Names to Know: 2022 Big Men (Part III)

<p>With AAU season just underway, college coaches are starting to add names to their 2022 recruiting lists. With big men being in high demand, I decided to highlight some of the better post players I have seen this past year.</p> <p><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id="1062412" first="Pape" last="Lamine Niang"] 6-10 Central Pointe Christian AAU: CP25</strong></p> <p>In a crowded front court, Niang turned some heads this past year for Central Pointe Christian Academy. He is relatively new to the game however his upside cannot be denied. He is a legitimate 6-10 with long arms, and best of all he knows his job. He plays close to the basket, rebounds, block shots and dunks. Unlike most big men that are new to the game Niang keeps the ball up high so that guards can’t dig down and strip the ball away. The center runs the floor hard and his frame while thin will not be that way for long with continued work in the weight room. So far Division I schools of all levels are keeping a close eye on the developing big.</p> <p><strong>C [player_tooltip player_id="1062414" first="Edward" last="Nnamoko"] 6-11 Riviera Prep AAU: Showtime Ballers</strong></p> <p>Riviera Prep canceled their season so Nnamako did not play in high school this year. While sitting out was not ideal it provided an opportunity for the young center to work on his game and continue to add polish. At 6-11 Nnamako runs the floor like a guard and provides a serious interior presence both offensively and defensively. Nnamako holds an offer from Samford.</p> <p><strong>F/C [player_tooltip player_id="1065410" first="Stephon" last="Payne"] 6-8 Andrew Jackson AAU: CP25 North Florida/OTOD</strong></p> <p>Another member of Andrew Jackson’s huge front court this year was [player_tooltip player_id="1065410" first="Stephon" last="Payne"]. Another big man who runs the floor, battles on the interior, and blocks shots. The big fella played a major role on Jacksons state Final Four team averaging 6.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 1.0 BPG on a well balanced scoring defense first team.</p> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id="1161397" first="Joey" last="Decker"] 6-8 Parrish Community AAU: CP25 SWFL</strong></p> <p>Bursting onto the seen in SWFL, Decker put up numbers of 15.1PPG, 9.8 RPG and 2.3 BPG leading his team to a 12-9 record. What stands out the most about the forwards game is his ability to shoot the ball. He made 18 of his 35 3-point tries this season, and he is more than capable of knocking down the mid-range. Recruiting wise the young big man is in the early stages but as we get deeper into the AAU season don’t be surprised to hear his name more.</p> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id="1065413" first="Joey" last="Depryor"] 6-6 Boone AAU: Nona Basketball</strong></p> <p>Sharing the court with two extremely talented guards [player_tooltip player_id="953090" first="Will" last="Searl"] (Converse College) and [player_tooltip player_id="818947" first="Javion" last="Phelps"] (South Dakota football), Depryor provided a strong interior presence for Boone. The forward scrapped inside for rebounds blocked shots and excelled as a passer from the high post in Boones system. On the year he averaged 11 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 2.0 APG helping lead the Braves to a 17-11 record playing against top Orlando teams all year.</p> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id="956782" first="Conner" last="Weston"] 6-7 Jupiter Christian AAU: Ball4lyfe</strong></p> <p>Another big man who impressed this season was Connor Weston. The sturdy 6-7 forward led Jupiter Christian in scoring and was second in rebounding with a stat line of 17.3 PPG and 7.4 RPG. The rising senior has range out to the 3-point line where he made 22 on the year, and he can also put the ball on the floor to get past slower big men. Off the court, Weston has a 3.8 GPA and is someone for high academic schools to be aware of.</p> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id="1161394" first="Alex" last="Steen"] 6-7 Arnold (Panama City) AAU: Hawks Elite</strong></p> <p>I’m not sure what it is but every year the panhandle has a prospect that comes out of nowhere and catches the eyes of college coaches. This year [player_tooltip player_id="1161394" first="Alex" last="Steen"] went from being a rotational player for Arnold to the go to guy. When quarantine hit the young combo forward went to work everyday on his game. At an athletic 6-7 Steen is a highlight waiting to happen and had his fair share of poster dunks throughout the season. The forward more than tripled his output from his sophomore season averaging 21.2 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 1.2 SPG as a junior. Off the court, Steen holds a 4.0 GPA making him a very intriguing prospect for high academic schools.</p> <p><strong>PF [player_tooltip player_id="955595" first="Manok" last="Lual"] 6-8 Bishop Snyder AAU: Georgia Stars </strong></p> <p>The lone player taller than 6-4 on a guard heavy Bishop Snyder team, Lual was frequently tasked with guarding opposing teams biggest, and often best player. On a 20-9 team that has at least five other college players, Lual posted numbers of 8.7 PPG 3.0 RPG and 1.4 BPG. While he is a  player who is relatively new to the game, there is no denying his upside as he boasts great length, runs the floor well and has a high motor. According to verbalcommits.com the big man holds offers from Western Illinois, Stetson and Kennesaw State. </p>