#PHTheFinale: 15U Standout Forwards

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — The Finale, presented by Prep Hoops was another stop on the Prep Hoops Circuit that brought out the best of the best competition, this time from all over the South and Midwest. This action-packed event was filled with talented recruits from slam dunkers to ankle breakers to knock down jump shooters. Here we’ll take a look at the 15U the highest-performing Forwards from The Finale that really stood out and made a major impact on the floor. <hr /> <img class="size-medium wp-image-1233500 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/IMG_0212-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />Will Smith | Height: 6’3 | Team Buddy Buckets 2024 Will Smith was the key contributor on both offense and defense. The Team Buddy Buckets forward displayed outstanding effort, physicality that went unmatched, and fantastic basketball instincts. Smith hustled for everything like a mad man, showing a knack for always getting his hands on the ball, he competed for every rebound, contested every shot, and dove for every loose ball. Defensively, he was effective everywhere, showing prowess on the perimeter as well as down low in the post. On the offensive end, Will Smith was virtually automatic from 12 feet in. A powerful downhill slasher that was willing to punish any defender that attempted to come between him and the basket. Smith consistently looked to score through contact by bouncing off of the closest defender to him, which gave him the space and opportunity to put a clean shot up each time. Anytime Smith got the ball inside the paint he was a threat to complete the play with either hand. <hr /> Payton Norris | Height: 6’5 | Missouri Flight 2024 Missouri Flight big man, Payton Norris moved very light and quick on his feet, he ran the court well, and defended opposing guards out on the perimeter effectively. Phenomenal mobility, incredibly agile with the footwork along with the IQ to get a bucket and maneuver around with the ball in the post. Norris overpowered, out jumped, and out hustled everyone on the boards. His height, size, physically imposing strength, and quickness combined made him a terror and a mismatch down low. Very gritty, Payton Norris is one of those guys you would love to have on your team but would hate to play against, he was in his opponent’s heads from the tip to the buzzer. <hr /> <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1233502" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/IMG_0176-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />Jeremiah Deering | Height: 6’3 | JEB Elite 2024 Jeremiah Deering proved to be a lengthy ballplayer that can change the game on the defensive end by altering jump shots and passes. Deering displayed the ability to defend every position from 1 through 5 effectively, he was absolutely dangerous in the passing lanes on the wings of the zone defense. He also played strongly by being willing to compete and challenge bigger players under the basket, Deering wasn’t phased by the physicality that came his way, and he never gave up on a play. There were also times where Jeremiah Deering snatching down rebounds and showed off his ability to take it coast to coast for two points. <hr /> T.J. Hill | Height: 6’2 | Missouri Flight 2024 T.J. Hill was the perfect glue guy for his team, he displayed all of the necessary intangibles while playing his role at the highest level. Hill wreaked havoc in the throwing lanes, any pass that flew through the air was intercepted and took the other way by him on several occasions. The Flight small forward loved to push the ball looking for quick and easy buckets in transition. Hill grabbed rebounds that started the fast break and he consistently did a terrific job of shielding the ball from the defense when driving by putting his body between him and the defender often leading him to the basket for a layup or to the foul line. Without the ball he was a phenomenal screen setter, giving out the screens that got his guys open both inside and outside the arc. T.J. Hill is an all-effort player that gives everything he has, brings a lot of production, and leaves it all on the floor. <hr /> <img class="size-medium wp-image-1233504 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/IMG_0202-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />[player_tooltip player_id="1211655" first="Jonah" last="Johnson"] | Height: 6’3 | Nike ProSkills San Antonio 2024 Black [player_tooltip player_id="1211655" first="Jonah" last="Johnson"] was an extremely physical rebounder that took pride in competing on the boards. Johnson also proved to be a solid jump shooter with a high release point, a quick trigger, and the capability of getting open in the corner to knock down open three-pointers in transition. This 3-and-D contributor also had a knack for blocking shots at the rim, playing with a pure chippiness and fearlessness that stood out in a major way. <hr />