2028 Watchlist: W/F/C’s to Track

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school programs across the Southland are either preparing for a potential playoff run or regrouping for next season as league play has officially come to a close. With a full regular season of viewing in the books, we were able to see some of the best freshmen in the region and develop a 50 prospect watchlist for the class of 2028. Below we break down some of the best freshmen wings, forwards and centers we've watched at some point this fall and winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750252' first='Carter' last='Parker'] | Vazquez </h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker's combination of size, length and athleticism on the wing make him an effective slasher and finisher in transition offense. He uses his long strides to cover ground quickly and his length to extend to the rim for finishes. Parker also has deep range on his three-point shot off the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750216' first='Devin' last='Mitchell'] | Etiwanda</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell is an anticipatory defender who uses his quick reaction time, length and athleticism to shoot passing lanes for steals or disrupt ball handlers with his sturdy and smart on-ball defense. Offensively, Mitchell is a slasher and scorer in transition and half-court offense who can drive his way to the rim and finish with floaters or above the rim finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750239' first='Eli' last='Simmons'] | Heritage Christian</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simmons is primed to be a second-generation standout for the Warriors as he follows in the footsteps of his brother, Tae, a current Heritage senior who is heading to San Diego State next fall. Eli takes after his brother with his burly frame and explosive vertical athleticism which allow him to be impactful in various ways on both ends of the floor. Simmons gets out and runs the floor in transition, works hard on the offensive and defensive boards and is a powerful finisher at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750218' first='Ethan' last='Hill'] | Brentwood</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hill has a rare skill-set for a young big man with his high level feel with his back to the basket. Hill is 6-feet-5 with a burly 225-plus pound frame. The forward/center uses his body to seal deep post position and then maximizes those touches by using his footwork, touch with both hands and shot fakes to get defenders out of position and score at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2561222' first='Evan' last='Willis'] | Mater Dei</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We wrote about Willis a couple weeks ago after a strong double-double effort at the Nike Extravaganza. The 6-foot-7 wing/forward uses his fluid athleticism and long, wiry frame to slash to the rim in transition, elevate and score at the rim. Willis already has really good defensive instincts and lateral mobility and he has a chance to become a versatile perimeter defender as he continues to grow into his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->