Brawl for the Ball: Top Wings/Bigs
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Part 2 of my livestream coverage from Brawl for the Ball brings the attention to the Wings and Bigs. Livestream evaluations sometimes makes it difficult to truly see how big a guy is compared to in person. Nonetheless, these players…
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Continue ReadingPart 2 of my livestream coverage from Brawl for the Ball brings the attention to the Wings and Bigs. Livestream evaluations sometimes makes it difficult to truly see how big a guy is compared to in person. Nonetheless, these players impressed with other aspects of the game beyond their height or frames.
Cayden Jacoby Cayden Jacoby 6'9" | C Pettisville | 2023 State OH (2023)- C2K Thunder (Pettisville) 6-8 PF
Jacoby was a guy that instantly jumps off the screen for me when watching livestream as one can tell he’s one of the taller players on the floor. Defensively he utilized this length on the perimeter, using his long arms to force Indy Heat to make different approaches to passing. I’ll admit I like his size, but I’ll want to see him add to his frame as he could be a hidden gem for college coaches if he can add more physicality to his already solid frame.
Jack Knapke (2024)- NW Ohio (Marion Local) 6-8 PF
Knapke is a name I hadn’t heard of due to him being a 2024, but I’m certainly glad I checked out his game against Storm 25. The 6 foot 8 PF already looks like a football linebacker and uses his size to be a force on the glass. I really was impressed with his defensive mind as he had textbook hedges on ball screens. Fought in the trenches for rebounds. Not the fastest player on the floor, but he could control the paint with his toughness.
Atticus Schuler Atticus Schuler 6'6" | PF Desales | 2022 State OH (2022)- Central Ohio AAU (St. Francis DeSales) 6-6 SF
This served as my first chance to see Schuler since his State Championship appearance with DeSales in March. Playing as a secondary scoring option in that game, Schuler saw a bit of a different role in the matchup I watched Wednesday against Indy Heat. Took the role of distributor as he really passed the ball well and setup teammates. Used the dribble drive to draw defenders in and kicked to perimeter. Very unselfish. Played well on the defensive end getting a hand up while defending perimeter. We already know what Schuler is capable of on the offensive end. Combine this with his unselfishness shown this past weekend and you have a very intriguing prospect.
Tyshawn Smiley (2021)- C2K Lima (Ginn Academy) 6-6 SF
Smiley was the only 2021 I saw in livestreams. Very good interior player on both ends of the floor. Showed he can come out and defend on the perimeter and has the fundamentals down with good hands and lateral movement. Versatile as a scorer showing capabilities to make shots from all 3 levels. Rim runs and gets hands on put backs offensively.