Top Big Men – Washington State 2017
There was no shortage of great post play this summer. With the idea of post player playing in the paint slowly deteriorating. There are still some traditional guys who like to make there mark on the block.
What is a Center or Forward?
Center. The center (C), also known as the five, nicknamed the “pivot”, usually plays near the baseline, close to the basket (referred to as the “low post“). They are usually the tallest player on the floor.
A post player is a player who is comfortable playing with his back to the basket. He is not afraid of contact and will come back play after play despite getting hit even when he doesn’t have the ball. A post player is willing to go to the boards on every play and if he can’t get the rebound, makes sure that his man won’t. A post player, by virtue of his physical position on the court, has to be willing to run endline to endline even though he won’t get the ball most of the time. He must be willing to defend on every play and make up for his teammate’s shortcomings. He is the goalie, the last person that can protect the basket. He must be willing to sacrifice his body on every play.
Here are some guys who I feel embody the traditional post style of play.
Class of 2017 and Team Arsenal standout 6’8 power forward Andre Kelly is a very skilled post player who dominated in the Oregon Premier Showcase.
Currently the 6’8 power forwards has offers and interest from multiple schools around the country such as, Nevada, Washington State, California, Fresno State and California.
Andre enjoyed a highly productive weekend as he kept the motor running throughout the tournament. He is a strong athlete who powered his way to several buckets through traffic and some serious contact. He was a persistent offensive rebounder who got the reward with many put-backs for buckets. He also stepped out and made a number of 15 footers as well as a couple of step-back fade away jumpers. Andre was also one of the most impressive shot blockers in the tournament. His touch around the hoop is solid, but he could use a few more post moves in his arsenal at the next level. He has the length and moves well off ball to get in good positions for easy dunks and layups already though. Johnson right now projects to be a solid mid major big man prospect.
Fardaws Aimaq – 6’10” | PF | AthELITE and Steveston-London Secondary School, Richmond, Canada.
Fardaws stepped inside the gym at Bellevue College this summer to do some work on the floor. Aimaq is one of the best big men in the Class of 2017 and proved that at the NW PREMIER SHOWCASE in Seattle, Washington. He’s had a great spring so far and is looking to continue turning college coaches’ heads in July.
Fardaws plays his AAU ball with AthELITE a NIKE SPONSORED AAU PROGRAM and Steveston-London Secondary School, Richmond, Canada where he plays his high school ball. With a 6’10” frame, he showed that he can guard out on the perimeter at the showcase as well. His jumper is looking more consistent and he is a threat from deep. Aimaq is currently receiving interest from a multitude of programs at the D1 high-major and some mid-major level but is looking to see what July brings.
Class of 2021 forward 6’7 Paolo Banchero is a very skilled big man who can run the floor. His inside game is well polished for a young man of his age and class. With time he will only get better and more dominant.
Paolo received his first Division 1 offer this month from The University of Montana Grizzlies. Going into his freshman year you usually don’t hear of recruitment that early unless they are a special. With the likes of SEATTLE U, SIMON FRASER, SPU, PSU, CAL STATE and other schools that were in Bellevue I am sure this is the first of many.
Riley Sorn – 7’3 C Richland High School, Richland Wa scares the pants off of the opposing team. Most kids don’t get a chance to see somebody stand that tall and in front of the basket. He is an easy target. Riley is no oak tree. He is more like a fly swatter. He is relatively agile and understands his position and height and uses it to his advantage..
Standing 7 feet 3 inches, Sorn is the tallest basketball player in the state of Washington. He has a great defensive presence, meeting lay ups and dunks at the rim for blocked shots. With his height and length alone, it will make shots harder for opposing player.