Lyons won last year’s award as a non-senior and while I think it’s a long shot that something like that takes place this season, Avery would be my 2028 candidate if I had to choose one. He’s going to be the end-all, be-all for Spalding this season and based off his play in June, the results could be promising. There’s no question that he has the ability and talent to completely dominate a game a both ends. Maintaining a high motor in the process will be key in sustaining the level of production that he showed a couple of months back. Teams will obviously scheme everything towards stopping Avery, but he has the talent to destroy scouting reports with his versatility, athleticism and two-way ability.

No change at the top as Avery remains No. 1 despite Kareem Bey-Smith making the race extremely interesting. There was no denying the production and consistency as a two-way force that Avery has shown since May. The potential and upside remain clear, but the mentality to go out there and dominate like he’s able to ran hot and cold throughout the fall and winter. If Avery has truly turned a corner and set his mindset to having his fingerprints all over the game like he has been over the last two month, his grip on the top spot will only become stronger. After averaging 18.1PPG, 8.1RPG and 2.6BPG, Avery is off to a solid start in Peach Jam play with Team Melo 16s putting up 11.5PPG, 8RPG and 3BPG.

Nash 17p 3r 2b (6/8 FG) vs All Ohio

-Our newly minted #1 in the class had a great 2H performance to a win that sealed off a higher seed line in next week’s Peach Jam against a scrappy All Ohio group. Avery walked into a 3 off the bounce in the secondary break, hit a face-up 3 off the catch late in the game to put his team up 2 scores, took a defensive rebound coast to coast before he hit a beautiful spin move between two defenders to lay it off the window, rotated over to block 2 shots off the glass as a helper, and cut to the weak side short corner to catch and finish with 2 hands for safety to break the fullcourt pressure from All Ohio. Avery’s ability to take over games once he gets himself going is starting to become a more well-rounded affair, with defense leading to offense to get him in a zone to win games for his team.

I wrote prior to S2 that Avery may have stiff competition at the No. 1 overall ranking as the update drops later this month, but the skilled, 6’8″ forward displayed the level of dominance that I’ve been waiting for across a sample of games that regained hold of his top spot. Not only was he punishing rims, operating in the mid-range with efficiency and making good decisions off the dribble, Avery was also an absolute game-changer defensively. His timing on weak side rotations as a shot blocker were key as was his pursuit of rebounds at their peak to close down possessions and start fast breaks. He ended S2 with an involved stat line of 21.5PPG, 9.3RPG and 3.7 stocks per game.

Fresh off a nice showing at Nike Top 100 Camp, Avery looked the part that many college coaches in attendance were hoping for. The athletic 6-foot-8 forward had his hands all over the game in their victory over Takoma Academy. There’s no questioning the potential that Avery poses as he has one of the higher ceilings in the region regardless of class, but putting more outings like he did here with 27PTS (9-of-12 FG) and 13REBS will convince more programs that the potential is now legitimate production.

With Skipworth making the move to Montverde (FL), Avery automatically slides in as the No. 1 ranked prospect with Kareem Smith-Bey Kareem Smith-Bey 6'5" | SG St. John's College | 2028 State #88 Nation MD closing the gap closely. It’ll be a tough call when the updated rankings drop next month, but Avery was his usual self flashing his supreme athleticism above the rim offensively this past weekend. Combine the seniors lost from last year’s team as well as Braxton Bogard Braxton Bogard 6'8" | PF Masters Academy International | 2028 State #62 Nation New E transferring to a destination that is TBD, all signs point to Avery being the guy if Spalding wants to make a run in the BCL/MIAA. The 6-foot-8 forward averaging 14.8PPG, 7.0RPG and 2.5BPG as the Cavaliers went 1-3 overall. It was good seeing Avery be a rim presence defensively as he has all the tools to be an elite shot disruptor when he wants to be engaged at that end.

Expecting a huge spring and summer on the horizon for Avery, who is one of the more gifted athletes when scanning a talented 2028 national class. The versatile 6-foot-8 forward will be the bell cow for this Melo 16s group and have the freedom to grab-and-go after hauling in defensive rebounds to lead transition opportunities and showcase his playmaking skills. Over the weekend he had several possessions where he tapped into another gear while in space and blew by defenders with a clear takeoff path and once that opportunity presents, there are very few who can deny him above the rim. Also had moments in picking his spots against the zone from the perimeter as his offensive skillset continues to round itself out. One of the more tenacious shot blockers you’ll find in the region, Avery looks to become a certified national name that quickly climbs up boards despite already being considered a top-50 prospect depending on which recruiting service you frequent.

-Avery showed his value as a versatile wing prospect that continues to add to his game for the Cavaliers. Avery proved much more capable of taking his matchup off the bounce from the wing, made improvements to his motor and attention to detail defensively, and improved his handle to get him up into his jumpshot more cleanly off the bounce. Consistency in his production will be key to turning heads this summer as a dynamic wing prospect with a ton of upside. But Avery possesses possibly the highest long-term upside in the class.

Avery and Spalding went down in a tough overtime defeat but the versatile and athletic forward still stood out as the top long-term prospect in either matchup. He was particularly effective in the second half and overtime, scoring 15 of his 19 points after halftime once he turned his energy up and committed to imposing his will near the basket. Avery flushed a handful of easy dunks and repeatedly found his way to the line where he converted 9 of his 10 attempts. His defensive activity was also noteworthy as he racked up 3 blocks while showcasing his blend of size, mobility, and explosiveness. The ceiling is undeniable for Avery as he learns to consistently streamline his approach.

19p 5r 2a 2b 9/13 FG vs John Carroll

-Avery showed the full skillset as a wing that can take his matchup off the bounce, hit midrange jumpers off of movement, be a dynamic play-finisher in transition, and serve as a mobile shot-blocker on the backline. Nash started things off with a baseline pullup going right, knocked down a face up 1-dribble J from the left elbow, threw down two alley oop finishes, dove to the rim off the back screen to catch and finish through contact, and showed a much-improved motor running the floor hard at both ends. His mobility in ball screen coverages will be crucial in the semifinal tonight against a SFA team that likes to play with pace.