2023 Watch List Breakdown: Bigs (Part 1)

<p>We will take an in depth look at the guys we included in the 2023 watch list and why we included them. We will continue by taking a look at part one of the bigs list, looking at six guys we think you should keep an eye on moving forward.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="992529" first="Curtis" last="Blair III"] | 6’6” PF | Steward School</strong></p> <p>Blair has really blown up recently as he’s pulled offers from Virginia Tech, Florida, Richmond and Liberty already. The son of former NBA player and current elite NBA official Curtis Blair Jr., the youngest Blair has shown a ton of potential as a hybrid forward that can play both in the paint and on the perimeter on both ends of the floor. He’s long and athletic and plays above the rim and rebounds on both ends, he’s become a much better shooter from deep and he has the tools to guard multiple positions moving forward.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999617" first="Carter" last="Lang"] | 6’8” C | STAB</strong></p> <p>Lang was one of the most productive freshmen bigs in the state and he did so in the Prep League for a young STAB team that has a lot of potential moving forward. A guy who started as an eighth grader, Lang showed great improvement this year and looked much more confident throughout the season on both ends of the floor. He’s a mix of a throwback big man that can score with his back to the basket and a new age one that can stretch the floor, he plays with a good motor and is a good rebounder on both ends and he still has a ton of room to grow.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999621" first="Brock" last="Vice"] | 6’8” C | Blacksburg</strong></p> <p>Vice is a guy many people probably haven’t heard much about but he’s a guy in the New River Valley in the western part of the state that is chock full of potential moving forward. The son of a line coach at Virginia Tech, Vice is a massive kid that is likely still growing and has some game and a great motor to go along with it. He’s a guy who can run the floor and rebounds well on both ends, he showed touch out past the elbow and he looks like everything is natural so he has a chance to get much better with some work moving forward.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999622" first="Ty" last="Mason"] | 6’7” PF | Bishop O’Connell</strong></p> <p>Mason was part of a young O’Connell group that had their ups and downs in the WCAC this year but have a chance to be very good moving forward with all their young talent. Mason is especially intriguing, as he’s a very skilled big man that’s likely still growing and can play inside-out and both in transition and in the half court. He can shoot the basketball well from deep and stretch the floor, he’s a solid defender both in the post and in help side and he’s still getting better every time you see him play.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999623" first="Luke" last="Smith"] | 6’8” PF | Collegiate</strong></p> <p>Smith came off the bench last year for a good Trinity team and has announced he will transfer to Collegiate and reclassify to the 2023 class next year. The younger brother of Boise State commit [player_tooltip player_id="687567" first="Burke" last="Smith"], the younger one isn’t quite as tall but he has a great skill set and feel for the game like his older brother as well. Smith can run the offense from the perimeter with his ability to pass and make shots from deep, he can put it on the deck and get to spots and he’s able to rebound and start the break with the ball in his hands too.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="979321" first="Ethan" last="Ward"] | 6’5” PF | Landstown</strong></p> <p>Ward was a young guy on an experienced Landstown team that didn’t play too much last year, but he has a chance to be a very good player moving forward with his mix of skill and the high motor he plays with. He’s a big kid who can score with his back to the basket and has a good face up game that includes the ability to hit the elbow jumper, work out of the triple threat and use his size and strength to finish through contact off a few dribbles. He’s still a project but he’s strong and powerful in the paint and plays extremely hard on both ends, and if he continues to improve his perimeter game will be someone to watch moving forward.</p>