2028 Rankings: Top-100 Stock-Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are almost into November, which means this upcoming hoop season is just weeks away. To prep you for this new season, we have updated our 2028 class rankings. Here are a handful of guys ranked inside the top-100 who will play meaningful roles this winter and have been putting in the work to improve their games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2935301"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad0ef3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hernandez heads into this winter as a key guard on a new-look Mount Rainier squad. This is a pretty talented team and Hernandez adds some dynamic ability in their backcourt to space the floor and attack the rim with purpose. He's got sneaky bounce and seems to play with the mentality to attack without fear. He should be a key creator for them with his ability to slice down lanes and collapse the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2956000"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad0f55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walcolm is well-built guard who has shined defensively with his ability to move his feet, chest up ball handlers, and cut down drives. He's a physical kid who can handle constant contact, remain on balance, and has the hands to create deflections and steals. He's also continued to look like a much improved player on the offensive end, bringing that physicality and balance to his downhill attacks, and showing he can separate and drill some jumpers in the midrange.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2961544"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad0f9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Have been very impressed with Sartoe's improvements this summer and he is a player who has shown the tools to keep rising in this 2028 class. An excellent vertical leaper who has also demonstrated the quick and big bursts to change direction, Sartoe is definitely a kid local schools should check in on this winter. He's also been a more reliable threat from 3-point range and could help Ferris be a sneaky team in the GSL this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2954773"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad0ff2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Michals is an interesting player who could be stepping into a much larger role on this Mount Si team after spending last season on JV. One thing to know about Michals, he has unlimited range. I've seen it time and again, and he has enough of a handle and craftiness to get good separation out on the perimeter. The Wildcats graduated a bunch of key guards from last years' squad, in fact they return only four varsity players total, so Michals should have plenty of opportunities to stretch the floor and add a little playmaking as a rotational guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878380"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad1037"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The small school wing/forward is a guy who can fill different roles and flex back in forth between working inside and along the perimeter. Knocks down the outside shot a good enough rate to not be left alone and picks his spots downhill pretty well when working from the perimeter. Also has the hands/vision to be a key contributor on the glass, and those same attributes help him be a successful off-ball cutter to play off his teammates' paint touches. He's a guy who will mix in some dirty work with the skill to play out of different spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3569917"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad1079"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After going 3-19 at Hazen his freshman year, Cortez played a key role in turning the ship around and helped lead the Highlanders to an 11-12 record last season. He's a pretty skilled guard who will finish at the cup with either hand, understands how to utilize different finishes to combat shot-blockers, and has good change of direction in tight spots. Cortez is a very positive player too. Good attitude, willing to advance the ball, and recognizes the efficiency of a pass over a dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2899544"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad10b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hussein is a quick guard who seems to really take pride in his defensive matchup. Has the lateral foot speed and the quick burst to really make ball-handlers work, and has proven his speed can turn defensive stops and turnovers into quick offense. Tough-minded player too who doesn't mind mixing it up on the glass, taking hits on drives, or getting on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3697269"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae3c55ad10f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mead has quite the talented incoming 2030 class, and one of the top seniors in the state as well. But Maplethorpe is another key player who should be one of their leaders this winter and could help them build on an up-and-down 2025-26 season. He's shown the ability to strike from deep and under tight closeouts, as well as add some secondary playmaking, attacking those closeouts and getting into the middle. He showed a lot to like in terms of diversifying his offensive impact during Mead's games this summer and he should be a riser to watch on the east side of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->