strength with above average quickness and is a capable perimeter shot maker both off the catch and off the dribble. Johnson also brings toughness and activity to the defensive end, where he competes as an on-ball defender.     Brown provided instant offense for the Atlanta All Stars throughout the summer and moved up more than 20 spots in our updated rankings. The junior is a dynamic ball handler and scoring threat with above average quickness and speed who can create his own offense off the dribble. He changes speeds effectively to keep defenders off balance, can make shots from beyond the arc and excels at pushing the pace in transition. Brown also plays with a high motor and consistently brings energy on both ends of the floor.     Downey earned his way into the Top 50 of our updated rankings after standing out with Norcross Heat during July. The junior is a mobile, athletic big man with good length who is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. He changes ends of the floor with ease and has good hands and touch around the basket. Downey also brings intriguing defensive versatility, with the ability to alter shots in the paint while possessing the mobility to switch onto perimeter players and keep them in front of him.

Our Updated 2028 Rankings have expanded to include 136 players in the junior class. Camps, showcases and tournaments during June and July provided plenty of opportunties for our staff to evaluate prospects from around the state. Here is a closer look at five 2028 prospects that are moving up.