Run n' Slam: Landon's Standout 2022 Forwards

After a long weekend of top-level talent at the Run n’ Slam in Fort Wayne, here are the top 2022 forwards that stood out to me throughout a great weekend of hoops that did not disappoint.   [player_tooltip player_id="1006434" first="Reggie" last="Bass"] - 6’5" - Team Teague Bass is a bigger wing with a ton of potential, and he was one of the better performers that I saw this weekend. He is a top-level scorer who has a gnarly step-back jumper and always takes it hard to the hole. He has a ton of arch on his shot and was absolutely on fire shooting the ball in the second half. Bass is also very quick with good handles, and he can jump out of the gym. Brad Underwood is getting a top-level talent in Bass, and he should thrive at Illinois.   [player_tooltip player_id="771516" first="AJ" last="Casey"] - 6’8" - Meanstreets Casey is the number one player in Illinois and the number ten player in the country for a reason, and he showed that in a big way this weekend. At 6’8, he is extremely long and lanky and uses his length to disrupt offenses and get to the hole with ease. He has great moves inside when getting to the rim and can finish with ease. He knocked down shots from the outside and spaced the floor very well. He also rebounded incredibly well and probably averaged around 8 a game for the weekend. He is a no doubt 5-star prospect, and he basically has his choice of school this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id="870256" first="Logan" last="Gard"] - 6’6" - Indiana Elite Focus Premier Gard is a big man inside who plays very well in the paint on both ends of the floor. On the offensive end, he finished consistently around the rim and showed off a nice little hook shot inside. Gard is also pretty athletic for a big post player inside and attacks the glass strong on both ends of the floor. Gard doesn’t have an outside shot which makes him a pretty traditional post player, but he is a guy that could make a paint impact at a Division 3 program.   [player_tooltip player_id="870302" first="Ashton" last="Johnson"] - 6’3" - Indiana Elite Focus Premier Johnson is a bigger wing who is a flat-out playmaker. He is a natural scorer who can stroke it from the outside and also beat everyone off the dribble. He is a physical driver of the basketball who will go right through his defender to get to the hole. Johnson did have a quick trigger at some points in the game, but that is understandable given he was the best player on the floor. This guy can be a playmaker for any Division 3 school in the coming year.   [player_tooltip player_id="921792" first="AJ" last="Jump"] - 6’6" - Gym Rats Red Jump was probably one of the better players on the court in this one. He has a ton of size and the athletic ability to basically do it all. He can knock down shots consistently from the outside, and his physicality and size allow him to excel in the paint as well. He has solid footwork and had some good moves in the post. With his size and his skill set, a school that can polish him up with have a really good player in the future.   [player_tooltip player_id="870237" first="Luke" last="LaGrange"] - 6’6" - Gym Rats Red LaGrange is a player that has the skill, but he just hasn’t been the same player since his past injuries. He can stroke it from the outside, and he can create his own shot in the mid-range. He didn’t show much besides for the shooting, but he will be an interesting player to watch redevelop in the coming year.   [player_tooltip player_id="809640" first="Jagger" last="Landers"] - 6’6" - Indy Heat Red Landers is a bigger forward who used his athleticism very well. He is a solid scorer who can knock shots down from the outside and make plays around the rim. He threw down a couple of monster fastbreak and put back dunks as well. On the defensive end of the floor, he contested nearly every single shot and came up with a couple of steals by reading passing lanes. Landers is a tough player who has a big chance to step up for Antwerp next season.   [player_tooltip player_id="1063973" first="Cael" last="Vanderbush"] - 6’7" - Gym Rats Red Vanderbush is a bigger wing that can score the ball from the outside very consistently. On the defensive end of the floor, he plays a very physical press defense that makes it very difficult for his opponents to get past him. This led to a lot of frustration from the scorers that he was matched up against. Vanderbush has also increased his vertical by at least a couple inches since the high school season as it seemed like he was jumping out of the building for some of the rebounds that he grabbed. He will be an interesting prospect to see continue to grow over the summer and his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id="769653" first="Jalen" last="Washington"] - 6’8" - Meanstreets Washington is a big man who can basically do it all on the offensive end of the floor. He is a lights-out shooter from the outside which allows him to space the floor for his teammates, and he can dominate in the post with his 7-foot frame as well. He has good touch around the rim and attacks the glass strong which leads to easy buckets inside. Like his teammate, [player_tooltip player_id="771516" first="AJ" last="Casey"], he is the number one player in the state for a reason, and there really isn’t much competition. Washington picked up an offer from North Carolina on Sunday, and he should have his choice of school when next year rolls around.   [player_tooltip player_id="769678" first="Charlie" last="Williams"] - 6’8" - Team Teague Williams is a big man with tons of athleticism, and he drew the tough task of guarding [player_tooltip player_id="769653" first="Jalen" last="Washington"] in this one. He was constantly putting a body on Washington inside and went straight up every single time. It also seemed like he always stayed on his feet to make it difficult inside. He is also a pretty smart passer who knows how to make the right play with the ball in his hands. He isn’t going to force anything at all. Williams is a high-IQ guy who should be playing mid-major basketball at a high-level next season.