Southwest Missouri: Best Available 2017 “Bigs”
I use the term “big” loosely because not every kid on this list is a traditional back-to-the-basket post, but all 9 players have something in common: they are 6-foot-5 or taller, skilled and still unsigned entering the 2016-17. Click on each athlete’s name for links to film.
Christian Bundy, Nixa
Bundy has a few things working in his favor: he has a great frame, great genetics and he plays for Jay Osborne. He’s a little undersized at 6-foot-5, but has size and footwork that could make him an extremely effective D-2 or NAIA post. He’s quick off the floor and an explosive finisher, something that was also the same for his D-2 All-American brother Kameron (Drury). Osborne has become one of the best coaches in Missouri because of his ability to develop talent. Bundy has watched Jacob Ruder and Chase Allen dominate over the last three years, now it’s his turn.
Evan Fullerton, Fair Grove
Fullerton is still finding his game but at 6-foot-7 he is an intriguing prospect. He’s a bit raw, but you can see his game coming together. Last year he averaged 9.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 1.4 BPG for Fair Grove. Coach Tim Brown does a tremendous job of letting his team live in transition, which allows Fullerton to show off his full game; he’s more of a modern stretch 4. He has a nice face-up game and great range on his jumper, but he’s athletic enough to finish in traffic and protect the rim. Adding 20 pounds to his frame in the offseason should only help his game.
Houston Johnson, Willard
Injuries have derailed Johnson’s high school career, robbing the 6-foot-6 post of essentially the last two years. The good news is he is finally healthy from an ankle injury and the better news is that he’s hungry. Johnson is a classic big in that he rebounds, protects the rim and finishes around the basket. But, he also has flashed the feathery soft touch that made his father, Fred, the all-time leading prep scorer in state history. The younger Johnson has played well at summer camps and combines and is poised for a breakout season playing for former Mizzou standout Lamont Frazier.
Jakob Partee, Clever
Partee is a name that continues to make its way around Missouri. He’s a 6-foot-6 combo forward that is as comfortable on the perimeter as he is on the block. Through the first two games of his senior season he’s put up 22 PPG and 7.5 RPG. Keep in mind, Partee averaged 20 PPG last year and had a Kevin Durant-like shooting split (50-41-87). Clever coach Luke Brosius has no problem letting Partee pick on matchups, often sliding him in and out of the post depending on who is defending him. A big that can shoot it like that is a matchup problem at any level. He is in the same mold as former Branson standout Avery Dingman, just not quite as athletic.
Anthony Rosas, Ava
Rosas is a little more of your classic post as well. He’s a back-to-the-basket post that continues to refine his footwork and jumper. As a junior he averaged 13.1 PPG and 8.7 RPG. At times he’s lacked the supporting cast to keep him from receiving double and triple teams during his high school season, but that still hasn’t kept him from becoming a double-double machine. He’s still a little raw, but there is tons of potential here.
Brady Smith, Licking
This might be slightly misleading because Brady Smith is a pure guard, but at 6-foot-5 he can hang out on this list. Smith has the size and skillset to impact a game in several different ways. He can defend multiple positions, score at all three levels and is a great finisher. He competed in the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions dunk contest as a junior, just to let you know what kind of athlete he is. Smith Averaged 16.3 PPG and 7.8 RPG as a junior, but when he plays with fire there are few better wings. If/when he puts it all together watch out.
Sam Timmons, Lamar
At a school known for churning out college football players, Timmons is a bit of an anomaly. As a junior he averaged 16.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 1.7 BPG for the Tigers. His game is extremely diverse. He has good footwork on the block and can finish above the rim, but also has a nice face-up game and 3-point range. He’s skilled enough to slide over and play a 3/4 in college at the right level. He’s already receiving NAIA offers and interest and former Missouri Southern guard Tyler Ryerson taking over the program should aid his development.
Julius Walker, Greenwood
He’s another “big” that isn’t really a post. As a junior at Greenwood he operated out of the post frequently (25 PPG, 9 RPG) but during the summer he plays more of a 3, which suites his game perfectly. He’s skilled and has a knack for getting to the line. Efficient scorers in this frame are always fun to watch and Walker’s ability to score at all three levels is just that. Over the summer he added to his game by improving his body and committing to the defensive end of the floor. He scored 28 points in his season-opener, 19 of which came in what was a perfect first half (6-for-6 FG, 7-for-7 FT).
Nathan Wilson, Licking
Last year was a coming out party for the 6-foot-5 forward. Wilson averaged 25.3 PPG and 7.6 RPG for the Wildcats, earning all-everything honors in the process. He’s not a huge rim protector, but has a scorer’s mentality. He shot 52% from the field as a junior and has an arsenal of moves in the low and mid post. This summer he put in work to develop a better perimeter jumper after shooting just 30% from 3 last year. If he can repeat his junior campaign he’ll finish with more than 2,000 career points.