Rankings Update: The Small Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our positional breakdown for the <em>Class of 2025</em> continues with a look at some of New England's most impactful <em>Small Forwards</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is, arguably, the strongest positional group in New England, with six of the <em>Top 10</em> overall prospects in our rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='2317299' first='Dwayne' last='Aristode'], [player_tooltip player_id='1106063' first='London' last='Jemison'], [player_tooltip player_id='1529071' first='Jaylen' last='Harrell'], [player_tooltip player_id='2317315' first='Preston' last='Fowler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1239437' first='Ryder' last='Frost'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2317323' first='Mason' last='Blackwood'] make up one of the strongest postional sextet's in the country. Only Harrell (<strong><em>Providence</em></strong>) and Fowler (<strong><em>James Madison</em></strong>) have come off the board, with Aristode, Jemison, Frost, and Blackwood all considering high-major options in their respective recruitments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2025","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"77247","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"77239","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dd973f4ff01"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we take a look at five <em>Small Forwards</em> to watch from the <em>Class of 2025</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532431"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dd973f51341"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Loer, who came off the board this summer with a commitment to <strong><em>Rhode Island</em></strong>, is one of the top scorers in New England. While he has a big time reputation on the offensive end of the floor, he pops as an athletic prospect that can make an impact on the defensive end as well. One of last summer's top stock risers, he battled some injuries this year, but again proved to be among the top wings in the region. He's a bouncy athlete that finishes with authority in transition, can score at all three levels, and has the ability to finish off either foot with either hand by the rim. He does a bit of everything on the offensive end of the floor - shooting, ball-handling, facilitating, and rebounding. Defensively, he's a solid perimeter defender that can shut down the ball and fly around to be disruptive in passing lanes. He's also a high level rebounder that can grab and go to initiate offense. He should be one of the top performers in the <em>NEPSAC</em> and will look to lead St. George's to a championship this winter before heading to the <em>A-10</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2325739"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dd973f51390"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chiacchia, a big wing with a fundamentally sound skillset, had a strong summer while running with the <em>New York Jayhawks</em>. A long and lean 6'7", Chiacchia is capable of playing both on the perimeter and in the post on the offensive end of the floor. He's shown the ability to hold post position, seals his defender in transition, and does a good job of showing his hands as a target for entry passes. He's got great length and does a solid job of catching and finishing high. On the perimeter, he's able to put the ball on the floor for multiple dribbles and can knock down the occasional perimeter jumper off the catch. Defensively, he can guard wings and forwards, doing a good job of moving laterally and impacting the game with his length. As he continues to add strength, he should be able to become a strong post defender and defensive rebounder. He's a serious next level prospect that could play his way into a scholarship with a strong season at <em>South Kent</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2546813"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dd973f513d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shosa, who heads to <em>Premier Prep</em> for a postgrad year after a strong senior season at <em>Manchester West</em>, burst into the rankings this summer after turning heads with <em>Team NSSA</em>. A high-flying wing that plays with an edge, Shosa has impressive physical tools and a reputation for putting the ball in the hoop. He's a plus athletically that makes plays above the rim on both ends of the floor and finishes plays in transition with authority. He can score at all three levels and is particularly hard to guard off the bounce. He runs the floor well and is an effective cutter without the ball. Defensively, he has stopper tools and plays with a high motor and toughness on that end of the floor. He's a quality rebounder, shows the ability to slide over from the help side to block shots, and is willing to give his body up to take a charge. He'll look to make a major impact this winter at <em>Premier</em> and should be on the radar of D2 and D3 programs in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1532445"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dd973f51411"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wertz, a standout at the <em>NEPSAC Showcase</em>, had a terrific summer while playing with the <em>Middlesex Magic</em>, putting his name on the map as a high level prospect. With good positional size and solid feel for the game, Wertz profiles as a do-it-all wing at the next level. A high-level shooter from behind the arc, Wertz moves well without the ball and quickly explodes into his shot. He's a fluid mover that can put the ball on the floor for multiple bounces while making good reads. Defensively, he moves well laterally and does a good job of rotating out of the help position. He can guard multiple positions and rebounds by the rim in space. Gyms will certainly be filled with high academic coaches for his games this winter and he should be a standout in the <em>NEPSAC</em> for <em>Governor's</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529122"],"_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"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66dd973f5144f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harris, one of the ultimate glue-guys in New England, had a strong summer for the <em>Middlesex Magic</em> on the <em>HGSL</em>. A big, physical wing that does a bit of everything on both ends of the floor, Harris has proven to be a prospect that does whatever it takes to win. He had solid positional size, a college ready frame, and plays with a motor that never stops. He has a nose for the ball on the offensive glass, fights for tough baskets in the paint, and is a consistent perimeter shooter in catch-and-shoot situations. He's fundamentally sound, does a great job of boxing out, and always seems to be in the right position defensively. With how hard he plays and the physical gifts he's working with, he's capable of effectively guarding almost every spot on the floor. He's a priority recruit for high academic D3's in New England and should be a top performer for <em>Lawrence Academy</em> this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->