West Coast Recruiting: Undervalued Bigs

<p>The recruiting period for coaches began this Monday. College coaches are heading out all over the country in search of the right prospect for their programs. I talk to tons of coaches, and to a man the player type they’re always searching for are bigs. Obviously talented big men are going to be harder to find for low major programs. In this article PH takes a look at some of the talented bigs around the West Coast, that are flying under the radar.  </p> <p><strong>Pete Boyle 6’8 PF Boulder (CO) 2020</strong> – Son of a coach. Boyle is a high IQ, high skilled player. Prototypical stretch 4 for today’s game. Excels in pick and pop basketball. Boyle plays for the Colorado Titans during the grassroots season. They were 35 -3 this year. He is used to playing in and winning big games.</p> <p><strong>Jaden Brownell 6’8 SF Alta (UT) 2021</strong> – I’ve gone all in on Brownell. Was impressed with him from the first minute I saw him play. Super skilled. Brownell can step out and knock down 3’s and has a versatile post -up game allowing him to score around the basket with both hands. Truly believe he's a D1 scholarship athlete, and that some program is going to get an undervalued stud.  </p> <p><strong>Kyle Karstetter 6’7 SF Moses Lake (Wa) 2020</strong> – One of the best prep shooters in America. Karstetter has textbook form and mechanics. More than just a spot up shooter, expect Karstetter to also put the ball on the ground to make plays for himself and his teammates this year. The type of guy that can develop into a four year starter for the right program.</p> <p><strong>Tanner Poeschl 6’7 SF Skyline (AZ) 2020 – </strong>Poeschl is a gritty post player that scores in a variety of ways<strong>. </strong>One of those players that can do a little bit of everything. Runs the floor well, good hands good touch around the rim. Put up nearly 13ppg as a Jr last season.</p> <p><strong>Demorian Lowe 6’7 PF Calvary Murrieta (CA) 2020</strong> – Lowe gets off the floor well. Scores in pick and pop and P&amp;R action. Aggressive at the rim, he’s looking to put the defender in the basket along with the ball. Had a good Jr season should gain more notoriety if he puts together another consistent year.</p> <p><strong>Jaylon Lee 6’8 PF Arbor View (NV) 2020</strong> – Big physical post. Lee is one of the best rebounders in Nevada. Does an excellent job of using fundamentals along with his athletic ability to carve out space. Raw offensively, however he provides instant rim protection, interior defense and rebounding.</p> <p><strong>Kaden Koch 6’5 PF Desert Valley Prep (NV) 2020</strong> – Some D2 or NAIA school is going to sign Koch and he’s going to go on to become a program favorite. He is an elite skilled basketball player. He can stretch the floor, and he knows how to use pump fakes to get taller defenders off their feet. Koch’s issue is he’s undersized and he plays at about 270. He can’t do anything about his height, however if he can get down to 250 there’s a place for a player like him.</p> <p><strong>Sal Nevarez 6’5 PF Las Cruces (NM) 2020</strong> – Keeping with the undersized theme, there’s Naverez. Can flat out play. Tough bruising banger that uses angles and positioning to make up for size disadvantages. Between his state runner up H.S squad and his New Mexico Ambassadors grassroots team, he’s used to winning.</p> <p><strong>Gavin Gilstrap 6’10 C Central Valley (WA) 2020</strong> – Huge body. Gilstrap is a traditional post that is going to score off putbacks and direct post entries. I realize the game has changed, however winning basketball still comes down to protecting the rim and rebounding, Gilstrap is elite at both. Rare that players of this size are available at the D2 or lower level. With the right coach and the right system, Gilstrap could be a nice find.</p>