Arkansas' best high school boys basketball players: Meet the state's top small forwards

Some of the top small forwards in the state

With the high school basketball season wrapping up, SBLive is looking at the best boys players in Arkansas. Today, we feature the top small forwards for all classes. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list as there are hundreds of great basketball players in the state.

Important note on position: In today’s position-less era of basketball, it is very rare that teams list one starter at all five positions, and many players are fully interchangeable across positions. For example, depending on game or matchup situations, an athlete might play the 1 or 2 guard spots, possibly a guard/forward role as a wing, or some have the talent to play all of the 1-5 positions. Please use the comments section to discuss other standout players in Arkansas that you want to nominate.

Soon, you will have a chance to vote on who you think is the top boys small forward in the state.

Evin Ashcraft | Magnet Cove | 6-3 | SR

Ashcraft has been a great senior leader for the Panthers averaging 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game but he has especially come on in the postseason. He hit the game-winning shot against Maumelle Charter in the first round of the state tournament, then scored 26 points in a win against Eureka Springs. Finally, he led his team to a victory over defending champion Lee County advancing to the 2A state title game.

Owen Dehrmann | Bentonville | 6-3 | SO

Dehrmann began to make a name for himself in a season-opening victory over Marion scoring 25 points and then came up big in December’s Blue Springs Tournament knocking dow a buzzer-beating 3 to beat Ozark (Mo.) in overtime. He has been averaging 7.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He can get it done as a ‘2’ guard or in the ‘3’ spot.

"A great worker and a very intelligent player,” Tigers head coach Dick Rippee said. “A great competitor who is also a leader for our program and a great scorer who plays within our system very well."

James Deloach | Sylvan Hills | 6-5 | SO

His big dunks have been making rounds on social media, but Deloach offers much more than highlights. He averaged close to a double-double each time he took the floor putting up 10 points and nine rebounds adding two blocks per game on defense. He does have room to improve at the free throw line, but that will come as he continues to develop.

“James has really helped our team in rebounding and our interior defense,” Bears Coach Kevin Davis said. “He is improving every day in his overall game and has done a great job competing against the upperclassmen across the state.”

Oquoieah Earl | Riverview | 6-5 | SO

Earl was one of the sophomores along with Tristen Cunningham who really came on for Riverview this year. He currently possesses a football offer from Eastern Kentucky and has also received early basketball interest. Based on what we have seen so far with multiple productive games scoring over 20 points, there is plenty of reason to believe he should continue to thrive in his development.

Cameron Frazier | Russellville | 6-4 | SO

Frazier is a relentless rebounder as proven after grabbing 11 against Fayetteville early in the year followed 10 against conference foe Siloam Springs, just to name a few. He has really come into his own defensively but has honed his craft on the offensive end as well. He averaged nine rebounds a game to go with two steals, two blocks, and eight points each time out.

Isaac Harrell | Jonesboro | 6-7 | JR

Harrell will spend this upcoming summer playing for MOKAN Elite out of Kansas City after a successful high school season. He has averaged around 12 points per game and 4 rebounds shooting 50% from the field and 38% from deep.

“Isaac is just really good,” Jonesboro Coach Wes Swift said. “His mid-post game is one area he is very underrated.”

Jai’chaunn Hayes | White Hall | 6-6 | FR

White Hall had a tough year, but Hayes is already a star to build around as just a ninth grader. He contributes more so as a combo guard, but can play the three, or pretty much any position he is needed, at a very high level and is one of a handful of freshmen to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Isaiah Jackson | Paragould | 6-6 | SR

Jackson had a great senior season for the Rams averaging a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He also excels in the classroom boasting a 4.1 GPA. In the final week of the season, he was awarded the Glen Sain Player of the Week when he averaged 20 points during that week including 26 in a victory over Nettleton. With his versatility and the way he uses his 6-7 frame, he is certainly one of the better unsigned players remaining for the Class of 2022.

Tyree Jackson | Blytheville | 6-5 | JR

Jackson has majorly improved his stock for the next level averaging 11.5 points and five rebounds per game during his junior season and makes 80% of his free throws and has helped lead the Chicksaws to the state title game.

“Tyree guards the other teams’ best player night in and out,” Chickasaws Coach McKenzie Pierce said. “He has a high motor and is a super athlete.”

Daylen Love | Osceola | 6-6 | SR

Osceola has had an incredible year that it hopes to finish hoisting a trophy thanks in large part to Love’s 20 points per game along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists after averaging a double-double last season putting up 23 points per game and 10 rebounds.

“Daylen has been doing well,” Osceola head coach Vernon Wilson said. “We have been pleased with him and our depth this year.”

Devarious Montgomery | Jonesboro | 6-4 | JR

His stats may not jump off the page, but Montgomery is one who can do whatever you ask him to do at a high level while shooting 75% from the floor.

“Devarius is ‘Mr. Intangible’,” Jonesboro Coach Wes Swift said. “He does whatever is necessary for us to win and can defend every position on the floor.”

Brayden Nunnally | Manila | 6-4 | JR

Film does not lie and Nunnally takes the term ‘play until the whistle’ to heart on both ends of the floor while averaging 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He began 2022 about as well as you could ask scoring 34 points shooting 13-18 from the field with 8 rebounds and 5 steals in just three quarters against Gosnell. He also went wild against Gosnell on February 9 with 28 points.

“Brayden has an incredible work ethic,” Manila head coach Lee Wimberley said. “His ceiling is incredibly high, and he is still learning the game daily.”

Joseph Pinion | Morrilton | 6-6 | SR

The first commit to the now No. 2-ranked recruiting class for the Razorbacks has finished his high school career and now looks to go make history in Fayetteville. Pinion plays the wing position very effectively with a great shot and is an underrated defender.

Kaden Ponder | Bergman | 6-4 | SO

Already standing at 6-4, Ponder has plenty of time to continue to grow in terms of his height as well as his game. He averaged double-digit points with 10.5 per game along with 6 rebounds this season.

“Kaden has the length to score inside and out,” Bergman head coach Bo Martin said. “He has a very high ceiling and was a huge part of our success this year.

Mason Simpson | Fayetteville | 6-4 | SO

Simpson has used this season to develop his all-around game and has continued to show his ability as a shooter hitting 60% off his shots from 2-point range while averaging 8.8 points per game. He helped the Purple Dogs to a Final Four finish this year. 

“Mason has always been known as a sniper, and spends hours in the gym on his craft. He gets up at 6 am three or four days a week and always stays after practice,” FHS head coach Brad Stamps said. “His game is evolved from just being a shooter which is exactly what we needed.”

Deshun Spence | Vilonia | 6-4 | SO

Vilonia got off to a 5-7 start before conference play but made it to the second round of the state tournament and Spence’s contributions were a big reason. He averaged 28 minutes per game with 10.9 points shooting 53.8% from the field.

“From last year, Dashun has become more comfortable with playing at the varsity level,” Eagles head coach Troy Campbell said. “With a year under his belt, he has become more aggressive offensively and defensively. He continues to show a deeper understanding of the game.”

Dallas Thomas | Parkview | 6-8 | SO

Thomas has already gained national attention being ranked as high as the 23rd overall prospect in the country by ESPN for 2024 and currently has offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Houston, Illinois, Texas A&M among others with plenty more to come.

“Dallas has gotten better, but he just needs to continue to get stronger and meaner,” Patriots head coach Scotty Thurman said. “He’s definitely gotten meaner as one of our team leaders in blocked shots. From a talent standpoint, it is off the charts when you look at someone who is 6-8 that can handle the basketball, who can play multiple positions who shoots it well. I think the sky's the limit for him.”

Cam Wallace | Parkview | 6-6 | SR

Wallace really expanded his game during his career at Parkview. He has become more effective shooting the three at various spots as opposed to just being relied upon in the paint. He helped lead the Patriots to the second round of the quarterfinals in his senior season.

“When I first got here, he was more of a post player and not being utilized in the way that we have tried to utilize him,” Parkview head coach Scotty Thurman said. “Giving him an opportunity to expand his game of course helps both us and him, but he can take that with him when he does go to college.”

Corey Washington | North Little Rock | 6-6 | SR

Washington could very well be the most overlooked prospect on this list. Washington had an all-Tournament type performance in the annual King Cotton Classic tournament back in December when he averaged 20.5 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He took a visit to Arkansas back in January and has continued to receive college attention for his play throughout his senior year.

Cooper Watson | County Line | 6-6 | SO

Watson was added to the mix this season as a sophomore, and it has paid off big for the Indians as he has averaged 15 points per game. With only one senior starter on the team, County Line has plenty to be excited about beyond this season but first they are trying to win a state title to close this year out.