Positional Breakdown: Missouri Class of 2018 Combo Forwards
Here is a look at the top combo forwards in the Class of 2018 in the state of Missouri: Jericole Hellems 6’7″ Chaminade: The versatile forward played 17U all summer with the St. Louis Eagles team that qualified for the…
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Continue ReadingHere is a look at the top combo forwards in the Class of 2018 in the state of Missouri:
Jericole Hellems 6’7″ Chaminade: The versatile forward played 17U all summer with the St. Louis Eagles team that qualified for the Peach Jam in the Nike EYBL. Hellems is a strong inside player, but he is also very comfortable on the perimeter, where he can attack the basket and knock down jumpers off the dribble. He was very productive during the month of July as a scorer and rebounder. He was really a big factor on the offensive boards. He will step into a big role as one of the go-to guys for Chaminade this season as they seek to defend its Class 5 state championship.
Clay Gayman 6’5″ Nevada: The athletic Gayman was a consistent force throughout the summer for Gateway’s 16U team. He started the grassroots season by leading the KC Pacers to the championship of the Adidas Tournament in St. Louis with dominating play. After joining Gateway, he showcased his versatile skill set while continuing to be a double-double machine. He has a variety of post moves and a touch around the basket, but he also rise up and dunk on people in traffic, which he did on several occasions. Gayman is also a nice mid-range shooter off the catch and he can also step out and knock down 3-pointers.
Kale Catchings 6’5″ CBC: A strong, physical forward with a good set of fundamentals, Catchings spent the summer with the St. Louis Eagles’ 16U. He is a dynamic athlete who can finish around the rim with big-time authority. He has good moves around the basket and you can also put him in the mid-to-high post area and he can operate quite well with his ability to put it on the floor and make short jumpers. He will be looked upon to handle the ball much more at CBC during his junior season. He has the skills to handle it.
Joseph Reece 6’8″ Vashon: A long and lean combo forward with an excellent skill set, Reece has the potential to be one of the top prospects in the class. He is a skilled ball handler who can score off the dribble or knock down perimeter jumpers with ease. He runs the court like a gazelle and hits the offensive boards well for put backs. Reece is still developing as he continues to make sense of his constantly growing body. When he puts it all together, watch out because all of the basketball skills are already in the house.
Savon Witt 6’6″ Raytown South: Savon is a big skilled combo forward with a lot of potential. He was one of the main inside players for Team Rush during the summer, but he did get the opportunity to go on the perimeter at times. He is a good athlete who can handle the ball and get to the basket. His upside is pretty big with his overall size and skills.
Eathan Swanegan 6’6″ Blue Springs South: Swanegan has good size and an excellent body. He is built like a power forward and the skills to play of the perimeter, where he enjoys the action outside. He is very good at facing up his man and either putting it on the floor for a strong move to the basket and jumping up and sticking the jumper. He is strong and pretty athletic and tough to handle when the motor is running.
Cecil Lee 6’6″ Park Hill: The long and lanky Lee was one of the most improved players I watched during the summer and a definite stock riser. His biggest impact was on the defensive end where he was an excellent shot blocker. His athleticism and length and good timing made him a formidable rim protector. On offense, he has developed into quite the Stretch 4 with his ability to knock down 3-pointers off the catch. Lee is still getting started with this basketball thing, so he has a pretty big upside.
A.J. Sommer 6’5″ Parkway South: A tough, competitive forward with a versatile set of offensive skills. He has developed into a nice 3-point shooter who does it off the catch or coming off screens. He moves without the basketball quite well. A.J. also has the ability to around the basket and from the high post, where he can make jumpers and score on tough drives through contact.
Wesley McCullough 6’7″ Raymore-Peculiar: The ideal Stretch 4 player with excellent size and perimeter shooting ability. McCullough is a knock-down 3-point shooter who can heat it up from long distance, especially off the catch. He’s very good off the pick and pop. He is also a very effective scorer in the low post. Although he’s tall and lean, he can handle himself inside with his height and nice turnaround jumper.
Pete Lake 6’6″ Jackson: A very bouncy perimeter player who is so skilled that I might have him miscast as a combo forward and not a wing player. He loves to get out on the break and throw down dunks in transition. In the half court, he has nice handles and he can attack the basket aggressively. Lake also has good shooting range to boot.