Class of 2022 Rankings: Forwards/Posts (Part II)

Prep Hoops Missouri continues its positional breakdowns from the newly released Class of 2022 rankings with a look at the second group of forwards and post players in the class.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/8D203DEF-BBFF-4273-95F7-A8A3B9BE9FFD.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1214045" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/8D203DEF-BBFF-4273-95F7-A8A3B9BE9FFD-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1050174" first="Andrew" last="Young"] 6’8" Marquette: The skilled combo forward has continued to improve and see his stock rise over the course of his career. He has a nice shooting touch around the basket and he can step outside and hit 3-pointers to stretch the defense. Young had a big summer playing for Arsenal Hoops 17U. He is primed for a big senior season after averaging 8.1 points and 5.7 rebounds to help the Mustangs to a district championship. He has received a number of Division II offers.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/A4660EAB-C3A4-4675-A09D-2346990D3A40.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1307805" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/A4660EAB-C3A4-4675-A09D-2346990D3A40-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1180615" first="Emmanuel" last="Byrd"] 6’8" Staley: A big summer stock riser who has emerged as one of the top frontcourt prospects in the KC area. He was a solid contributor as a junior with his rebounding and shot blocking, but he has continued to improved his ball handling and playmaking ability with the ball after an excellent summer with 816 Hoops. He has received multiple Division II offers during the off-season.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/2DACD5A9-C1AC-48FF-A738-6CEA4E0B0519.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1221260" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/2DACD5A9-C1AC-48FF-A738-6CEA4E0B0519-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="984518" first="Brennan" last="Lovette"] 6’6" DeSmet: An excellent all-purpose player who helps his team in all facets of the game. He is an excellent passer who can facilitate offense with his ball handling and playmaking skills. He can score inside or hit the 3-pointer and he's a solid rebounder and post defender. As a junior, he averaged eight points, six rebounds and three assists a game in helping the Spartans to a berth in the Class 5 state quarterfinals.         [player_tooltip player_id="984511" first="Ike" last="Ezeogu"] 6’6" Blue Springs: The talented forward is one of the top multi-sport athletes in the state. He is an Iowa State football commit, where he excels as a top defensive end. On the basketball court, he has been a force with his athleticism and high rate of activity. He is a ferocious rebounder who has quick moves in the low post. He can also beat opposing bigs on the drive. As a junior, he averaged 14 points and seven rebounds a game in helping lead the Wildcats to a district championship.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/36259679-4606-4561-94F8-7C91AB04FF9D.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1244384" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/36259679-4606-4561-94F8-7C91AB04FF9D-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="992318" first="Dallas" last="Whitney"] 6’7" North Kansas City: A very skilled small forward with the length and athleticism to impact a game at both ends of the court. He is an effective slasher with a nice mid-range jumper. He also shoots the ball well from 3-point range. As a junior at Blue Springs South, he averaged 10 points, three rebounds and two steals a game.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Kortez-Stephenson.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1033309" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/Kortez-Stephenson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> Kortez Stephenson 6’6" Center: An excellent tight end prospect on the football field, Kortez is a versatile post player with a big body and a variety of low post moves. The physical lefty has very good footwork in the post and the ability to step out and knock down 3-pointers. He also has a quick first step on the bounce. His game is a nice combination of power and finesse with a shooting touch to go along with it.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Nick-Wasilewski-V.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1211222" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Nick-Wasilewski-V-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="984947" first="Nick" last="Wasilewski"] 6’6" Jackson: The bouncy power forward is one of the top frontcourt prospects in the SEMO region. He is an explosive player with the ability to throw down slam dunks in traffic. He can also step out and hit 15 footers off the catch and set up open teammates with his passing. As a junior, he averaged 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/7ADBBB5D-58C7-4151-83B7-2EDF573EDED9.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1223976" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/7ADBBB5D-58C7-4151-83B7-2EDF573EDED9-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="984514" first="LeMond" last="Shaw"] 6’7" DuBourg: A versatile combo forward who had an impressive summer grassroots season with the SW Illinois Jets. He has very good guard skills as he can handle the ball, slash to the rim and knock down 3-pointers. He can also score inside with his size and he is an excellent offensive rebounder. As a junior, he averaged 11.3 points and 9.2 rebounds while shooting 58 percent from the field.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Austin-Vick-II.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1211226" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Austin-Vick-II-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="985432" first="Austin" last="Vick"] 6’8" Westminster Christian: An impressive and unheralded post player who played a key role in the Wildcats run to the Class 4 state championship game. He plays well within a system with his ability to pass the ball from the high post to open cutters. He can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooter and he can also score in the low post. As a junior, he averaged 8.9 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 59 percent from the field