2028 Rankings: Stock Risers Ready for the Next Step

The latest 2028 rankings update wasn't just about adding new names. Several prospects who were already on our board gave us enough this spring and summer to move them up. In some cases, it was added skill. In others, it was a bigger and different role, or simply seeing their game hold up against stronger competition. Now comes the next part and that's consistently putting it together and it contributing to varsity this upcoming season. A strong opening stretch could create more momentum and a slow start could have them drop in the rankings. But right now, these are some of the top risers in the 2028 class.     We've been waiting for Valencia to put all of the pieces together as he truly does have all of the tools. He's tall, moves well for his size and is a versatile player who can put it on the floor a bit and finish inside and this summer felt like the clearest sign yet that it's starting to happen. The size and physical tools have always been there, but he looked more engaged and comfortable finding ways to be more impactful. With injuries on his team he was forced to step up and be more of an offensive contributor. Valencia ran the floor, rebounded, finished off screen-and-roll actions and even stepped away from the paint to knock down pick-and-pop threes. That versatility is what pushed him upward. Grandview should provide him with a chance to show more this season, and if he starts aggressively and consistently plays with that same activity, he has room to keep climbing. Easy riser in the class.     Grayson has been on our radar since the spring as it was one of the better glimpses we've had of what his role could eventually become. He's one of the taller players on the floor, yet he's also comfortable initiating offense, handling the ball in space and making decisions with the ball. What I liked most was that he is interchangeable. He plays guard at times and passes and keeps the offensive flowing, he also can play off ball and shoot it when it comes to him or make the right play. He doesnt force bad shots. Grayson knows when to score and is a player I feel you can put in at different spots and get the best from him. We certainly want to see more of him but liked what we saw from him when we did to make the jump.     Clark's rise has been more of a steady build than a sudden breakout. He gained momentum last summer, turned that into meaningful minutes during the season where he looked like one of the top players and then had to make shifts throughout the season. He shifted and adapted to his role despite it being a situation that not many players would be able to go through and kept contributing. HIs team won state and then he transferred but that's not without having his moments this summer. He looked like a player that kept adding. He has solid size, he uses his length and takes advantage of smaller defenders around him, especially around the basket. Mason is fluid and he runs the floor well but can also create when given the opportunity. If Clark establishes himself early as a rebounder, interior defender and reliable finisher, the scoring opportunities should follow. He's already trending upward, and a strong start could push his stock even higher.     Martin's production already suggested there was something there, but seeing him against different competition helped confirm that his game travels. Who you do it against goes a long way in seeing how you measure up to the rest of the state and his varsity season was solid but we wanted to see more. Well at the Expo he stood out with how he played. There was not wasted movement, he played both on and off the ball and he really shot it well from deep. He got to where he wanted, was great coming off of screens and setting up and had some clean looks. He doesnt have to dominate the ball too much and that's why I wonder if he'll be able to bring that into his varsity season. If it carries over, expect a pretty big season where he gets on more radars. He rose in the rankings this go round.     Eugene's rise has a lot to do with taking on a role for the year which I am sure took a lot of sacrifice, but then this Summer showed that he could do even more than expected. Jay averaged 8.4 points, 2.4 assists and an impressive 3.9 steals a game. This summer, he put on more of an offensive role and looked well when we saw him. He's a defensive pest who picks up 90 feet, he speeds guards up and his hands are very active. He was willing to put his body on the line and it turned into turnovers against him. Offensively, he attacked gaps and bigger players without hesitation and continued to get down hill. When the defense collapses he's a willing passer and finishes well. He's very aggressive and that works out for him. The next step is him blending that attacking mentality with the responsibilities of a true point guard. If Eugene starts the year controlling games while still bringing that same confidence, he has a chance to make another significant move but was certainly a riser.     Trujillo continues to move upward because his game is built around things that you can trust. He made the transfer which will allow him ore opportunity and allows him to excel as a true PG and floor general. We saw him with both Grandview this Summer as well as with his grassroots teams and he had his standout moments with both. He understands spacing, communicates as a PG, organizes the offense and also was able to show that he could score and take advantage of iso ball. We've also seen him function both on and off the ball, which should give him more ways to fit into a varsity rotation. His willingness to defend and keep the ball moving gives him a strong starting point and if he earns minutes early and show he can have the same reliability against varsity pressure, he could be one of the steadier risers. He rose this go round with more room to grow.

The latest 2028 rankings update wasn't just about adding new names. Several prospects who were already on our board gave us enough this spring and summer to move them up. In some cases, it was added skill. In others, it was a bigger and different role, or simply seeing their game hold up against stronger competition. Now comes the next part and that's consistently putting it together and it contributing to varsity this upcoming season. A strong opening stretch could create more momentum and a slow start could have them drop in the rankings. But right now, these are some of the top risers in the 2028 class.