Early Season Standout Post Play

In two early-season classics, I have laid eyes on a couple of post players who have a chance to have impactful seasons. With a lot of guards dominating the action, these post players have made their presence felt in numerous ways. At the #ParkCrossingTipOff Classic <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Marquavias-Knox.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329603 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Marquavias-Knox-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Marquavias ’Tay’ Knox (6’7/Center/2022)   School: Charles Henderson HS Instagram: Itsss.tay6k Twitter: @ITay6k Marquavias was a pleasant surprise when I got to see him play at the #ParkCrossingTipOff classic. At 6’7, he has good size on the high school platform, which is going to allow him to dominate night in and night out. Not too many teams across the state will have someone that can match up with Knox. Let’s get out of the way that he controls the boards, protects the rim, and is a shot-blocking machine. <blockquote> His ability to lock down the paint allows Charles Henderson to press hard on the perimeter. </blockquote> His impact on the game is seen in every offensive possession by the opponent. They are puzzled about how to attack and ultimately are forced to maneuver around him or avoid him altogether. Knox is very athletic and mobile as a big and surprisingly can defend in space. Offensively, he had several low post touches that turned into monster throwdowns off the drop step. He also has a face-up game in the toolbox, and he is aggressive with his attack out of the face-up. To have such a significant impact on the game and his name not mentioned around grassroots basketball across the state is surprising. If he continues to have the type of season he has started out having, many people across the state will know his name soon. At the #RamsayTipOffClassic <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Jalynn-Lacey.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329605 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Jalynn-Lacey-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Jalynn Lacey (6’6/Forward/2022)   School: Hueytown HS Instagram: N/A Twitter: @N/A Jalynn is in a situation where his role is a vital one for his team. Fighting on the boards, contesting shots in the paint, and contributing in the scoring column when the opportunity allows is what Hueytown needs of Jalynn. If he can make huge impacts in those areas, it will only make Hueytown a more formidable foe.   <blockquote> Offensively Jalynn did show he has a nice touch around the rim, and he was highly active in the paint, keeping possessions alive. </blockquote> Jalynn will have a lot of rim attempts either off offensive boards or dump-offs from the guards; he will need to convert those opportunities. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Colin-Turner-1.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1310969 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Colin-Turner-1-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="965768" first="Colin" last="Turner"] (6’9/Post/2022)   School: Spain Park HS Instagram: N/A Twitter: @N/A I was looking forward to seeing Colin as they took on Grissom, but early foul trouble sent Colin to the bench early. His game has emerged over the years, and he has turned into one of the top post players in AL. He is a physical specimen that is physical in the paint and plays that way on both ends. His footwork on the low block and in the paint was solid as he made several moves after getting back into the game from early foul trouble. The truth about this game is Colin was never able to get into a rhythm. <blockquote> Yet, he still impacted the game by controlling the boards and contesting shots late in the contest. </blockquote> Those around grassroots basketball know what Colin brings to the table as one of the dominant post players in the state. As long as he can stay on the court and out of foul trouble, he will be a load to handle. Colin has also become a good passer out of the post with the sniper [player_tooltip player_id="836588" first="Zach" last="Gray"] waiting around the arc. I look forward to seeing him again this year. Those are the post players that I have seen through weeks one and two of the season. Here are some post players that I have heard about in basketball conversations or have had the opportunity to talk about with their coach, and look forward to getting out and seeing them in the near future. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Boubacar-Diakite.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329609 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Boubacar-Diakite-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Boubacar Diakite (6’5/Post/2022)   School: Pinson Valley HS Instagram: bj_diakite3 Twitter: @bj_diakite3 I have spoken to Pinson Valley’s head coach, Darrell Barber, on numerous occasions, and he speaks exceptionally high of his 6’5 post player Boubacar. Boubacar is a two-sport athlete and will be playing football at the next level as he recently decommitted from Vandy, and now it looks as if GA Tech is making a strong push after their recent offer. <blockquote> Still, before he suits up at the next level, he will step onto the hardwood and be the big man in the middle for an exciting and young Pinson Valley team that is already making noise early. </blockquote> I am looking forward to seeing Boubacar once he makes the transition off the gridiron. I will have another update on Boubacar when I lay eyes on him. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Dresean-Knight.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1316095 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Dresean-Knight-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="890743" first="Dresean" last="Knight"] (6’11/Center/2022)   School: Minor HS Instagram: Dresean_knight Twitter: @knightdresean The Minor Tigers has yet to take the floor this year but will tip-off against Carver-Birmingham tonight (Wed. Nov. 17). Many people in the basketball community are itching to see 6’11 DK take the floor.   <blockquote> I spoke with Minor head coach Torrance Beard, and he says that Dresean is looking good in practice and is poised to have a dominant year and hopefully lead the Tigers to the BJCC. </blockquote> I will have another update on Dresean when I lay eyes on him. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Brandon-Thomas.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1318418 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Brandon-Thomas-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Brandon Thomas (6’5/Power Forward/2024)   School: Valley HS Instagram: N/A Twitter: N/A If you look at all the post players I have mentioned above, you will see they all are in the class of ’22, but Brandon is just a sophomore and is a post player I am looking forward to laying eyes on soon. Valley has yet to tip-off this year but will see their first action against Booker T. Washington in Tuskegee on Thursday. I spoke with head coach Marshon Harper today, and he said Brandon is looking good in practice. <blockquote> I could literally hear the excitement in the coach’s voice as he talked about Brandon. </blockquote> He says Brandon is shooting the ball well, playing physical, rebounding well, and being a vocal leader. I will have another update on Brandon when I lay eyes on him.