National Rankings Countdown: Class of 2029 (5-1)

<p>The time has come to introduce the first-ever National Player Rankings for the Class of 2029; a preliminary assessment spotlighting the class's most productive prospects also believed to hold promising potential for the next level.</p>   <p>The Class of 2029 made their initial impression on Prep Hoops Next over a year ago as sixth-graders. Since then, the talent pool has steadily grown, with evaluations spanning the PHN circuit and a variety of other events nationwide. Now, the group is in-gear for their seventh-grade circuit season, and with the anticipation of summer championships looming, there's no better time to unveil the initial National Rankings.</p>   <p>While acknowledging that we haven't evaluated <em>every</em> player, we've likely evaluated more than most, and this list serves as a credible placeholder as we continue to organize and expand our database of prospects. It's essential to recognize that <em>any</em> list is dynamic and subject to change; and this one is sure to evolve during the next five years. Today, as the countdown commences with the players ranked from fifth down to one in the nation, our team of scouts at Prep Hoops Next will continue to direct our attention toward the future!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Joshua Sanders</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Joshua Sanders has been on the radar for a while now due to his towering height and impressive length. He uses his size and reach to perfection, making a significant impact whenever he is on the court. His physical attributes allow him to be highly productive on both the offensive and defensive ends of the ball. With a lot of good potential on the horizon, Sanders is poised to continue developing into a formidable player.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Cayden Gaskins</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cayden Gaskins stays in attack mode whenever he is on the court, demonstrating the full potential to become a high-level basketball player in the coming years. He can score the ball at multiple levels with impressive efficiency. Utilizing his strength and physicality, Gaskins dominates on the floor, consistently securing both offensive and defensive rebounds. His versatile skill set and relentless play make him a standout performer with a promising future.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Jamal "JJ" Crawford</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">JJ Crawford is starting to live up to his name as the son of former NBA player Jamal Crawford. He is a super twitchy guard who can both facilitate and score at a high level. Crawford is creative with the ball in his hands and possesses a tremendous feel for the game, consistently making smart plays and showcasing his natural basketball instincts. His dynamic playmaking ability and court vision make him a promising talent to watch.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Josiah Brooks</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Josiah Brooks ranks near the top of the list for the most productive middle school basketball players in the country. Competing in the 15U division on the Nike EYBL Circuit, he is already averaging double-digit points. Brooks boasts a super advanced skill set and an exceptional feel for the game. As a three-level scorer, he dominates whenever he is on the floor, making him a standout talent with a bright future ahead.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot']</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot'] tops our initial class of 2029 rankings, following in the footsteps of his older brother, former North Carolina standout Armando Bacot. [player_tooltip player_id='2767487' first='King' last='Bacot'] showcases very impressive size and a natural feel for the game, allowing him to excel in multiple positions on both offense and defense. He displays remarkable patience with the ball, letting the game come to him, which highlights his mature approach and high basketball IQ. His versatility and poised play make him a standout player to watch in the coming years.</p>

The time has come to introduce the first-ever National Player Rankings for the Class of 2029; a preliminary assessment spotlighting the class's most productive prospects also believed to hold promising potential for the next level.