Upstate NY : Under the Radar Bigs

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Size in Upstate NY is hard to come by, but these guys have done a great job showing dominance in many moments this year. They are changing the game with their defensive presence, rebounding tenacity, back to the basket game, with some even being able to stretch the floor and knock down the three-ball. Here are the most underrated bigs in the area.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="1045752" first="Matthew" last="Auble"] </span></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Section 5 Warsaw Junior 6’8</span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> - Auble plays at a small school but has shown that he can compete with whoever he lines up against. A solid and imposing big guy who blocks shots and runs the floor well extremely well, Auble can change the game in various ways. Recently putting up 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals, and four blocks, Auble could make some noise if he finds the correct program this spring. He already has a college body; Auble has even broken a couple of backboards with some strong dunks.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="1363747" first="Greyson" last="Trubia"]</span></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> Section 5 Hilton Junior 6’7 </span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">- Trubia is your prototypical stretch four; he can shoot it well to keep the defense honest while also putting his back to the basket and bang down low. Not having the best season so far but he has shown some moments where in the right system could immediately make a huge impact! At 6’7, Trubia has a wingspan that allows him to cover a lot of the court on the defensive side of the ball. </span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="1372613" first="Declan" last="Ryan"] </span></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Section 6 Senior 6’8 </span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">- Ryan has been a household name in the area for a while but has not picked up any offers. The big man can flat out ball and whoever picks him up will be very happy. He has very high energy with great hands around the rim. Constantly seeing double teams, he can pass possibly better than most guards I’ve seen. A strong frame allows him to dominate the game however he wants. A Player of the Year candidate out in Section 6 every school in the area should be on the lookout.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Benjamin Bill </span></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Section 6 Senior 6’8 </span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">- Benjamin Bill is the best passer I have seen all year regardless of position; the kid finds the open guy whenever he catches it in the post. Teams are usually afraid to double-team him with his size and passing ability, and his post hook is money every time he shoots it. I have been asked by multiple Division II and Division III schools about Bill, and he continues to expand his game. Major high academic D3 prospect could play Division II with a little more polish.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="1362408" first="Antoine" last="McFadden"] </span></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Section 5 Senior 6’6</span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> - McFadden, currently a Player of the Year candidate in Section V, can flat out play. He sees double- and sometimes triple-teams every night and still finds a way to have 20 points, 15 rebounds, and a ton of dunks each night. A high-energy player who never quits, other teams have to gameplan around him offensively and defensively. With a tremendous wingspan, McFadden is blocking or altering every shot into the lane. He is very coachable and hardworking, which will make him a very intriguing prospect this summer.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Jerrod Hills </span></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Section 3 Junior 6’6</span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> - Hills is a football player who brings that physicality and strength to the basketball court. A terrific rebounder and physical presence in the paint; anyone who matches up with him knows they are in for a fight. As strong as an Ox he has already found and utilizes the weight room, Hills also has an excellent back-to-the-basket game with the ability to bring it out 15 feet and knock down a shot as well. If he decides basketball is where his heart is, this kid could be a nice D3 or D2 star.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Chad Cook </span></strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Section 3 Freshman 6’7 </span></em><span data-preserver-spaces="true">- Cook has the potential to be a significant prospect coming out of the Syracuse area, a true freshman who looks to be still growing. Very raw but has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He is an excellent rebounder who defends well without fouling. The sky could be the limit once he learns how to use his size and finds the weight room.</span></p>