Adidas Gauntlet: 2019 Forwards
The first live period is over and now comes the notes. We are searching through our book and seeing who stood out and made a name for themselves. Here is our evaluations from Adidas Gauntlet Gold this past weekend. These are our notes from the best stretch forwards from what we saw.
Zeke Nnaji – 6’10 / PF / 2019 / Hopkins (MN) / DI Minnesota 2019
Nnaji is a tall forward who has progressed a ton over the last year. Grown a few inches but also become quite a bit more skilled. He’s skilled enough to play on the wing and shoot as well as put the ball on the floor and get all the way to the rim. More of a physical driver than finesse but in the post, he’s both. So agile and athletic that he can make some high level plays around and above the rim. Reaching elite status quickly.
Kyle Rode – 6’7 / PF / 2019 / Lexington Christian (KY) / Indiana Elite 2019
Rode is a big forward with a great frame and some serious inside-out ability. He’s built nearly perfectly as a small-ball four with his size/strength/skill. He feels pretty comfortable on the wing and he can shoot the ball but at 6’7 and extremely strong, he’s able to defend 3-5. That switch ability is huge and is his ticket. He plays with a motor and has no problem being physical at the point of attack.
Cobie Barnes – 6’7 / PF / 2019 / Floyd Central (IN) / Indiana Elite 2019
Barnes is a solid forward who is a bit in between positions right now. Fits as a small ball four that you can put in different spots and switch defensively. Can shoot from the perimeter and has the frame you want. Needs to be a little more physical in the paint on both ends but is skilled enough to produce in all categories. Really good passer and rebounder.
Luke Maranka – 6’8 / PF / 2019 / Homeschool (MI) / Michigan Mustangs 2019
Luke is a tall forward with really good ball handling ability and agility for his size. He’s thin and needs strength but he has a ton of skill and scoring ability for his size. Handles the ball well on the perimeter and can drive well. Creative with the ball on the block and can go up-and-under or into a little step back jumper. Much more of a wing than a post with his skill and confidence. Could develop nicely into a true wing with time.
Evan Bainbridge – 6’8 / PF / 2019 / Stow (OH) / OBC 2019
Bainbridge is a long, lanky forward who can shoot the ball at a high level. He’s a stretch forward that lacks strength but is very active and impacts both ends of the floor. His shots come mostly off of the catch but able to create a little bit. Defensively, he rebounds at a high level and uses his length very well. Can move him around and switch a bit but matchups will dictate a bit until his strength comes through.
Noah Carter – 6’5 / PF / 2019 / Dubuque (IA) / Iowa Barnstormers 2019
Carter is an undersized four-man that fits as a small-ball four. He’s built really well and compact with plenty of strength and he plays extremely physical faced-up in the paint. Ball handling is solid and will allow him to move around and be impactful on the wing. Solid as a perimeter shooter off the catch and drives it a bit from the wing but still developing. Defensively he can defend 4/5 in the post pretty well.
Dylan Jones – 6’8 / PF / 2019 / Waukee (IA) / Iowa Barnstormers 2019
Dylan is a tall forward with some skill and scoring ability. Really solid slasher into the lane with his ball handling ability. Willing to play inside although he’s more built as a perimeter wing forward. He’s a solid rim protector and uses his size and length well but the athleticism is allowing his skill to play up a bit. Wasn’t a great shooter this weekend but form looks good and repeatable.