2022 Forwards to Watch This Season

<p>This is my list of 2022 forwards from across the state who I believe have a real chance to make a real difference for their teams. Expect them to begin to rise in ranks and start getting some attention from the next level! Be on the lookout for my other articles on the 2022, 2023 and 2024 athletes!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1295898" first="Michael" last="Roberts"] 2022 Forward 6’5 Leadership Prep of Frisco</p> <p>Michael is an explosive athlete who displayed a real ability to jump off one leg and jump multiple times. He had an impressive windmill dunk on the fast break as well that turned some heads. He knows how to use his talent; he is great at hanging in the air and going after tip ins and tip outs to open teammates. He showed a real ability to guard positions one through four with ease and slide over to protect the rim. He loves going after chase down blocks as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Austin Yeager 2022 Forward Shooting Stars Blue 17U</p> <p>Austin is a huge force down low who finishes very well around the rim. His frame and strength allow him to finish through any type of defense. He showed great ability to finish with either hand with an array of shots at the rim. For his game to become more dominant he needs more post moves and drop steps to allow him to get easier opportunities at the rim. He also needs to improve his foot speed and quickness and look to run the floor for easy rim running looks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Raphfel Moss Jr 2022 Forward 6’4 O’Connel High School (Galveston, TX)</p> <p>Raphfel is a freak athlete who has clearly been working in the gym, it has been a full year since I had seen him play and Moss did not disappoint this time around. His strong legs and incredible leaping ability make him a force on the glass down low. He is aggressive in the paint and wants to dunk every opportunity he can. He has become a much more fluid athlete with and without the basketball. I was impressed with how he was able to twist away from defenders. I was most impressed with his consistency in the midrange. He even displayed his handle and was able to get to the rim after a shot fake in the midrange.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958605" first="TJ" last="Johnson"]- 2022 Forward ATX Lockdown 202</p> <p>TJ is a great stretch four with the ability to shoot, handle the ball, and finish at the rim. He is truly skilled at utilizing his size and frame to his benefit when he goes up for layups and to battle on the boards. He loves contact and the ability to use his strength against other players to wear them down. He plays very hard on the floor and never gives up on rebounds on the glass, even on the last day of the tournament. He has a soft touch from the corner and wing and loves shooting his jumper when given a fraction of space. He loves showing off his deep NBA range ability, which opens up his game so much and allows him to become a four-level scorer forcing the defense to come out and contest him from a ridiculous range.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Marcel Bryan Forward 2022 Proskills Austin 17U</p> <p>Marcel is a very impressive player, who has a heads-up nature to his game and has the ability to take over an entire offense scoring and distribution. He has great size and strength and showed the patience and ability to back down defenders and get to comfortable looks at the rim. He is an incredible defender and has the ability to switch onto any position one through four. He showed great coverage on the pick and roll and made those situations into an advantage for his team most of the time by actively swallowing the ball handler when asked to switch onto them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1295890" first="Bryce" last="Wimbish"] 2022 Wing 6’4 Trinity Christian School</p> <p>Bryce is an impressive wing who can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He creates very well for his teammates with a live dribble. I was very impressed with his ball handling skills paired with his length. I would like to see him stay more aggressive and be more willing to finish in traffic and not shy away from contact.</p>