-The flashes are becoming more and more consistent for one of the area’s best kept secrets in the rising junior. Wylie was an efficient 8/11 from the floor en route to 16 points and 5 rebounds in a win over Polaris Prep. Wylie showed off a more refined set of post moves, has improved his off hand touch in the paint, and is playing through contact much better around the rim. I also liked what I saw on his elbow catches as Wylie is simplifying the game to jab and go to get downhill to the rim. His improved athleticism also popped several times but none more memorable than a contested rebound and 1-step poster dunk with the right through contact in the paint for the AND-1 bucket.

New Hope went 2-0 Saturday with Wylie leading the team in scoring in both games at 15 points per contest. The talented forward got off to a hot start against Polaris Prep and never really slowed down. An athletic and hard-playing finisher, Wylie was nearly unstoppable around the rim, shooting 12-for-14 inside the arc while also going 2-for-5 from beyond it. His best basketball remains ahead of him, but after a strong club season, it was encouraging to see Wylie continue producing at a high level.

Wylie has an impressive combination of size and athleticism at 6-foot-8, and puts together stretches of dominance on the offensive end.

Wylie posted 14 points in a blowout 47-24 win over Life Male Steam, showing nice shooting touch and finishing ability. Wylie is a relative newcomer to basketball, and is only scratching the surface of his potential.

You won’t find many others who are as high on Wylie as I am long term. The bloodlines are rich on the hardwood and at his size around 6’7″-6’8″, the skill has blended fluidly and as time progresses, he looks more and more like a legitimate combo forward than a 4/5. The way he goes up to snag rebounds with intensity was a great sign of confidence and assertiveness in ways that I haven’t seen before. Even on his dunks from the baseline, there was a tenacity to his finishing where Wylie was looking to send a statement. You can’t help as a viewer feeling a little jolt of energy when he’s flushing it down with power, but his effort doesn’t disappear on the defensive end. He’s looking to rotate quickly and swat shots away in the paint, close down possessions and did a nice job of guarding his yard in space when he was switched onto primary ball handlers in screens. Wylie stood out in different ways throughout the weekend, but was key in winning a tough matchup against Polaris Prep (CAN) as he scored 16PTS on 8/11 from the field.

Wylie is a guy I expect to have a huge season and will be included in more preseason content this fall. One of the higher upside prospects in the local 2028 class, Wylie brings a unique blend of size, skill and athleticism that not many others can match. He gained significant experience this spring/summer as the focal point for Team Takeover Showcase 16s and looks to parlay that this winter as the primary option for New Hope. The flashes he provided as a sophomore were loud, but his team was equipped with guys who could take the pressure off him from a playmaking standpoint. This season will be different in that he’ll be expected to generate things on this own while also providing a rim presence defensively. He has the capability of checking all the boxes, now we wait to see if he’s up for the challenge.

Another rangy forward who is really just starting to understand how good he can be, Wylie can also put up points on on multiple levels and rebound at a high rate. As he expands the range on his jumper and continues to refine his handle, the upside here is significant.

Former Rank: 38

-Wylie has been a really fun watch this summer as a dynamic frontcourt prospect that is taking some strides as a leader for NHA. Wylie can knock down open 18′ jumpers, has improved his touch around the rim both on post hooks and putbacks, and is more often in the correct spot to block shots or deter line drives to the rim to serve as a more effective defensive anchor for NHA. The most exciting part is that our staff of scouts believes his best basketball is ahead of him as a versatile frontcourt prospect with a ton of upside.

Wylie is a Swiss-army knife who finds different ways to score the rock. Like the way he is able to set up shop on the block. If he gets you sealed there is a high chance of converting a scoring chance. I like his baby hook shot he likes to use when he is inside. He communicates with his teammates on the defensive end of the floor. Wylie’s shear size allows him to cover ground with ease and extend out to the perimeter. I want to see him use fakes more when he is trying to score around traffic.

A massive riser, the No. 41 slot could be just the start for Wylie, who emerged late in the year as a 6-foot-7 southpaw forward with endless potential. Not only is his game still growing, I wouldn’t be shocked if Wylie grows 2-to-3 more inches before his high school career is done. Even for now, he presents as a mismatch with his ability to score inside or out. In the Maryland Private School State Tournament, he helped lift New Hope to the semifinals with a game-winning triple at the top of the key and converted on his total shots from beyond the arc at a 55 percent clip throughout the two games. His versatility at both ends will make him a hot commodity this spring/summer, which will give him even more of a chance to improve on an already meteoric rise from No. 137 to No. 41.

Arguably the biggest stock riser for me personally is Wylie, a skilled, 6-foot-7 southpaw hybrid forward who brings intriguing fluidity and versatility. As a result of his performance late this season, the upside is evident and so will be the bump he receives in the rankings update coming in a couple of weeks. New Hope was a semifinal exit against Mt. Zion as a result of Polk’s buzzer beater, but in the two games Wylie averaged 15 points and five rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field and 56 percent from three. One of his five made three’s in the two-game span came in the quarterfinal upset with under five seconds left to lift New Hope over Severn. There’s a ton to like here with Wylie and he cemented himself on our radars to watch closely heading into the spring/summer.