2023: Top 10 Power Forward Prospects (Summer Edition)

<p>The 2023 rankings in North Carolina have been updated following the summer season. Here’s a look at the Top 10 Power Forward prospects to track. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1039326" first="Tyler" last="Thompson"] | 6’6 | Panther Creek</strong></p> <p>Thompson is an anchor on the defensive end that protects the rim and battles on the boards, especially for second chance points. His motor is unmatched and hard to defend against given his length and strength at 6-foot-6. He’s an emerging name for all levels to keep an eye on as the top power forward prospect in the class currently.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="854894" first="Mehki" last="Grant"] | 6’9 | Combine Academy</strong></p> <p>Grant is a versatile prospect that has really improved his body over the summer and is a much more athletic forward in the frontcourt as a result. He’s getting downhill with ease on the perimeter and finishing at the rim. In the post, his length is even more useful given his strength now. He’ll be one to watch in the frontcourt with [player_tooltip player_id="854888" first="Robert" last="Dillingham"] running the show. He holds offers from NC State and Wichita State.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="949375" first="Ta’Korrie" last="Faison"] | 6’5 | Goldsboro</strong></p> <p>Faison was a mainstay in the Goldsboro rotation in 2019-20, producing 14.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 1.2 bpg. He’s a physically imposing forward at 6-foot-5 that can attack from the perimeter and on the block. As he learns to be a bigger presence on the defensive end, look for his stock to rise in this class.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1008883" first="Joseph" last="Bachman"] | 6’8 | Laney</strong></p> <p>Bachman was a reserve on the varsity squad at Laney this past season, posting 3.4 ppg and 3.2 rpg but since then, he’s emerged as a prospect that’s relentless rebounding the ball, especially on the offensive end. He’s got a relentless motor that allows him to battle on the glass for buckets and does well protecting the rim on the defensive end using his length. His role should grow at Laney in 2020-21.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="854878" first="Addison" last="Archer"] | 6’7 | Victory Christian</strong></p> <p>Archer is a new name in the Victory Christian rotation after averaging 16.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 1.0 bpg at Chase High School. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect that can attack the rim and finish in traffic using his length and athleticism. He put up 10 double-doubles as a freshman as well. Winthrop has offered him already.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1023635" first="Jaybron" last="Harvey"] | 6’5 | Southern Durham</strong></p> <p>Harvey is an emerging forward prospect with a ton of strength and athleticism that he uses well to protect the rim and play a solid option in the pick-and-roll game. He’s got a solid IQ on the floor and gets to the paint using his frame well to establish position. He’ll be one to track on all levels in the Durham area at Southern Durham High School.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="945078" first="Abrahm" last="Driver"] | 6’8 | Bull City Prep</strong></p> <p>Driver is a recent reclass that’ll move to a loaded Bull City Prep rotation where he’ll add a ton of depth in the frontcourt. He can play either foward spot and can even do work on the perimeter when given space. He’s got nice size and mobility at 6-foot-8 that should bode well for him in 2020-21. Colleges take interest.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="997734" first="Elijah" last="Strong"] | 6’8 | Myers Park</strong></p> <p>Strong is a forward prospect with a ton of potential in the all-around game. He’s got nice handles and mobility already and uses his size well to get to the paint and finish with authority. He’s one of a few young prospects at Myers Park worth tracking.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1049157" first="Will" last="Bostic"] | 6’5 | West Johnston</strong></p> <p>Bostic is an underrated talent that did well on the grassroots scene this past season with No Guts No Glory. He’s got a nice skill set for a prospect of his size which allows him to operate as a trail-man in the fast break but also has a knack for attacking the rim and finishing with authority. His athleticism is something to marvel at. He’ll be a name to watch at West Johnston after appearing on the JV squad in 2019-20.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="854918" first="Horace" last="Smith"] | 6’6 | Kinston</strong></p> <p>Smith is the latest prospect in a long line of versatile forwards at his size. He’ll be a prospect that should appear at times alongside [player_tooltip player_id="533510" first="Dontrez" last="Styles"] in the rotation, giving Kinston quite a sizeable frontcourt to work with in the paint. He’s got nice strength and athleticism to go along with his 6-foot-6 as well. Look for his name to grow over the next few seasons.</p>