The Breakdown: 2021 Bigs Part 1

<p>Believe it or not the traditional big is still a very deep and valuable position when it comes to the next level.</p> <p>In this edition of "The Breakdown", I lock in on some special big guys in the class of 2021. </p> <p>With a lot to choose from in this class depending on need lets take a look at some things that make these players valuable and some things that will help up their stock.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trinity-bell/">[player_tooltip player_id="886963" first="Trinity" last="Bell"]</a>, 6’7 PF, Albertville: "A Load" is the best way to describe this prospect. With his size and ability to establish consistent deep post position is refreshing to watch. A 2-sport athlete will be interesting to see if he chooses the gridiron or the hardwood.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 60px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Needs to improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"> <ul> <li>Size and strength on the block</li> <li>Ability to establish deep post position</li> <li>Can score from either block over either shoulder.</li> <li>Extremely athletic</li> <li>Plays high above the rim</li> <li>Space eater</li> <li>Relentless rebounder on both ends</li> <li>Strength makes him tough to score over the top</li> <li>Decent touch out to 15 feet</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"> <ul> <li>Conditioning</li> <li>Ability to guard perimeter bigs</li> <li>Shooting range</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Projected Level:</strong> Mid/Low/High Major</td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/bryson-hall/">[player_tooltip player_id="886964" first="Bryson" last="Hall"]</a>, 6’7 PF, Tuscaloosa County: A smooth big body lefty that if he continues to work on his body could be a potential high major talent. His ability to play multiple positions on the offensive end makes him a matchup nightmare.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 172px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Needs to improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 132px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 132px;"> <ul> <li>Ability to create mismatches on the perimeter</li> <li>Range</li> <li>Hands</li> <li>Playmaking ability</li> <li>Touch around the basket</li> <li>Ability to beat defenders off the dribble</li> <li>Lateral Quickness for size</li> <li>Space eater</li> <li>Strong</li> <li>Jumphook over right shoulder either block</li> <li>Lefty</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 132px;"> <ul> <li>Conditioning</li> <li>End to End speed</li> <li>Vertical</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Projected Level: </strong>Mid/Low/High Major/Juco</td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/pj-eason/">[player_tooltip player_id="886966" first="PJ" last="Eason"]</a>, 6’9 PF/C, Dadeville: This kid is a great pick and roll big man who has good hands and an extremely long frame. His ability to get out and run in the open floor, rebound the ball, and be a rim protector is what makes him one of the best bigs in the state.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Needs to improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>Length</li> <li>Ability to run and finish in transition</li> <li>Very good rebounder on both ends</li> <li>Rim Protector</li> <li>Very good at catching and finishing lobs</li> <li>Ability to finish around the rim</li> <li>Coordination</li> <li>Footwork</li> <li>Understanding of verticality</li> <li>10-14 foot jump shot</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%;"> <ul> <li>On court communication</li> <li>Go to post moves</li> <li>Strength</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 50%;"><strong>Projected Level: </strong>Mid/Low/High Major/Juco</td> <td style="width: 50%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/landon-williams/">[player_tooltip player_id="886968" first="Landon" last="Williams"]</a>, 6’8 PF, Alexandria: A pick and pop big that excels in shooting the ball from outside. He has a big strong body that also helps him excel in the post. Very good rebounder despite vertical limitations.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 191px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Needs to improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 151px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 151px;"> <ul> <li>Ability to establish early post position</li> <li>Ability to shoot from 15 feet out to the 3 point line</li> <li>Strength</li> <li>Rebounding on both ends</li> <li>Ability to block shots without elite athleticism</li> <li>Scoring around the basket with either hand</li> <li>Space eater</li> <li>Screen setter</li> <li>Good ball skills</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 151px;"> <ul> <li>Vertical</li> <li>Lateral Quickness</li> <li>End to end speed</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Projected Level: </strong>Low Major/D2/Juco</td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rayquan-taylor/">[player_tooltip player_id="801054" first="RayQuan" last="Taylor"]</a>, 6’9 PF/C, Carver-Montgomery: A long and rangy pick and roll big that does his damage around the basket. He does a great job at challenging and changing shots on the defensive end and is a very hard worker.</p> <ul> <li> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 79px;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Strengths:</strong></td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"><strong>Needs to improve:</strong></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 20px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"> <ul> <li>Runs the floor well</li> <li>Good Hands</li> <li>High-level lob catcher</li> <li>High-level rim protector</li> <li>Offensive Rebounder</li> <li>Work ethic</li> <li>Ability to score in the paint </li> <li>Understands verticality</li> <li>Good in the open floor on the wing or rim runs</li> <li>Right-hand jump hook from the left block</li> </ul> </td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 20px;"> <ul> <li>Strength</li> <li>Back to the basket scoring ability</li> <li>Ball skills</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 39px;"> <td style="width: 50%; height: 39px;"><strong>Projected Level: </strong>University of North Alabama Commit</td> <td style="width: 50%; height: 39px;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p>