Summer Hoops Radar Watch: Class of 2029 SFs

Many players in the class of 2029 put forth great seasons in their freshman year of school ball. Some of those same players are performing well in the early going of the summer hoops season. Here are five small forwards who could be in for a big sophomore season in their 2026-2027 school seasons.    [player_tooltip player_id='1166714' first='Nora' last='Lehner'] had a great first year of high school hoops.   Lehner for Columbia Academy provided a ton of versatility. At 6'0", she provides some high-level shot blocking and has the capability to step outside and knock down 3-pointers.   Lehenr is an above-average lateral mover, helping her act as a big wing player instead of a post player. This movement especially shows up in her game on the defensive end when she guards out on the perimeter.   Lehner is also a good connector on offense. She does a great job at keeping the ball moving in offensive sets and relocating.       [player_tooltip player_id='1172241' first='McKenna' last='Miller']'s potential is extremely high.   In her freshman season for Pope John Paul II High School, Miller had some really good moments. One area that the 6'3" rising sophomore excelled in was shot blocking. Miller does a great job at keeping her hands high and timing up her opponents' shots without any dramatic blocking motion that would warrant a foul. In a contest against Friendship Christian High School, she recorded three blocks.   Miller on the offensive end also has good fundamentals. On rebounds, she keeps the ball high to limit smaller defenders from having a chance to get steals. She also has a good scoring touch from the free throw line and in. Both of these parts of her game were showcased in a game against LaVergne High School. She had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.     [player_tooltip player_id='1166569' first='Camille' last='Thomas'], in her first year of high school basketball, has already found a way to impact the game when she is on the court in multiple ways.   Thomas does a bit of everything when she is on the court. For one her elite defensive abilities allow her to guard players 1-5 on the floor in most cases. She is a constant steal threat, especially when it comes to jumping passing lanes. The mix of her speed, basketball IQ, and her long strides all play into this. In a game/scrimmage against Houston County High School last school season Thomas had six steals. Thomas' promise as a good interior defender was seen in a game against Battle Ground Academy, where she recorded five blocks.   On offense, Thomas is a capable 3-point shooter and a great fastbreak scorer. Her speed going downhill is a big part of her being a good scorer in transition.     [player_tooltip player_id='1306523' first='Eleanor' last='Vogus'], in year one, has already proven she has the potential to be one of the best players in her class.   Vogus, first off, is an elite defender. She can play both out on the perimeter and on the inside. Vogus is an effective, versatile defender in part because she has a good understanding of defensive rotations. With her above-average basketball knowledge, she finds herself in good spots to get helpside blocks and contest often in games.   Vogus is also a great rebounder and floor spacer with her 3-point shooting. All of these skills were displayed by Vogus in the past school season, especially in a game against Hickman County High School. In the contest, she recorded a triple-double, getting 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists     Defense, defense, defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1311526' first='Cortney' last='Bills'] is an elite defender already, and it will be exciting to see just how good she can get in her high school hoops career.   Last season, at Bartlett High School, Bills caused havoc in many games for opposing offenses. Bills, especially, is good as a backline/interior defender. From there, she can pick off passing lanes well. In one game against Harding Academy, she had six steals.   Bills also moves extremely well laterally, helping her get blocks, and is a good defender in post-up situations. In a game against Arlington High School, she had four blocks. Bills is also one of the better rebounders on the court when she plays.

Many players in the class of 2029 put forth great seasons in their freshman year of school ball. Some of those same players are performing well in the early going of the summer hoops season. Here are five small forwards who could be in for a big sophomore season in their 2026-2027 school seasons.