Postseason Report: 2022 Forwards to Watch
With the grassroots season on hold, 2021 and 2022 high school prospects are missing an opportunity to earn college recognition. With certain players already at a disadvantage due to school location, the grassroots season is a chance for guys who…
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Continue ReadingWith the grassroots season on hold, 2021 and 2022 high school prospects are missing an opportunity to earn college recognition. With certain players already at a disadvantage due to school location, the grassroots season is a chance for guys who wouldn’t get as much attention to gain valuable experience against other high-end talent players.
Until the grassroots season starts up again, it’s a waiting game.
While we wait, here are some forwards to watch from the 2022 class:
Joe Hurlburt, Enderlin
Arguably the best prospect in North Dakota regardless of age, Hurlburt has already garnered Division I interest. He stands to gain a lot from exposure on the AAU circuit, as he is rarely tested against high-end bigs during the high school season. At 6-foot-10, Hurlburt has the athleticism and mobility that will make evaluators salivate. His skill level is solid, as he’s got workable perimeter skills, a solid passing ability and big-time defensive potential.
Gus Hurlburt, Enderlin
A high-quality prospect in his own right, Gus Hurlburt hasn’t put up the same gaudy numbers as Joe, but he’s been productive in two years as an underclassman, averaging 11 points and seven rebounds as a freshman and 13 points and eight boards as a sophomore. At 6-foot-8, Hurlburt has a solid skillset with the ability to handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter, plus the athleticism to defend up or down a lineup.
Scott Wagner, Ellendale
Wagner broke out over the second half of his freshman season, helping lead Ellendale to the state tournament. He continued on his upward progression as a sophomore, earning all-state honors while averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds. At 6-foot-7, Wagner is a force on both backboards and knows how to use his body to finish around the rim. He’s a high-effort guy on both ends, has solid footwork and a soft touch.
Zander Albers, Bismarck Legacy
Albers was a key cog for a Sabers team that was one of the youngest in Class A last season, and he was productive against bigger and older players. The 6-foot-4 to-be junior averaged 9.3 points and 5.9 rebounds and showed signs of huge potential as an underclassman. He knocked down 31 percent of his 3-pointers on nearly four attempts per game and shot better than 50 percent from inside the arc. He’ll be a key cog for the Legacy team that has a chance at contending for a state title next year.
Kayden Chadwick, Velva
Chadwick burst onto the scene for the Aggies last season after going into the year as something of an unknown. The 6-foot-6 big man gained more minutes as the season went on and consistently provided double-double production and quality interior scoring. Velva has a chance to be one of the best teams in Class B and Chadwick growing into a force in the paint is a big key.
Jalen May, Fargo North
May was a rotation minutes guy for the Spartans as a sophomore, averaging 8.3 points per game while shooting about 50 percent from the field. He showcased a solid-looking outside shot, as well as solid footwork and the ability to score inside against bigger, more experienced players. He’ll be a much more heavily featured piece for Fargo North next season and could blossom into one of the top big men in the EDC.