2020 Grind SZN Kickoff: Standout forwards

<p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">The players listed below were among the players I was able to see, exclusively, and are listed in no order.</span></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="745360" first="Jackson" last="Skipper"] | BTR PF | Sapulpa ’21</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">No player made more of his opportunities last weekend than Skipper, a stretch-three from Sapulpa with indicatively high aspirations to play at the next level. A weekend walk-on for BTR, Skipper was fabulous with the team, fulfilling a roll previously unoccupied on BTR’s already stacked roster; he was exactly what it needed. Leading the way for a two-win, one-loss record, Skipper looked like a man among boys at times with overpowering play in the half-court and full-court runs. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/BTR-17U_-Jalen-Rollerson.-1-1.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1012659 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/BTR-17U_-Jalen-Rollerson.-1-1-300x177.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="177" /></a>A true three-level scorer, Skipper was potent at the low an mid interiors as a scorer and rebounder; he thrived on bullying contending rebounders and returning boards offensively, while he completed more than one <em>on-your-head</em> lob play via Dawsey, Roland, Andrews and others. Thanks to his shooting capabilities, perimeter defenders were placed into a lose-lose situation, as well, where he was able to convert on shots against cautious defenders or reach for low-hanging fruits against adherent defenders. Also possessing face-up shooting talents, Skipper’s 6-foot-7-inch frame aided him in hitting the easy mid-range opportunities at a high percentage. Skipper is not a recruit to be taken lightly, and, without stirring the pot more than I already have, I say this: do not erase him from Division-I candidacy yet.</span></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="745367" first="Colby" last="Onyekuru"] | Oklahoma Swarm SF | Edmond Santa Fe ’21</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Onyekuru had a highlight-reel Sunday, leading Swarm to a sizable win at lunch-time. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Xavier-Alexander-Swarm-Elite-17U_Colby-Onyekuru-1.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1012652 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Xavier-Alexander-Swarm-Elite-17U_Colby-Onyekuru-1-300x192.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="192" /></a>Throughout the weekend and in that game, especially, Onyekuru looked like the transformed player I though he may become in his senior summer. On one sequence, he went on at least a 7-0 run, hitting a 3-pointer as I sat down at his court before following it with back-to-back dunks. When you have a player like Onyekuru on your team, you have an offensive player with three-level scoring talents who can still fit into your system; time-after-time, Onyekuru put the ball in the basket in extensive fashions while still playing conservatively.</span></p> <table style="height: 21px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 21px;"> <td style="width: 100%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Gavin Frakes | Burner U SF | Norman North ’22</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Of the new players I was able to see at the tournament, Frakes was my favorite find. Possessing an array of talents on both ends of the floor, Frakes was the spark-plug for Burner U’s success during numerous stretches of play. Offensively, he displayed some signage that he may be a legitimate multi-level scorer. He converted on shots with his back to the bucket, drove from the perimeter, pulled up at the mid-range and even hit shots from deep. Defensively, he limited scorers of all positions on the perimeter and interiors, benefitting both from his 6-foot-4-inch frame and his iQ on that end.</span></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="938867" first="Jarrett" last="Birdwell"] | Oklahoma Power SF | Kingfisher ’21</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Birdwell has blossomed this summer, and his role within the Oklahoma Power system is one that benefits him. A versatile athlete, you could probably predict what I have to say about Birdwell: he is a versatile scorer who, with some efficiency, can score in a multitude of ways. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Oklahoma-Power-17U_-22.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1012684 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Oklahoma-Power-17U_-22-300x198.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="198" /></a>The 6-foot-4-inch wing-forward hit shots from long-range, the mid-range, showed off his handles and got his share of points in the paint thanks to his rebounding skills and touch around the rim. On one sequence I saw, Birdwell literally scored at three levels on three plays; first with a tough inside finish, then a 3-pointer from the catch followed by a one-dribble sinker from the elbow. Further development of what he already does well could put his recruiting in a nice position.</span></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="958390" first="Anthony" last="Allen"] | Tulsa Hawks PF | Broken Arrow ’22</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">The importance of Allen’s two-way presence for the Hawks’ junior team cannot be understated. With agility and power cooperating for Allen, his skill-set puts him over the top on both ends of the floor. Defensively, Allen held a block party to opposing posts, but it was his <em>block maturity</em> -- basically, gathering blocks without reaching a dangerous foul count -- that impressed me the most, especially considering his age. Offensively, it is pretty obvious how much detail Allen puts into all the right things -- finishing with either hand, mid-range game, finishing through contact and post foot-work. </span></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="955380" first="Caden" last="Fry"] | Tulsa Hawks C | Owasso ’22</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Starring in the front-court alongside Allen, Fry was a standout all-around interior presence last weekend. Coming off the bench, Fry made outstanding scoring contributions, showing off his usage-of-stature to roll on defenders and finish at the rim, a skill he is excels in given his age. At about 6-foot-7 inches, Fry moves with uncanny fluidity, and his dexterity in finishing with either hand near the rim is one of the best traits of his game.</span></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="955401" first="Marcell" last="Perry"] | Oklahoma Chaos SF | Southeast ’22</span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Weekend-to-weekend, Perry keeps impressing while playing a year up on the Chaos senior team. The junior combines an arsenal of developed skills on both ends with one of the most impressive athletic prowesses you will find in the 405-area code. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Oklahoma-Chaos-Elite-17U_Marcell-Perry-1.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1012732 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Oklahoma-Chaos-Elite-17U_Marcell-Perry-1-300x188.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a>After leading 5A in scoring as a sophomore, Perry is back for more action with some new-found skills to aid him, though his natural inclinations could be enough to give opposing mid-courters nightmares. Perry has the bifurcation of overwhelming power and great speed on his side, traits that benefit him on the defensive side, primarily. With his lateral agility, nimble movements and strength, it is almost impossible for opposing paint-scorers to get through <em>or</em> around him to the rack. Offensively, he can gather double-doubles just from rebounding-and-returning, while he has a shot that has progressed significantly in the past year.</span></p> <table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #fdffd6;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 100%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Zach Reherman <span style="font-size: inherit;">| 3T PF | Weatherford ’21</span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">A standout defender, it was Reherman’s work on that side of the floor that impressed the most, though he also showcased some offensive skill. Reherman moves like a receiver, but his 6-foot-6-inch frame really allowed him to use his bounce at the rim to keep shots away from their destination as he made a difficult task for any face-up shooters Pretty strong, standout defender. Swat team.</span></p>