The Beef

As a rather big individual myself, one of my favorite groups of players that I like to spotlight are those thick-bodied standouts who may not look the part, but sure can play the part. These guys are big, but they are strong, nimble and very talented players who get the job done for their teams.

Here is my Prep Hoops Missouri look at what I like to refer to as “The Beef.”

Elijah Bishop 6’7″ Soldan: The 2020 post player has been a four-year standout for the Tigers. He has been one of the most fundamentally sound inside players around with his footwork and ability to score over either shoulder. He has also improved his 3-point shooting. He is averaging 14.6 points and 8.9 rebounds.

Davion Bradford 7’0″ Mehlville: The 2020 center has been a pillar of strength for the Panthers as they powered their way to another conference championship and No. 1 seed in the upcoming district tournament. The 260-pound Kansas State signee is averaging 15.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and theee blocks.

Dylan Branson 6’5″ Mehlville: The 220-pound Class of 2020 guard is one of the most physical perimeter players in the state. He can play bully-ball with the best of them, but he has a high basketball IQ with great court vision and pinpoint passing. He can also get buckets as he averages 16 points a game to go along with his five assists.

Donnie Brown 6’6″ New Madrid Central: The 2021 forward has turned in a solid season for the 17-9 Golden Eagles. He is currently averaging 10 points and five rebounds a game. He uses his big body effectively in the post, but he also has a nice shooting touch from the perimeter as shown by his 20 3-pointers this season.

Jack Burke 6’5″ Eureka: The 2020 forward was one of the state’s most improved players this season. As a junior, he averaged 1.6 points and 1.9 rebounds, but he stepped up big as a senior to average 14 points and eight rebounds while shooting 59 percent from the field in leading the Wildcats to a 17-7 record.

Isaiah Davis 6’2″ Joplin: A 2020 forward who is an excellent multi-sport athlete. The 230-pound Davis was the Player of the Year in football after leading Joplin to the state finals. On the basketball court, he is a double-double threat with his strength and athletic ability.

A.J. Elliott 6’5” Ozark: The 2020 power forward is one of the top post players in the Ozark Region. He is a double-double machine who catches the ball and exhibits great footwork around the basket to go along with his physical strength. He has a variety of moves around the basket with up-and-under moves, pump fakes and jump hooks. When he sees a double team, he is also an excellent passer who will find the open teammates.

Tayven Glasgow 6’2 Lee’s Summit West: The 2020 point guard has lost a lot of weight over the year, but he is still a thick, muscular guard who impacts the game in a variety of ways. He is one of the best in the state when it comes to fundamentals and facilitating for the greater good. He makes the easy play with his court vision and passing to keep his teammates involved. He uses his strength to get to the basket and he can knock down an open 3-pointer.

Terrell Kabala 6’1″ Webb City: The thick-bodied point guard is one of the state’s top two-sport athletes as a football and basketball player. He’s a Division I football prospect who led Webb City to yet another state championship this past season. However, he is headed to Arkansas-Fort Smith to play basketball. He is a physical point guard with excellent athleticism and a high level of skill. He can break down defenders off the dribble and knock down jumpers and dunk in traffic.

Nick Kramer 6’3” SLUH: The thick 2022 wing is a cornerstone for the Jr. Bills rebuilding process with his versatile skills and 3-point shooting. He is averaging 17 points and five rebounds while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range. He’s also displayed a clutch gene with two last-second buckets for victories in the past two weeks.

Seth Larsen 6’5″ Hickman: A very skilled 2021 wing who is a very creative player with the basketball in his hands. He can handle the ball like it’s on a string to get to the basket or to create space for a perimeter jumper. He is also very good at making plays for his teammates with his passing ability.

Isaac Legard 6’1″ Principia: I saw the 310-pound 2022 forward for the first time at a district tournament last weekend and was impressed with his mobility and solid skill set.  He finished the season averaging nearly 10 points and five rebounds a game.

Anthony Lewis 6’1″ St. Dominic: A thick 2021 shooting guard who can really shoot the ball from long distance. He is very good off the catch and can also shoot the ball well coming off screens. He is averaging 11 points a game while shooting 40 percent from long distance with 65 made 3-pointers on the season.

Lucas Morrison 6’9″ Salem: The 2021 center checks in at about 280 pounds and he knows how to use his size and bulk around the basket with several double-doubles to his credit. He establishes his position well and he has a nice shooting touch. He will run with Arsenal Hoops during the grassroots season.

Matt Schark 6’4″ Francis Howell: The 2020 forward has enjoyed a tremendous career as the schools all-time leading scorer with a current total of 1,768 points and counting. He led the Vikings to the school’s first ever Final Four appearance last year and a 23-1 record this year with his combination of bullish post moves and 3-point shooting.

Keyren Spiller 6’4″ Center: The 2021 combo forward is a versatile talent who gets the job done anywhere on the court. He has a nice power game in the post, but he is very comfortable on the perimeter with his ball handling skills and ability to get buckets and cause all kinds of match-up problems. He is also an active defensive player.

Rashad Weekly 6’0″ Trinity: The 2020 point guard is one of the top guards in the state. He uses his physical size to overpower opposing guards, but he also has creative handles and skills to get buckets from anywhere. When the 3-pointer is falling, he is really tough to stop. The Central Michigan signee is averaging 16 points a game in leading the Titans to another 20-victory season.

Zach Westmoreland 6’1″ Joplin: An All-State wide receiver on a great Joplin football team, the beefy wing is an explosive athlete on the basketball court who has had more than her share of crowd pleasing dunks this season.

John Wilson 6’6″ St. Charles West: The 2021 forward is a 275-pound standout offensive lineman on the football field who also gets the job done on the basketball court. He is tough to move when he gets down into the post and he has a nice shooting touch. He is currently averaging 14 points and eight rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field.