Player Breakdown: Blake Buchanan

<p>[player_tooltip player_id="923077" first="Blake" last="Buchanan"] is a 6’8" forward from the class of 2023. Arguably one of the best players in the state for his age, Buchanan was one of the biggest contributors for the Moscow Bears last season. In the upcoming 2020-21 season, Blake will look to lead the Bears again in their quest for a district championship and another run at the state tournament title. Continue reading for a complete breakdown of Blake’s skills and abilities ahead of the 2020-21 season.</p> <p><strong>Defense:</strong> At 6’8", Blake is a force on defense. He has long arms and is very athletic for his height which he likes to use on defense to block shots and hold down the paint. Against opposing bigs, Buchanan is physical and likes to push opponents off of the block. He is also tall enough to sag off of post players that like to operate from mid-range and he can still contest a shot while defending the paint. Against guards, Blake is not the quickest, but he can space and trace in order to deter the guards from having an open look from outside. He moves well laterally and is very coordinated for his size and age which is a major advantage for the Bears. As a rebounder, Blake crashes the boards well after he boxes out on both offense and defense.</p> <p><strong>Offense:</strong> On the other side of the ball, Buchanan is just as dominant. He has the ability to work out of the post or step back and knock down a jumper from the perimeter. Blake does his most significant damage while working out of the block. He has excellent footwork and post moves that lull defenders to sleep before he is able to surprise them with a quick move for an easy bucket. He can play with his back to the basket, or can face-up and hit the mid-range jump shot. Buchanan has also proven himself to be a worthy shooter, knocking down a number of triples on the year with solid form and confidence to shoot more. For his age, Blake plays with the confidence of an upperclassmen and looks comfortable anywhere on the court.</p> <p><strong>Overall:</strong> Blake is a great ball player for the Moscow Bears and will prove to be one of the best in the state by the time he is a senior if he stays in the gym. On defense, he is a powerful presence that can guard on the perimeter or in the post with ease. On offense, Buchanan is skilled at all areas on the court and has the ability to score in a variety of ways. Buchanan would make an excellent forward at the next level.</p>