2022 Forwards/Bigs on the Rise: Week 9

<p>The state of North Carolina has had its fair share of high school hoops to sort through as February approaches. Here’s a look at some forwards and bigs in the 2022 class on the rise.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="577871" first="Avion" last="Pinner"] | 6’7 Forward | Riverside</h5> <p>The Riverside Knights are 5-0 and [player_tooltip player_id="577871" first="Avion" last="Pinner"] is a big reason why. Pinner led the way with 26 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, three steals and three assists against rival Pamlico County in a 54-49 victory on Thursday night to keep their season perfect. Pinner continues to show he can lead by example, getting to the rim and making plays with the ball in his hands. He’s got nice length and athleticism that he uses well to be a presence on both ends. College coaches in the state would be wise to track him now.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="787668" first="Davis" last="Molnar"] | 6’6 Forward/Wing | Terry Sanford</h5> <p>Molnar was a highly rated prospect in the early going of the 2023 rankings and he’s reminded us all why with his performance in 2020-21. He’s putting up 19.7 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 6.8 apg, 2.7 spg and 1.8 bpg through the Bulldogs’ first six games of the young season. He’s got his squad off to a 6-0 start with his ability to make things happen on both ends using his relentless motor. He put up 38 points against South View on 13-of-18 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 shooting from behind the arc on Jan. 15 in a victory. Since then, he hasn’t put up less than 22 points. He also had 15 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks and four steals against South View. Buy stock now. Ole Miss, Elon and Campbell have offered him.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1032849" first="Khouri" last="Carvey"] | 6’8 Forward/Center | Community Christian</h5> <p>Carvey has had quite the productive junior season in the frontcourt for Community Christian. He put up some solid numbers this past week as his squad went 1-1 and they’re currently 6-3 on the season. He put up 20 points and 17 rebounds in a loss to Lee Christian on Jan. 15, but bounced back with 15 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Grace Christian on Friday. He’s posted eight double-doubles on the season while averaging 24.0 ppg and 17.9 rpg through nine games this year. He’s a long, wiry big man that makes his presence felt on both ends. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1008879" first="Cade" last="Tyson"] | 6’7 Forward/Wing | Carmel Christian</h5> <p>Tyson has come along strong in the Carmel Christian rotation in his junior season. He’s averaging 15.8 ppg (2nd on the team), 5.1 rpg (2nd on the team) along with 1.7 apg and 1.1 spg in the frontcourt and on the wing. He came up big with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and four made 3-pointers in their win over Northside Christian on Thursday. He’s a versatile prospect that can play inside and out on both ends. Charlotte has offered him already.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1120782" first="Dre" last="Irvin"] | 6’2 Forward/Wing | Wayne Country Day</h5> <p>Irvin is undersized at the forward position at 6-foot-2, but he makes up for it with his ability to establish position down low and battle on the boards on both ends. He’s produced 8.8 ppg and 8.9 rpg for Wayne Country Day in 2020-21 while shooting 77 percent from the field. 47 of his 116 rebounds on the season are on the offensive end. He’s a prospect that’s found his niche cleaning up the glass and finding easy baskets around the rim in the rotation. He’s a strong forward prospect for colleges at the lower levels. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1120554" first="Cade" last="Preston"] | 6’5 Forward | Charlotte Christian</h5> <p>Preston is a prospect that had a busy January in the Charlotte Christian rotation. He put up 11 points against Carmel Christian in a 66-65 loss and showed he can battle in the paint when called upon. He’s also not afraid to operate on the wing and be a facilitator as well. He’s putting up 4.6 ppg and 4.1 rpg in the rotation this season. Look for his role to grow as playoffs approach.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1120321" first="Caleb" last="Maul"] | 6’8 Forward/Center | Metrolina Christian Academy</h5> <p>Maul is an emerging prospect at Metrolina Christian Academy in the 2022 class. He’s producing 7.0 ppg and 3.3 rpg through 16 games on the season. He’s a big man that can operate inside and stretch the floor with his outside shot. He’s shot just six 3-pointers on the season but made five of them in 2020-21. He put up 14 points along with two made 3-pointers this past Tuesday while adding in four rebounds (3 offensive) in a win over Hickory Grove Christian. He’s a stretch-forward prospect to track in the 2022 class.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1105804" first="Landon" last="Nall"] | 6’9 Forward/Center | University Prep Academy</h5> <p>Nall is a forward prospect that’s developing nicely in the 2022 class. He’s done a nice job showing he can do more than score, securing eight double-doubles through 10 games on the 2020-21 season. He’s averaging 10.2 ppg, 12.7 rpg and 2.4 bpg in the University Prep rotation this season. He’s generated at least a block in every appearance he’s made as a junior and has shown improved strength in the paint. He’s one to keep an eye on.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="932126" first="Ayinde" last="Taylor II"] | 6’6 Forward/Center | North Raleigh Christian Academy</h5> <p>Taylor has made big strides in the paint at North Raleigh Christian Academy. He’s putting up 14.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 spg and 1.3 bpg in their rotation in 2020-21. He’s a mobile forward with athleticism and playmaking ability to go along with his strong frame. He’s put together two double-doubles already through nine games and shown he can fill it up with efficiency. He’s shooting 59 percent from the field and has put together a 25-point performance on 8-of-12 shooting. He’s emerging as a strong paint presence in the 2022 class.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1022040" first="Iffy" last="Ufochukwu"] | 6’9 Forward/Center | Covenant Day School</h5> <p>Iffy has come on strong in the month of January for Covenant Day School. He put up 9.3 ppg and 7.0 rpg through four games in the month while putting up double figures in all but one contest across the same stretch. He put up a season-best 13 points and 11 rebounds against Ravenscroft though it came in a 49-48 loss on Jan. 16. Look for his stock to grow in the frontcourt very soon for Covenant Day.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>