2020 Rankings Update: Top Small Forwards/Wings
With the latest edition of Junior Class rankings, we have had some movement up and down the class and added over 20 players to the rankings, bringing the total to 100 total. The small forward/wing group is one of the…
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Continue ReadingWith the latest edition of Junior Class rankings, we have had some movement up and down the class and added over 20 players to the rankings, bringing the total to 100 total. The small forward/wing group is one of the best position groups in the class, possibly the top overall. Here’s a look at the top wings and small forwards in the Junior rankings.
- Jackson Sivills, McCracken County – Jackson has been ranked at the top of the class for over a year and is potentially going to pick up high major offers this summer. He only slipped in the overall rankings thanks to the return of Justin Powell. In his first year as the main scoring option at McCracken, Sivills thrived. He averaged 20 points and 8 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field and just shy of 40% from behind the three point line. Jackson is blessed with a high basketball IQ and his ceiling is only limited by how good of a lateral defender he will be. If he shows he can guard elite wings, he’ll prove he is one too.
- Kenny White, Madisonville-North Hopkins – Speaking of possibly elite wings, White has all the pieces to be a top 250 level player. Kenny has just lacked the motor and consistency to be recruited at that level. He showed his full bag at Rupp Arena earlier this month for two games and had Madisonville a possession away from the State Final 4. If White plays with the motor and energy he showed at Rupp on a consistent basis, he could make a case for being top ranked player in this class and a high major recruit.
- Howard Fleming, Male – Howard was among the top prospects in the class for the first 2 years of ranking them but consistent injury issues have caused him to slip to the mid teens. Fleming has good size and skill but is still a little on the skinny side to be a wing at the next level. The biggest asset to Howard is his IQ and feel for the game. The first time I saw him play, I thought he could be D’Angelo Russell 2.0. I’ve not given up on him by any means but this is a major AAU season coming up for the young man from Louisville.
- Brayden Sebastian, Garrard County – Sebastian put up huge numbers all season long for the Lions, averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds per contest while being named to several postseason award teams and generally having one of the most impressive offensive seasons in the state last year. Sebastian has made a living on attacking the rim and making a ton of free throws. He doesn’t attempt many threes and doesn’t guard many athletes. His ceiling as a college prospect will be determined by his ability to get past athletes and show he can guard them too.
- Terrin Hamilton, Scott County – Last on this list, Hamilton has a ton of potential but has yet to put it all together. Stuck playing the post a lot at Scott County due to the staggering number of small guards on the roster, Terrin should see more time playing the wing in AAU and next season with the Cards. At 6’6 and very long, Hamilton checks a lot of boxes as a wing prospect but he’s going to have to prove to college coaches that he can play there and guard other wings instead of sitting on the block all season.
Other Names to Know:
- Trey Brock, Middlesboro – Big time athlete and a good defender, if Brock puts it all together, watch out.
- Matthew Taylor, Corbin – Great IQ and highly skilled, Taylor should contend for 13th region POY next season.
- Nathan Mack, Frederick Douglass – Potential to be a college player but always waiting to see more from him.
- Chez Moore, Louisville Collegiate – Super athletic wing is going to need to show he can shoot it better this summer.
- Dre Boyd, Warren Central – Hyper-competitive and a winner, Boyd helped get the Dragons to the Final 4 at Rupp.