DE Summer Rankings Update: 2028 Notebook (1/2)

Chad Graham June 19, 2025 @ 11:19 PM

The 2028 class is slowly taking shape, now that everyone is getting the chance to show the range of their talents at the grassroots level or with their high school team. Here's the first part of the 2028 Summer Notebook:   Lead Guards Playing Up   [player_tooltip player_id='2461962' first='Elijah' last='Coates'] worked his way into the starting point guard role at William Penn as a freshman and helped the Colonials reach the second round of the state tournament. He then parlayed that into a featured role with Cecil Strive Elite 16U. There, the springy guard has been wreaking havoc as a two-way nightmare, tilting the defense off the dribble, finishing above the rim, and turning opposing guards over. Now at St. Georges, he looks to continue his upward trajectory and elevate a Hawks team that made it to the Bob.   Another standout for Cecil Strive Elite 16U, [player_tooltip player_id='2450966' first='Benji' last='Thomas'] is on a different path. He played 15U last summer as a 14 year old, with the program's 2027 class. Then as a freshman at Salesianum, he made Varsity, but didn't get consistent minutes. However the shortage of playing time didn't equate to him not developing. Thomas returned to his grassroots team hungrier and more focused. He's their 6th man, leading their second unit as a primary initiator who can also shoot the three. Thomas is now ready to start for a Sallies team who will be one of the preseason favorites going into next season.   Prospects Breaking Through   [player_tooltip player_id='2546410' first='Nafir' last='Salters'] | 6'1 G 2028 St. Elizabeth   Based on what he's displayed since the end of the high school season, Salters looks like he'll be a major contributor for the Vikings and one of the more productive guards in his class. He stuffs the stat sheet with his activity on the boards and his intensity on defense. He's still ironing out the offensive game, but Salters profiles as a bully-ball guard who gets to the cup with strength-based creation and makes connective passes.   [player_tooltip player_id='2613325' first='Brady' last='Esser'] | 6'1 G 2028 Salesianum   Esser is on track to be a highly decorated soccer player who continues on that route at the next level. However, he has almost as much talent on the hardwood. He didn't make Varsity at all last season. Instead, he was busy leading the JV team to an 18-2 record. Esser is well-rounded guard who thrives in transition. Likely due to soccer background, he maneuvers so smoothly in the open floor, swerving around defenders before laying the ball up with either hand. Because he's so well-rounded, Esser doesn't seem to have a "position" yet. But he does have the feel and flexibility to crack the Varsity rotation as a sophomore.   [player_tooltip player_id='2564246' first='Corey' last='Williams'] | 5'7 G 2028 St. Georges   Both quick and fast with the ball in his hand, Williams's playing was up and down in the winter. Now running with Philly Pride 302, he's able to stretch out and showcase the full range of his abilities. He has the gas to blow by his man and the variations of footwork to decelerate and evade help defenders on his way to the hoop. And when the paint is clogged, the middy jumper is his go-to counter. His speed might make him more dangerous as an off-ball defender than on-ball because he can fly in out of nowhere and pick off passes. With a returning trio of forwards in the frontcourt, Williams is primed to make an impact and potentially get the Hawks over the hump.

The 2028 class is slowly taking shape, now that everyone is getting the chance to show the range of their talents at the grassroots level or with their high school team. Here's the first part of the 2028 Summer Notebook: