Best high school boys basketball forwards in the nation entering the 2023-24 season

Expect these 20 forwards to put up huge stats this winter

The high school boys basketball season is officially underway, with Alabama becoming the first state to tip off Nov. 2.

SBLive Sports is highlighting some of the best players in the nation as we begin the winter season, which starts with Montverde Academy ranked No. 1 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Top 25.

We've been taking a position-by-position look at some of the best of the best in high school boys basketball, starting with the top point guards, combo guards and wings, and now it's the forwards' turn.

Here are 20 of the best forwards in the nation entering the 2023-24 high school boys basketball season.

Kenyon Aguino, jr., Volcano Vista (New Mexico)

One of the most dominant players in the Southwest, Aguino averaged 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists as a sophomore for Class 5A state champion Volcano Vista. He is the reigning New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year. 

Kuol Atak, sr., Haltom (Texas)

Atak put up 22.5 points and 5.1 rebounds a season ago for Haltom. A feared outside shooter, Atak committed to Oklahoma in September. 

Ace Bailey, sr., McEachern (Georgia)

One of the most coveted seniors in the country, Bailey is a five-star forward who will play college basketball for Rutgers. He posted an unusual triple-double last winter against South Cobb with 34 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks. 

Tyler Betsey, sr., St. Thomas More (Connecticut)

Betsey averaged 21 points, five rebounds and three assists as a junior en route to Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year honors. The four-star recruit recently committed to Cincinnati. 

Cameron Boozer, jr., Columbus (Florida)

Boozer was sensational during his sophomore season for Columbus, averaging 21.1 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He was voted Florida Gatorade Player of the Year and is the No. 2 national recruit for the class of 2025. 

Carter Bryant, sr., Centennial (California)

Playing for Newport Beach’s Sage Hill last season, Bryant averaged an eye-popping 22.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.9 blocks and 1.6 steals. The five-star Arizona commit transferred to Corona Centennial during the offseason for a shorter commute. 

Nicolas Codie, sr., Newman Smith (Texas)

Codie put up 16 points and nine rebounds a season ago as Newman Smith captured its third district title in four years. A four-star big man, Codie’s college suitors include Auburn, Houston, LSU, Miami and TCU. 

Jacob Cofie, sr., Eastside Catholic (Washington)

The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Cofie is a physical forward who plays with an edge. The four-star Virginia commit averaged 18.7 points and 11.4 rebounds as a junior. 

Pharaoh Compton, sr., Arbor View (Nevada)

Compton averaged a double-double as a sophomore and was even better last winter for Arbor View. The four-star prospect committed to San Diego State in October. 

Isaac Davis, sr., Hillcrest (Idaho)

Davis is a two-sport star for Hillcrest in football and basketball. The four-star BYU basketball commit has averaged 15.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals the past two seasons as the Knights have captured back-to-back Class 4A state titles. 

Cooper Koch, sr., Metamora (Illinois)

Koch, a four-star Iowa commit, transferred from Peoria Notre Dame to Metamora during the summer. He is the son of former NBAer and Hawkeyes standout J.R. Koch. 

Tyler McKinley, sr., Winton Woods (Ohio)

McKinley began his high school career at Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills and averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks as a sophomore before transferring to Link Academy. The four-star Cincinnati commit is back in the Buckeye State for his senior season. 

Dominique Murphy, jr., East Chicago Central (Indiana)

Murphy filled up the stat sheet as a sophomore with 22.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals. He is a versatile player who can function on the perimeter and in the paint. 

Asa Newell, sr., Montverde Academy (Florida)

A five-star Georgia commit, Newell is part of a dominant Montverde Academy front line that includes Cooper Flagg and Derek Queen. The 6-foot-9 lefty can dominate at forward and center. 

Koa Peat, jr., Perry (Arizona) 

Peat, the No. 4 overall recruit nationally for the class of 2025, won Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a sophomore after averaging 19.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, three assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.3 steals. He has helped lead Perry to back-to-back state titles. 

Jack Robison, sr., Lakeville North (Minnesota)

Robison put up 15 points, five rebounds and three assists for Lakeville North as a junior. He has been committed to Wisconsin for more than a year. 

Trent Sisley, jr., Heritage Hills (Indiana)

Sisley nearly averaged 20 points per game as a freshman and put up 26.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.4 blocks last winter. The four-star prospect’s offers include Indiana, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Purdue. 

Jaden Steppe, sr., Tualatin (Oregon)

Steppe averaged 19.6 points and 7.6 rebounds during his junior season, carrying Tualatin to a second consecutive Class 6A state title. The four-star forward with guard skills committed to Colorado State in September. 

Tyran Stokes, so., Prolific Prep (California)

The top-ranked sophomore in the country, Stokes is a Swiss Army knife for Prolific Prep. The Kentucky native is a strong passer and rebounder who can also get buckets.

Zymicah Wilkins, jr., Christ School (North Carolina)

Wilkins averaged 28 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.2 blocks during a sensational sophomore season for R-S Central. Now at Christ School, Wilkins is one of the most feared players in North Carolina. 

(Jacob Cofie photo by Steve Faber)

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-- Bob Lundeberg | @sblivesports