Proving Grounds Standout Bigs (Part 1)

<p>This weekend I made the seven hour trip up to Cartersville,Georgia for the Prep Hoops event:Proving Grounds. Across two long days of basketball I was able to see several college level players. These are a few of the big men who stood out:</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="814906" first="CJ" last="Hawkins"] 6-7 (Judah Nation) HS: Berkley Prep 2022</p> <p>Judah Nation had an excellent weekend playing up a level in the tournaments U-17 Grit Bracket. Led by Hawkins they were able to go 2-1 losing to a very talented Alabama Celtics team. In my second tournament watching the hard-nosed combo forward play, his motor and ability to attack the basket are the two things that stand out the most. After averaging 18 points and double-digit rebounds this weekend, Hawkins picked up his second offer from Western Michigan to go along with IUPUI. A no brainer Division I prospect, how much he improves shooting the ball will ultimately determine what level he plays at.</p> <p>F Clarens Pierre 6-8 (Judah Nation) HS: Ocoee 2022</p> <p>With a long wingspan and great timing, Pierre really stood out this weekend on the defensive side of the ball. With a motor that never stops, the lengthy athlete was able to block eight shots against Team Renegades Elite, and averaged 4.0 BPG on the weekend. Playing at one of the better high school basketball programs in Orlando, the big man looks to polish his offensive game over the next two years. With Ocoee graduating 11 seniors, look for Pierre to standout next year for the Knights. There is a lot of upside here!</p> <p>F/C [player_tooltip player_id="723758" first="Keshawn" last="Murphy"] 6-10 (Alabama Celtics) HS:Ramsay 2021</p> <p>After recently de-committing from Western Kentucky, Murphy has consistently performed in the last two Prep Hoops exposure events. In the Proving Grounds semifinal the big man showed off the ability to stretch the floor knocking down two 3-pointers, and a fade away jumper from 15 feet on his way to 14 points. At 6-10, he runs the floor well, and is surprisingly light on his feet. Many Division I schools are taking notice with Arkansas-Little Rock being his most recent scholarship offer.</p> <p>F [player_tooltip player_id="818693" first="Marquise" last="Rue"] 6-5 (Filling the Lane) HS: Winter Haven 2021</p> <p>Helping his team go 3-0 over the weekend in the U-17 Hard Work bracket, Rue had some impressive moments. In the second half of the finals he scored 12 points including two 3-pointers, and a pair of momentum changing dunks leading FTL to a 50-47 victory. With above average athleticism and the ability to stretch the floor, Rue will be a mismatch nightmare next season for Winter Haven.</p> <p>F/C [player_tooltip player_id="818657" first="Atraiel" last="Washington"] 6-8 (Team Sky Priority) HS: The Rock School</p> <p>An old school big man that loves to play physical inside, Washington does a good job of using his large frame to seal defenders. Active on the glass, the big man averaged near double digit rebounds in the tournament, and showed a soft touch from the mid range. With North Carolina A&amp;T already having offered, the big man should be in for a great year at The Rock School.</p>