Rankings are always an interesting discussion point. We know it’s an opinion-based practice heavily predicated on what the viewer values in a player. Some people value a pure scorer more than a true point guard, and assuming the players are of equal level, they could both form legitimate arguments. As we approach the halfway point of the travel ball season, there’s no better time to take a closer look at what young prospects are trending upward. Although we haven’t started the ranking process for the rising sophomores, there are plenty of players worthy of acknowledgement in the Class of 2028. This continually updating series will look at several individuals over these next few weeks (reminder that these are not rankings nor in any particular order) …
6’6 Mason Collins (Christ School/Team CP3)
Although there is no specific order, it would be interesting to hear an argument against Mason Collins holding the top spot. We’ve asserted this sentiment multiple times over the recent months, especially as he’s continued to make a lasting impression during the travel ball season. Collins simply possesses the full package. At 6-foot-6, he’s smart, skilled, and athletic with an all-around game. Collins is such a malleable, low-maintenance player that he’s capable of producing in all types of roles. He can dictate the offense as a primary creator, operate as a connecting piece, or operate without the ball. Collins has virtually no weaknesses in his game. He’s a knockdown shooter who consistently hits jumpers off the catch and bounce while being unselfish and making quality decisions. When opponents closeout hard, Collins is largely unbothered. He’s comfortable attacking closeouts or generating openings for others. Collins is a useful self-creator who doesn’t look to dominate the ball or do too much. Although he’s an efficient scoring option and willing playmaker, he also impacts the game as a defender and rebounder. Collins is able to comfortably defend two or three positions, secure rebounds well for his size, and push the break effectively in transition. Given his high-floor/high-ceiling type of identity, it’s extremely difficult to envision a scenario where Collins isn’t a major prospect.
6’7 Julian Tweedy (Cary Academy/SW15H Elite)
Right now, it feels like more people should be discussing Julian Tweedy as one of the top prospects in his class. The upside should be obvious, but he’s already quite an impactful player. Tweedy is an incredibly long, fluid wing/forward with an enticing blend of skill, athleticism, and inside-out ability for a player of his size. Though he’s still progressing as a creator, Tweedy is already capable of causing matchup problems with the ball in his hands. He possesses some type of athletic advantage against basically every type of opponent. Tweedy’s size and length allow him to dwarf smaller defenders, while his athleticism and ball skills make him problematic for bigger opponents. Whether getting downhill, hitting jumpers, or moving without the ball, he’s shown a lot of flexibility in his offensive arsenal. Tweedy utilizes his motor and physical tools to maintain a consistent rebounding presence on both ends of the floor. That being said, his versatile defensive presence is arguably as intriguing as any trait. Tweedy can already comfortably toggle between three positions defensively, reliably contain smaller guards on switches, and accumulate both blocks and steals at an impressive rate. Tweedy has no shortage of tools or abilities and could easily finish as one of the top prospects in this class.
6’9 Xavier Hall (Lakewood/Team CP3)
Even as times have changed, big men are still incredibly important to the structure of a successful team. It’s widely known that players with size develop slower than their peers but Xavier Hall already has the clear makings of a high-major prospect. At 6-foot-9 with mobility and long arms, Hall possesses a very enticing array of physical tools. He moves extremely well for his size and already appears comfortable switching onto smaller guards in space. However, most of Hall’s value comes around the basket. He’s a tremendous rebounder with the length, strength, and positioning to legitimately dominate the glass on both ends of the floor. Even when he’s unable to secure the ball, he seems to get his hands on every possible rebound. Defensively, Hall already displays an understanding of how to anchor the paint, block shots, and wall up to alter shots without fouling. On the other end, he finishes well with both hands around the basket and plays above the rim on lobs and drop-offs in transition. Hall excels as a low-maintenance cog who naturally produces within the flow of the action. Based on his current trajectory, all signs point to him being a nationally recognized player sooner than later.
6’8 Chase Smith (Queens Grant/Team United)
Although there are a lot of highly polished prospects in North Carolina’s Class of 2028, one could argue Chase Smith is currently as impactful as anyone. He’s already a really reliable two-way forward/post player with touch, strength, and quality interior instincts on both ends of the floor. Smith is comfortable operating from the block or midrange area, where he’s capable of finishing through contact, scoring over his shoulder, or attacking within a few dribbles. He can space the floor to knock down the occasional perimeter jumper. That being said, Smith also provides a ton of value with his rebounding ability and overall defensive presence. He possesses great hands and tends to secure the majority of rebounds around his area. Smith displays a quality motor and general understanding of how to utilize his body to his advantage. He’s a solid all-around athlete who moves well for his size and plays above the rim when available. Defensively, Smith does a great job of altering shots and containing smaller players on switches. He also fills the lane properly in transition. Given how rapidly he progressed throughout the course of the high school season, all signs point to Smith being a priority for Division I programs.
5’10 AJ Morman (Southern Durham/Garner Road)
The point guard grouping is pretty loaded in North Carolina’s Class of 2028, and AJ Morman is arguably trending up as much as any of them. He’s smart, crafty, and understands how to completely command a team as a floor general. Given his young, progressing frame, Morman has a ton of upside within his physical development. That being said, he’s already an incredibly dynamic creator with excellent IQ, pace, and instincts with the ball in his hands. Morman is a sharp playmaker who sees the floor extremely well and consistently makes the right decision off the bounce. Although he shows a clear emphasis on setting up others, Morman is more than capable of asserting himself as a scorer from various areas. He knifes through the lane with ease and finishes very well for his size, but also quickly identifies when defenses collapses and openings emerge. Morman knocks down jumpers along the perimeter and makes the extra pass whenever available. On the other end of the floor, he’s a pesky defender with great quickness and the ability to mirror opposing guards. Morman anticipates well to force turnovers and lead the break in transition. It feels like Morman should continue trending upward and collecting Division I offers.
6’1 Jaleel Smith (Huss/Team United)
Although this list is not in a particular order, it is shocking that we were even able to come up with five names worthy of being in the same breath as Jaleel Smith. While that might sound a bit overzealous, Smith has arguably been in a league of his own based on production. Between his trajectory in eighth grade and his ridiculously impressive freshman campaign, it’s easy to see what makes him one of the absolute best players in North Carolina’s Class of 2028. Smith is an extremely smart, refined guard who can do basically everything on the court. He’s as polished a freshman scorer as you’ll find in high school basketball. Smith effortlessly creates clean looks for himself and others while mixing it up frequently from all levels. He’s a solid three-point shooter who gets wherever he wants off the bounce, attacks the basket at a constant rate, and makes intelligent decisions with the ball in his hands. Smith is a quality athlete with a strong frame at this stage in his development. He displays great energy and sharp instincts as a defender at the point of attack, and forces turnovers at a nice rate. Given everything he’s shown over two seasons of high school play, it’s difficult to envision Smith slowing down any time soon.