Eight Frontcourt Prospects Trending Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arkansas' 2027–2028 classes continue to add depth at the forward and wing spots. These eight prospects are making noticeable jumps in skill, confidence, and impact as the season nears. Keep us updated on ALL prospects over on “X“ and “Instagram,” just tag @PrepHoops_AR &amp; @VortexSportsArkansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3042501' first='Jayden' last='Phillips'] (Marion HS, 6'5, 2028) is an athletic forward with rim‑protector instincts. He's a dunker-spot lob‑catcher who changes possessions with length, timing, and bounce, giving him upside as a modern rim‑runner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3557824' first='Aden' last='West'] (GCT HS, 6'5, 2028) brings reliable interior scoring with a growing face‑up game. He's a strong rebounder who competes on both ends on the glass and can space the floor as a spot‑up shooter, projecting long‑term upside as true 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden Hodges (Flippin HS, 6'4, 2027) is a physical back‑to‑basket 4 who embraces contact. His toughness, interior presence, and paint game make him a sturdy forward who thrives against smaller less physical matchups inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2879790' first='Gavin' last='Elmore'] (Mountain Pine HS, 6'5, 2028) has a big frame with improving footwork and touch. His raw size, hustle, and emerging post skills give him a lot of potential to build on as he continues adding polish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2621319' first='Ethan' last='Smith'] (Parkers Chapel, 6'5, 2028) is a smart, unselfish wing/forward. He shows solid IQ, good feel, and clear room to grow over the next two seasons as a steady connector piece with developing scoring touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2395260' first='Luke' last='Stogsdill'] (Alma HS, 6'4, 2027) is a high‑motor glue guy with toughness. He competes, rebounds, and scores as a face‑up wing/forward who impacts winning with toughness and reliability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2396145' first='Peyton' last='Bolding'] (Benton HS, 6'4, 2028) is an athletic wing who plays bigger than his listed size. He flashes perimeter skill, physical finishing ability, and multi‑tool potential that continues trending upward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2751474' first='Boston' last='Bradford'] (Vilonia HS, 6'4, 2028) fits the modern stretch‑4 mold with pick‑and‑pop or roll versatility. He's reliable on the glass and capable of knocking down shots from the perimeter with growing confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->