Summer Hoops Radar Watch: Class of 2028 Centers

The class of 2028 had many players stand out at the center position. Here are five 2028 centers to take note of during the summer hoops season, as they could be in for big junior seasons.    [player_tooltip player_id='1811123' first='Jaslyn' last='Butler'] has all the makings of a collegiate player, and she showcased that in her sophomore season with Rhea County High School.   Butler's interior game is dominant on both offense and defense. Offensively, she has good post moves. That includes a great drop step that she implements at times to get open shots in the paint. Butler is also a solid scorer in traffic and rarely lets other defenders affect her shot attempt down low. Butler, at 6'4", is also always an offensive rebound threat. She maneuvers well to establish a good rebounding position, and if she gets an offensive board, she often converts it to a second-chance score.   On defense, Butler is an unbelievable shot-blocker. She displays good athleticism for her height, as she is able to jump and make athletic blocks. She can also just alter shots with her height and court awareness.   Multiple games this past season, she had two or more blocks in a game. This includes an outing against Silverdale Baptist Academy, where Butler logged four blocks.         [player_tooltip player_id='1155048' first='Destini' last='Ligons'] is one of the better back-to-the-basket scorers at the center position in the class of 2028.   If Ligons gets the ball in the post, more times than not, she is generating an ideal shot. She has a high offensive IQ and reads what her assigned defender does, as well as what potential help defenders may do. She can score off fallaway little float shots and jumpers down low, and can also score just by using her strength to create an open layup.   On defense, Ligons moves extremely well. She is a great help-side defender. Many times last season for Blackman High School, she generated steals by getting in passing lanes. Also, she blocked plenty of shots by sliding over on defense and using her height and athleticism to shut down what would have been open looks. Ligons is also usually the best rebounder on the floor when she plays. She is always a player who is capable of logging a double-double.     [player_tooltip player_id='1248884' first='Chloe' last='Pearson'] is one of the more versatile bigs in her class.   Pearson, although listed as a center, is more than capable of playing out on the perimeter on offense. She has a lethal 3-point jumper and is more than comfortable knocking it down from all areas around the arc.   Pearson, being a great off-the-ball mover helps her generate open looks from distance. She does a good job at flaring to a wing or to the top of the key to create an open 3-point look. Pearson is also good at knocking down 3-pointers by trailing plays and capitalizing on the open space she gets in these actions. In a game against Community High School this past season, she made four 3-pointers.   Pearson is also a great rebounder and disruptor inside with her shot blocking.     [player_tooltip player_id='822479' first='Addy' last='Gravelle'] showed signs of being an elite player in the class of 2028 this past season.   Gravelle at Cleveland High School displayed a defensive skillset that gives her the potential to be one of the best defenders in her whole class. Gravelle has great lateral foot speed. Pairing that with her size makes her a great post defender. Gravelle also has above-average athleticism for her height.   She is a great shot blocker, and a blocked shot on a specific play from last season highlighted her athleticism in a big way. Gravelle from the paint sprinted out and was able to block a perimeter shot by a guard who was left wide open.   Gravelle on offense is a great cutter. She has good instincts for when an opportunity is there for a backdoor and score. She also has a good midrange jumper in her game that she can go to.     [player_tooltip player_id='1317834' first='Serenity' last='Johnson'] had some great moments in her sophomore season for South Gibson High School.   Johnson on defense can defend both on the wing and in the paint. If put out on the wing, she does a great job at keeping her assignment in front of her. This is even the case if they are smaller and a bit quicker. Johnson's high-level defensive slides also help in the paint when rotating to contest an interior shot.   On offense, Johnson has a solid perimeter jumper. Her left-hand shot is especially effective in the corner. Johnson, with her above-average speed at the center position, is also a great fastbreak scorer.

The class of 2028 had many players stand out at the center position. Here are five 2028 centers to take note of during the summer hoops season, as they could be in for big junior seasons.