With the 2026-2027 high school basketball season starting in a few weeks, we’re taking a deep dive into the top ten players at each position. Here are the fifteen (15) best power forwards in the Peach State, regardless of class. Keep in mind, these players are not listed in any particular order.
By: Southeast Hoops Report
6-8 PF Armin Kapic, Fulton Science Academy (GA)- 2027
Kapic is coming off an impressive summer where he represented the Austrian National Team, where he averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game. On the offensive end, he brings an inside/out scoring package, where he is fluid around the rim as well as shooting at a respectable percentage from behind the three-point line. On the defensive end, he can guard multiple positions, where his length allows him to be effective both in the paint as well as on the perimeter. Overall, he has a high IQ where he displays great court vision and should have a stellar senior season.
6-7 PF Gavin Fountain, Pace Academy (GA)- 2027- Mercer commit
Fountain is a vital combo forward who can bring strength, length, and athleticism on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, he can score on all three levels, both off the catch and off the bounce. He displays a strong feel for the game, where he doesn’t let his size dictate whether he’s playing in the post or having a smooth handle like a guard. On the defensive end, his length and athleticism allow him to be disruptive in the passing lanes, as well as altering shots around the rim.
6-7 PF Noah Brady, Mount Vernon HS (GA)- 2027- West Georgia commit
Brady is coming off a strong summer where he played for Anthony Edwards Basketball Club on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. On the offensive end, he displays a nice shooting touch, where he can knock down shots in the mid-range as well as finish above the rim at the point of attack. He has also become more comfortable displaying his smooth handle on the perimeter and makes smart decisions when he has the basketball in his hands. On the defensive end, he is long and versatile, and his athleticism allows him to pursue the passing lanes and alter timely shots around the rim. Overall, his feel and understanding of the game should make Brady have a strong senior season.
6-7 PF Xavier Butler, Grayson HS (GA)- 2027
Butler made the move from North Cobb Christian to Grayson over the summer, where he will bring a blend of strength and athleticism to their front court this upcoming season. On the offensive end, he can score on the interior both off the catch and off the bounce at a high level. He is also unafraid when it comes to understanding floor spacing, where he can knock down shots from the mid-range and out on the perimeter. On the defensive end, he adds great length and mobility where he can alter timely shots, rebound at a high percentage, and limit the opposition from getting second-chance scoring opportunities.
6-7 PF Lukas Romine, Hebron Christian Academy (GA)- 2027- Georgia College commit
The 6-foot-7 power forward has a knack for attacking with purpose and finishing above the rim with explosiveness once he gets into space on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he impacts the game with his length and explosiveness when it comes to altering shots around the rim, as well as gaining confidence in defending out on the perimeter. He is also disciplined when it comes to closing out on shooters, where he can challenge shots on all three scoring levels without fouling. Overall, his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor makes him a valuable two-way combo forward.
6-7 PF Byron Lee, Grayson HS (GA)- 2027
Lee is an athletic forward who consistently impacts winning without needing plays called specifically for him on the offensive end. He finishes strong, especially around the rim, with powerful dunks, and does a great job of attacking rebounds aggressively on both ends, limiting the opposition from getting second-chance scoring opportunities. Overall, Lee has the willingness to impact games through hustle, athleticism, and toughness, making him an invaluable glue guy whose ceiling continues trending upward.
6-8 PF Laron Mack Jr., Dutchtown HS (GA)- 2028 (Featured image)
Mack Jr. comes to the Peach State after playing his first two high school seasons in Florida, at Riviera Prep in the greater Miami area. He is a versatile combo forward who can make an immediate impact on both ends of the floor without having to be the dominant scorer. On the offensive end, he puts pressure on the defense as a lob threat and finisher around the basket. He uses his length to his advantage when it comes to converting lobs and runs the floor well for his size, giving his teammates a primary target in transition. Overall, he is able to finish plays without needing the ball in his hands allows him to contribute within the flow of the offense. On the defensive end, Mack’s mobility also allows him to cover away from the rim, giving him the ability to defend in space rather than being limited to the interior.
6-9 PF Baer Bailey, Greater Atlanta Christian (GA)- 2028
The 6-foot-9 power forward plays with great length and is an intriguing player who can make an impact with and without the ball in his hands. On the offensive end, he has impressive touch around the basket and is especially effective in the mid-range, where he can consistently convert scoring opportunities. On the defensive end, he is a high-volume rebounder and passer when it comes to transition-scoring opportunities, where he runs the floor exceptionally well for his size. During the July live period, Bailey averaged a near double-double while playing for the Atlanta Celtics on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. College coaches should start showing interest in Bailey, who makes an impact on both ends of the floor.
6-6 PF Landon Evans, St. Francis HS (GA)- 2028
Evans brings a combination of skills, length, and size that allows him to play bigger than his size indicates, especially around the rim, where he uses different angles and footwork to get over the top of defenders and score easy buckets. He is also unafraid when it comes to showing his versatility and ability to space the floor with his perimeter shooting off the catch and off the bounce. Overall, Evans is a lengthy wing who will continue to catch eyes over the next two years and is looking for a breakout season to solidify himself as one of the best players in Class 1A in the state of Georgia.
6-6 PF Miles Cromwell, Alpharetta HS (GA)- 2028
Cromwell, standing at 6-foot-6, does a great job when he’s not rushing possessions or forcing himself into making a tough pass or a bad shot, which suggests a maturity level that goes beyond his years on the offensive end. On the defensive end, he has the frame to guard multiple positions on the wing, and he uses his length well to contest shots around the rim without fouling. Overall, Cromwell plays with a high motor and creates energy plays that feed off his teammates. He is an excellent defender who can guard multiple positions and change shots in the paint with his athleticism and length. Look for him to have a strong junior season where he could get an early start on his recruitment.
6-11 PF Tenaje Freeman, Jonesboro HS (GA)- 2028
Freeman is an intriguing frontcourt prospect with impressive size, length, and above-average athleticism who finishes effectively around the rim and impacts the glass. Freeman also brings value on the defensive end, where his physical tools allow him to alter shots and protect the paint. His best basketball is certainly ahead of him. His recruitment is off to a strong start where he has already picked up offers from Kennesaw State and Queens University, but don’t expect those to be the only schools that offer the 6-foot-11 junior power forward.
6-7 PF Kellen Downey, Seckinger HS (GA)- 2028
Downey is a mobile and athletic big man who plays with good length, and he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. He changes ends of the floor with ease and has good hands and touch around the rim on the offensive end. He also brings intriguing defensive versatility, with the ability to alter shots in the paint while possessing the mobility to switch onto perimeter players and keep them in front of him. Overall, his recruitment will suggest that there’s still significant room for growth and improvement before he needs to make a college decision.
6-8 PF Alvin Pettway, McEachern HS (GA)- 2029
Pettway is a front-court prospect with a strong feel for the game and the versatility to impact the offense in multiple ways. Possesses reliable hands and processes the floor at a high level, consistently recognizing defensive rotations and making smart decisions with the ball. Comfortable operating away from the basket, he moves well without the ball and can push in transition while delivering the right pass to create quality looks for his teammates. Overall, his ability to handle, facilitate, and extend his range gives him a unique offensive profile, and with continued development, he has tremendous long-term upside in the 2029 class. He currently holds offers from Florida State and Kennesaw State, but don’t be surprised if more Power 4 schools offer him over the course of the next three years.
6-8 PF Deuce Powell, Wheeler HS (GA)- 2029
Powell pushes the pace himself off defensive rebounds instead of waiting for a guard to bring it up, as he has a smooth handle for his size. He’s also a willing and capable finisher above the rim, which forces defenses to respect him around the basket even before he’s developed a consistent perimeter shot. During the July live period, Powell averaged nearly 9 points and 5 rebounds per game. Overall, Powell is a rising prospect who could be on the verge of a strong breakout sophomore season.
6-5 PF Xavien Littleton, Coffee HS (GA)- 2029
Littleton displays a great feel and understanding when it comes to coming off ball-screen actions. He does a great job when he reads the coverage and makes the right pass or attacks the paint depending on what the defense gives him. On the defensive end, he’s got the length to bother shots on the interior but shows enough lateral quickness to survive switches onto smaller wings. Overall, he has an advanced physical skill set for his age and shows confidence when he puts the ball on the floor in open court. He is being highly recruited on the gridiron as well, where he holds offers from Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, among several others.
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Ross Van De Griek has been a Southeast Region Scout for On The Radar Hoops since 2024 and has been the Owner/Founder of Southeast Hoops Report since June 2026. You can follow along with his work on X (@SEHoopsReport), Instagram (sehoopsreport), and Facebook (@sehoopsreport).