2020 Rankings Breakdown: Baltimore Froncourt
The top players in the class of 2020 is a very special group. With a good mix of guards and froncourt players, a number of players will have the chance to be household names at the next level. We broke down the top guards from Baltimore here. Now, let’s take a look at the frontcourt players.
Justin Lewis | 6’6 F | Calvert Hall/Team Melo | #4 overall
Lewis is a skilled forward that can impact the game in many ways. He has the ball handling to rip down a rebound and spark a fast break by himself. Lewis isn’t the perfect point forward yet, but once his ball handling gets a tighter, he’ll be featured as that guy on many transition looks. Another reason why he fits the mold as a point forward is his vision and passing ability. In some of their offensive sets, Team Melo features him at the top of the key in the offense and allows him to dissect the defense by reading cutters. Lewis does a good job depicting and anticipating who will be open. Defensively, he’s a shot blocker. Even when he isn’t blocking a shot, his presence alone forces guards to distort their lay up or shot attempt. He has the athleticism and motor to contest a shot and corral the rebound. Lewis already holds two offers from St. Johns and UNLV.
Che Evans | 6’6 F | Dulaney/Team Melo | #7 overall
Evans is a wing that looks to score whenever possible. Because of his length, he has the ability to rise over his defenders to get off a jumper. Evans can also mix it up and take his man off the dribble to finish around the basket. He and Lewis both play for Team Melo. When the two running on the break together, it makes quite the tandem with Lewis’ passing ability and Evans’ finishing skills. One wrinkle in Evans’ game comes on defense. If he could put the same amount of effort on that side of the ball, he has the potential to be a special talent. Evans also holds offers from St. John’s and UNLV.
🎥🔋~ @HoopMajor @AyalewAdam pic.twitter.com/pLV9sy8t0F
— Ché Evans Jr (@cevansjr10) April 20, 2017
Cameron Byers | 6’6 G | John Carroll/Team Thrill | #21 overall
Although Byers continues to work on his outside shooting to become more of a versatile offensive threat, his physicality in the paint makes him most effective. He sort of has an old man’s game in terms of big men living down low. Byers can knock down jumpers out to 15 feet consistently, but he is most effective getting the ball on the block and bullying his match up. He has good strength that allows him to impact the rebounding game. Last season for John Carroll, Byers played significant minutes. As he enters his sophomore season, he’ll look to build on the success he had last year and be the beneficiary of playing next to guys like Immanuel Quickley and Montez Mathis.
Brandon Murray | 6’4 F | Boys’ Latin/Team Melo | #28 overall
Murray is an interesting player because he has the tools to be a versatile big man. He doesn’t possess a ton of athleticism, but can do a lot of different things on the floor. The most common comparison to a player like this these days is Draymond Green. Murray doesn’t have the outside shot like Green does, but he aggressively attacks the glass and can spark a fast break similarly. Most of his points come off the dribble going towards the basket, although he can knock down jumpers off the catch as well. If he can continue to develop his body and skills, he could become an effective weapon.
Montez McNeil | 6’5 F | Calvert Hall/Team Melo | #32 overall
McNeil is a physical forward that plays bigger than his height listed. He has a nice face-up game from 15 feet. Often times he will catch at the high post area, execute a sweep through and use one or two power dribble to barge his way to the rim. If his match up slacks off, he has nice touch from mid range. Because of his physicality, he can control a game on the glass. He and Lewis will be a nice mixture of skills in the froncourt for the Cardinals this season.