Summer Breakouts: 2021 Forwards

<p>These seniors may not occupy the highest spots in our rankings, but here are a “6-pack” who had the kind of summer that not only put them on college radars but align them for big final campaigns this winter (in no particular order).</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="949919" first="Max" last="Hrdlicka"], 6-5, SF, Atlanta T-Wolves, Glynn Academy</strong></em></span></p> <p>Few if any players in the class flew up rankings boards across the state like Hrdlicka, who put on the kind of shooting display for the explosive T-Wolves that was at times head-scratchingly incredible, as the Wolves pushed or wiped out elite program one after the next there was Hrdlicka doing it all, guarding the post as the only big, or stepping out to 25 feet for bomb after bomb, to driving with either hand past slow-footed opposing bigs, his all around prowess feeding off the terrific Wolves guards was one of the summer highlights for sure and his recruitment got a serious jolt because of it.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="869601" first="Jens" last="Rueckert"], 6-4, SF, GA Canes, South Cobb</strong></em></span></p> <p>Rueckert and his noticeable summer garnered notice during the campaign and it continues in the wrap-up, his elite athleticism is what separates him from other players his size, an ability to affect the game from the wing, on the boards or exploding off the break are what make him compelling, love the energy and the way he mentally harrases whoever is guarding him with plenty of moxie, he’s improved his shooting range and that, together with an ability to play so much bigger because of said athletic ability, makes him a highly intriguing get.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="869643" first="Joseph" last="Scott"], 6-7, PF, AC Georgia, Denmark</strong></em></span></p> <p>Scott has always had the impressive body which he used in a strong junior campaign to make a mark on the ATL-metro scene, this summer he added a clearly more refined game to that playing with an uber-talented group of guards at AC Georgia, big-time improvement on his shooting range means he can draw other 4’s out past the arc and open up space for some of Denmark’s talented wings and guards, great fight on the boards at both ends and possesses the high IQ understanding of a winning player, he’ll be a monster steal at the next level.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>[player_tooltip player_id="869638" first="Kevin" last="Taylor"], 6-5, SF, NME, Allatoona (pictured above)</em></span></strong></p> <p>Taylor got on my radar when I saw Allatoona and South Cobb battle last year up at the Bucs gym, he was compelling then and did nothing to take away from that with a tremendous summer of versatile inside-outside skill and savvy, can throw daggers from 3 or post you on the block, a smart rebounder and unselfish teammate and adept passer he was a joy to watch all summer playing alongside McEachern stud [player_tooltip player_id="869604" first="Bobby" last="Moore"] and East Paulding’s [player_tooltip player_id="869629" first="Kristian" last="Ford"] out of the backcourt, like all of NME’s roster who put together such a big summer he’s going to be a massive get for a college program.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1011331" first="Deandre" last="Smart"], 6-6, PF, AC Georgia, New Hampstead</strong></em></span></p> <p>I saw Smart for both Savannah Select and then after the switch to AC Georgia and he jumped off the page, strong and agile in near the basket he’s an elite finisher, and moving onto an ACG roster already occupied by some frontcourt studs he didn’t miss a beat and even upped his game, can really defend and rebound and plays much bigger, love the upside and potential, were he in the ATL-market where I spend most of my time he’d be garnering a ton more attention, but a hard-working college staff will find him and be glad they did.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1004876" first="Jackson" last="Price"], 6-8, PF, Aim High, Hiram</strong></em></span></p> <p>Price was notable last year when I saw him against Cass on the road in a good one, clearly looks like he’s added confidence as a scorer to his already elite level defending at the rim and rebounding prowess, like most modern 4’s the ability to step out to 15 feet and beyond takes you to the next level and Price adding some depth to his offensive game will bring more eyballs to Hornets games this winter, in my coaching days the tantalizing skillset from Price would be very attractive.</p>