City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2022 Forwards
Jacksonville has a lot to proud of when it comes to basketball talent. The 2022 class has some intriguing prospects at the forward position. Here is a look at the Top 10 forwards in the Jacksonville 2022 class. Check back…
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Continue ReadingJacksonville has a lot to proud of when it comes to basketball talent.
The 2022 class has some intriguing prospects at the forward position.
Here is a look at the Top 10 forwards in the Jacksonville 2022 class. Check back later this week to see the rest of the positional groups in the class from Jacksonville with 2023 names to know to follow. Then, it will be onto Pensacola for a City Rankings there.
ICYMI:
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Point Guards
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Shooting Guards
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Wings
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2021 Bigs
City Rankings: Jacksonville Area 2022 Guards
Forwards
#1- Manok Lual Manok Lual 6'8" | PF Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL | 6-8 | Bishop Snyder
This was a breakout weekend for Manok Lual Manok Lual 6'8" | PF Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL . Not only did the lengthy and athletic forward transfer from Wolfson to Bishop Snyder, but he also earned offers from Kennesaw State and Stetson on Saturday. Those came after he performed well at The Virtual Player Evaluation Series run by Team Parsons. Lual has a keen awareness as a finisher, has nice speed and his long arms help him on both ends of the floor. The small forward/power forward averaged 10.0 PPG and 5.0 APG as a sophomore. Lual is just starting to hit his true stride.
#2- Moise Balungu Moise Balungu 6'4" | SF Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL | 6-6 | Bishop Snyder
One of the burstiest wings you’ll see, Moise Balungu Moise Balungu 6'4" | SF Bishop Snyder | 2022 State FL was a consistent threat for Ridgeview (transferred to Bishop Snyder on Wednesday) as a sophomore, averaging 19.3 PPG and 10.2 RPG, scoring in double digits in all but one game. He had 11 games with 20 plus points including multiple 31-point performances and 19 double doubles. Balungu can flat out fly down the floor and is a true playmaker (VIDEO). Alongside Lual, the new tandem could be the most versatile forward duo regardless of class.
#3 – James Morrow James Morrow 6'7" | PF Andrew Jackson | 2022 State FL , Aiden Joseph & Xavier Croson Xavier Croson 6'6" | SF Atlantic Coast | 2022 State FL | Beaches Chapel
Beaches Chapel welcomed three big bodies to its program this week. James Morrow James Morrow 6'7" | PF Andrew Jackson | 2022 State FL , a 6’7″ forward arrived from Andrew Jackson and is quickly maturing as a bonafide big man who can handle the rock. Morrow is not done growing yet and has earned strong interest from Wisconsin Milwaukee. Aiden Joseph is a 6’9″ center who came back to Florida after playing at Ohio Spire. The Tampa born athlete is drawing interest from VMI and is going to be hard to stop defensively. Lastly, Xavier Croson Xavier Croson 6'6" | SF Atlantic Coast | 2022 State FL transferred in from Sandalwood and is a highly talented shooter with length. The trio will give Beaches Chapel a lot to work with.
#4- Lajae Jones Lajae Jones 6'5" | PG Fletcher | 2022 State FL | 6-3 | Fletcher
An undersized forward who plays way bigger than his size, Lajae Jones Lajae Jones 6'5" | PG Fletcher | 2022 State FL is fresh off a nice season at Neptune Beach Fletcher. Alongside lead guard Zyhir Sims Zyhir Sims 6'3" | CG Fletcher | 2021 State FL , Jones averaged 13.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG and 2.3 SPG this past year. He quietly had 23 games in double digits and 10 games with three or more steals. Jones really shined against 4A state semifinalist Paxon in the regular season with 23 points and eight boards. This is a tough athlete right here.
#5 – Luke Pirris Luke Pirris 6'3" | SF Ponte Vedra | 2022 State FL | 6-3 | Ponte Vedra
Luke Pirris Luke Pirris 6'3" | SF Ponte Vedra | 2022 State FL is an outside linebacker for the football team at Ponte Vedra and he was a mainstay night in and night out for the basketball squad. Pirris averaged 12.2 PPG and 3.9 RPG. He isn’t the fastest player but he is super fundamental and he can finish with both hands at the cup. The guard/wing has a smart shot selection and a good feel for the game. Highlights via Hudl.
#6- Seth Allen Seth Allen 6'2" | CG Providence | 2022 State FL | 6-3 | Providence
A hybrid type player, Seth Allen Seth Allen 6'2" | CG Providence | 2022 State FL is packed with strength and leaping ability as a wing/power forward. He can shoot from deep at a high clip and always seems to be a pest, generating steals and reeling in rebounds. Allen averaged 8.3 PPG and 3.6 RPG at Providence this past season as he scored in all but one game and had eight double digit finishes. He had multiple 19-point games where he shot a combined 73 percent from the field in those two matchups against Bishop Snyder and West Nassau. Shooting 65 percent from the field as a sophomore, Allen will look to expand his role further.
#7 – Kelvin Johnson Kelvin Johnson 6'5" | PF Impact Christian | 2022 State FL | 6-5 | Impact Christian
Kelvin Johnson Kelvin Johnson 6'5" | PF Impact Christian | 2022 State FL is the younger brother of 2021 Impact Christian guard Calvin Johnson Calvin Johnson 6'5" | CG Impact Christian | 2021 State FL . He came a long way this past season, helping his squad reach the Class 2A state final before losing to Orlando Christian Prep. Johnson averaged 7.6 PPG and 4.7 RPG with a season-best 16 points against Westside. He is progressing as a slasher but can stand to be more aggressive and develop his jumper further. This is an important year for Johnson.
#8 – Maxwell Hunstad | 6-7 | Bartram Trail
A long body, Hunstad is a very intriguing prospect at this point in his career at St. John’s Bartram Trail. He is a very unselfish player who has really solid handles and can push the floor like a guard. His jumper is seasoned and he passes to set up his teammates with open looks and shots. Hunstad can work on adding muscle and being more powerful as a finisher, but he has a nice skillset in place for a forward. Highlights via Hudl.
#9- Ahman Greenidge Ahman Greenidge 6'4" | SF Fleming Island | 2022 State FL | 6-4 | Fleming Island
As strong as they come, Ahman Greenidge Ahman Greenidge 6'4" | SF Fleming Island | 2022 State FL is built like a true football player at 6-4, 215 lbs. He is hard to slow down when he is coming into the lane and his push on the break is dangerous. At Orange Park Fleming Island, Greenidge served as a consistent threat inside as he averaged 5.9 PPG and 5.9 RPG. He had 17 games with five or more rebounds and six games in double digits with a game-high of 14 against First Coast. I like Greenidge’s defensive intensity as well. Highlights via Hudl.
#10 – Joshua Swann | 5-10 | Mandarin
Mandarin used a small lineup a season ago forcing Joshua Swann to the four spot where he was tasked to grab boards and be a cleanup artist for his side. He will slide over to the wing this fall and that is a natural fit for his work ethic. Swann averaged 6.4 PPG and 3.6 RPG with eight double-digit games which featured a 19-point performance against Bolles where he shot 8-of-12 from the field overall. This is a breakout chance for him this fall.
Other names to know:
Brandon Peavy | 6-2 | Clay
A transfer in from Mississippi, Brandon Peavy is a tough assignment at 6’2″, 200 lbs. He’s strong in his upper body and can move guys around offensively at the wing or four spot. Peavy is undersized but he is an endless worker for Green Cove Springs Clay. Highlights via Hudl.
Antoine Sandy | 6-3 | Oakleaf
For Orange Park Oakleaf, Antoine Sandy had a steady role as a sophomore, averaging 6.8 PPG and 4.1 RPG. He has very long arms and is starting to fill out his frame. With more minutes, the scoring will increase for Sandy as a junior.
Marcell White | 6-0 | Yulee
Playing a forward role at a rebuilding Yulee program, Marcell White averaged 8.3 PPG and 4.0 RPG as a sophomore. He had nine games in double digits which included a 21-point outing against Harvest Community. White can stand to improve his efficiency as a shooter overall.