Finest Magazine 26-27 DMV Preseason CBB Watchlist: Small Forward

The small forward position continues to evolve. Today’s wing has to do much more than simply knock down open shots. The most valuable players at the position can defend multiple spots, rebound outside their area, attack closeouts, make plays with the ball in their hands and create matchup problems depending on who is guarding them.

This year’s FM Watchlist Small Forwards features a diverse group of players ranging from proven veterans and high-level transfers to young prospects with significant upside. Some are established two-way pieces, while others have an opportunity to take a major step forward with expanded roles.

Here are the players to keep an eye on this season.

Jayden Harris / UMass-Lowell 6'7" / 190 lbs / Redshirt Sophomore

Harris is an intriguing young wing because of the versatility he brings at 6-foot-7. After averaging 6.3 points and 2.6 rebounds at Eastern Kentucky, the redshirt sophomore has an opportunity to carve out a bigger role at UMass-Lowell.

His ability to operate as either a combo guard or wing gives him some flexibility offensively. Harris has the length and athleticism to play above his listed position, and his ability to make threes gives him a foundation to work from when defenses leave him open.

The next step is physical development. Adding some strength to his 190-pound frame should help him handle contact better, particularly when attacking the basket, fighting through physical defenders and battling for rebounds.

UMass-Lowell head coach Duane? [The supplied quote identifies “Duquette.”] emphasized Harris' skill level, length and athleticism while specifically pointing out his rebounding ability. That could become an important part of his identity moving forward.

Blake Harper / VCU / 6'7" / 220 lbs / Junior

Harper enters VCU with something that cannot be taught: proven production. During his time at Howard, he dominated the MEAC, averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists while earning conference Player of the Year honors.

His move to Creighton was a different experience. Harper averaged 7.7 points and 3.6 rebounds while splitting time as a part-time starter, but the numbers don't tell the entire story. He still shot 36.4% from three, showing that the perimeter shooting translated even when his overall role changed.

At VCU, Harper should have an opportunity to get back to being the versatile offensive weapon that made him so productive at Howard.

The matchup possibilities are especially interesting. VCU's coaching staff views him as a perimeter player who can bring the ball up, operate out of the post against smaller defenders and attack bigger defenders from the perimeter.

That makes Harper difficult to pigeonhole.

Put a smaller guard on him and he has the size to play around the basket. Put a bigger forward on him and he can pull that defender away from the rim and attack off the bounce or create an open three.

Greg Jones / American / 6'6" / 200 lbs / Senior

Jones enters his senior season looking to get back to the version of himself that made such an impact earlier in his career.

He averaged 12.5 points and 4.8 rebounds last season, but American believes his best basketball comes when he doesn't have to force offense. Jones was part of a championship team where his defensive ability and efficiency allowed him to complement other primary offensive options.

Last season, he was asked to expand his offensive responsibilities, including creating shots off the bounce. According to head coach Duane Simpkins, that isn't necessarily where Jones is at his best.

His strengths are more straightforward — closing out with his length, attacking closeouts, knocking down preset threes and making plays within the flow of the offense.

That distinction could be important this season.

Rather than asking Jones to become something he's not, American can put him in situations where his strengths naturally translate.

Abdou Khadre Kébé / Mount St. Mary's / 6'7" / 195 lbs / Junior

Kébé's development is one of the more intriguing stories on this list.

The Senegalese wing missed the first eight games of last season but eventually made enough of an impact to earn All-MAAC Defensive honors. At 6-foot-7, his length and defensive versatility give Mount St. Mary's a player who can influence the game without needing a high offensive usage rate.

Now the challenge is extending that impact offensively.

Kébé shot 27.8% from three last season, and improving that number could completely change how opposing defenses have to guard him. His coaching staff believes that if he can push his three-point shooting into the mid-30s, his overall profile becomes extremely difficult to deal with.

The combination of size, defensive ability and improved shooting is exactly what teams look for in a modern 3-and-D wing.

Baba Oladotun / Maryland / 6'10" / 205 lbs / Freshman

Oladotun enters College Park with significant expectations.

Ranked No. 9 by 247Sports and No. 15 by Rivals, he reclassified from the 2027 class and arrives at Maryland as one of the highest-rated additions of the last 15 years.

But the most interesting part of his profile may be what he can do defensively.

At 6-foot-10, Oladotun has the size to play around the frontcourt while possessing the mobility to defend multiple positions. Maryland's coaching staff has been particularly impressed by his willingness and ability to guard across the floor.

Offensively, his versatility could create space for the rest of the roster. His ability to operate around the 17-foot area and potentially stretch the floor beyond the arc gives Maryland another way to create spacing.

For a young player with his size, the combination of defensive versatility and perimeter skill is what makes his development worth watching closely.

Andrew Phillips / George Washington / 6'5" / 220 lbs / Senior

George Washington needed more size and physicality on the wing, and Phillips gives the Revs exactly that.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior arrives after averaging 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds at Lafayette. He's also a career 35.2% three-point shooter, giving GW a reliable perimeter option.

But what has reportedly stood out during the summer is that Phillips brings more to the table than just his shooting.

His understanding of the game could allow him to contribute in several different areas — making the right read, playing within the offense, defending with physicality and taking advantage of opportunities without needing to dominate possessions.

That type of veteran versatility can be especially valuable for a team adding new pieces.

Khani Rooths / Oklahoma / 6'10" 215 lbs / Junior

Rooths is another player whose production doesn't necessarily tell the full story.

The 6-foot-10 junior played 31 games at Louisville last season, starting twice, and recorded four double-digit scoring performances, including three double-doubles. His minutes were limited, but Oklahoma saw enough on film to believe there is considerably more there.

What stands out is the combination of size, mobility and perimeter skill.

Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser describes Rooths as a mobile wing with significant length and believes he can become an elite defender in the SEC. The next part of the equation is confidence in his offensive game, particularly as a shooter.

At 6-foot-10, a wing who can defend multiple positions and consistently knock down perimeter shots creates major lineup flexibility.

Jordan Scott / Michigan State / 6'7" / 202 lbs / Sophomore

Scott may be one of the more important young two-way wings to watch on this list.

As a freshman, he showed flashes of being a capable shooter, but his defensive development appears to be what has really caught Michigan State's attention. Tom Izzo has specifically highlighted how much Scott has improved defensively.

Scott also enters the season physically stronger, reportedly adding around 12 pounds.

That matters.

At 6-foot-7 and now 202 pounds, he has a better foundation for handling the physicality of Big Ten basketball. His shooting numbers also provide reason for optimism.

Scott's split between backup and starting roles last season is particularly interesting. In 22 games as a reserve, he averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in 17.4 minutes while shooting .388/.310/.714. In 13 starts, those numbers jumped to 7.7 points per game, while his shooting improved to .436 from the field and .452 from three.

That starting sample suggests there is another level to his offensive game.

Cedric Taylor III / Howard / 6'7" / 210 lbs / Senior

Taylor's rise over the last year is one of the better development stories in the group.

In just a year, he went from being a capable Division II player at Morehouse to becoming the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-MEAC selection at Howard.

And the production backed it up.

Taylor averaged 17.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists, while also contributing 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. That statistical profile shows a player who can impact the game well beyond scoring.

At 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds, Taylor brings the physical profile to play multiple positions, while his defensive production gives Howard a reliable piece on that end of the floor.

His decision to remain at Howard after considering other opportunities gives the Bison a proven veteran entering his senior season.

Caleb Williams / Georgetown / 6'7" / 227 lbs / Junior

Williams enters the season as Georgetown's top returning scorer and one of the more experienced players on the roster, having already made 47 career starts.

The 6-foot-7, 227-pound junior took a significant step forward last season, more than doubling his scoring production. He also shot 37.7% from three, giving the Hoyas a legitimate perimeter threat from the wing.

Now Georgetown will be looking for another jump.

Williams' size gives him the ability to play physically, while his three-point shooting creates spacing for the team's guards and frontcourt players. With his experience and increased offensive responsibilities, the next progression is becoming more consistent from game to game and expanding his influence in other areas.