2022 Rankings Update: Rising Forwards
Last week, we covered the guards who received the largest boost in our rankings, and today we’ll talk about the forwards. This group displayed versatility, consistency, and energy in the senior seasons and earned a major bump in our 2022…
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Continue ReadingLast week, we covered the guards who received the largest boost in our rankings, and today we’ll talk about the forwards. This group displayed versatility, consistency, and energy in the senior seasons and earned a major bump in our 2022 rankings.
Nick Dolezal Nick Dolezal 6'4" | SF Millard North | 2022 State NE Current: 13 Previous: 36
It’s hard to come up with a player archetype who would have fit better next to Jasen Green Jasen Green 6'7" | PF Millard North | 2022 State #153 Nation NE and the Millard North guards this season. Dolezal is a good athlete and a great cutter. If the defense was put in rotation, Dolezal showed great instincts in cutting into space or setting impromptu screens to widen that advantage. He led the Mustangs in 2FG% at 65%. That efficiency came from his timely cuts, but also his transition prowess. He can grab the rebound and go himself, and sprint the floor and beat the defense down the court. He is not a great defender, but he is smart enough to send good help when needed and put himself in the right positions to provide positive value on that end.
Tyler Harre Tyler Harre 6'5" | SF Scottsbluff | 2022 State NE Current: 16 Previous: 97
His big jump from our last update is mostly due to myself making it a priority to watch him this year. He was severely underrated at 97, and I felt his elite movement shooting at his size was enough to put him comfortably in the top 20. Being a successful scorer when running off screens is more dependent on the shooter setting up their defender than the screen itself, and Harre is excellent at doing just that. Whether he is running off a pindown or a flare screen, he is always aware of where his defender is and how he needs to attack off the catch. Most times, his length and quick release allow him to rise immediately. Without an advantage, he is great at giving a slight head fake to get his defender in the air and finds the open space for a 1-2 dribble pull-up.
Grant Mielak Grant Mielak 6'5" | SF Lincoln Southwest | 2022 State NE Current: 32 Previous: 45
Mielak was the most consistent shooter on a Lincoln Southwest team that struggled from distance at times this year. There weren’t any large leaps in ability or newfound skills from the previous rankings update. He has been a really good shooter and rebounder for a while now, but I saw small improvements in both areas that added up to a significantly better player. His shot selection was better this season, he was more physical and controlled with the basketball when teams ran him off the line, and he was much more confident against aggressive defenses. He struggles with point-of-attack defense, but he was a much better help defender for the Silver Hawks than he was last season and during the summer.
Caden Peterson Caden Peterson 6'5" | SF Elkhorn South | 2022 State NE Current: 33 Previous: 47
I’ve been a big fan of Peterson’s game since I saw him this past summer. He is not a shooter, his movements can be awkward at times, but he is a great athlete who plays with tons of confidence. He was very effective at jumping passing lanes and taking it coast to coast. In the halfcourt, he was excellent at running into the catch against a closeout and getting downhill. The biggest weakness in his game is not being able to capitalize on his ability to get to the line. He had a staggering .49 free throw rate. For comparison’s sake, one of the state’s best at getting to the line, Connor Millikan Connor Millikan 6'1" | CG Platteview | 2023 State NE , had a free throw rate of .39. Peterson often came off the bench for Elkhorn South but his energy, athleticism, and aggression gave them a ton of juice throughout the year.
Myles Simon Myles Simon 6'2" | SF Wahoo | 2022 State NE Current: 53 Previous: 163
The Wahoo forward was an effective play finisher in his senior season. His build is on the lighter side for the forward position, but he was much more effective at using his strength and leverage to create space and finish through contact. Simon runs the floor well, has good hands, and is a stout defender. His touch at the rim was excellent in a season where he shot 60% from 2-point range.
Lucas Brown Lucas Brown 6'5" | PF Roncalli | 2022 State NE Current: 79 Previous: 132
In a game against Skutt during the regular season, Brown had one of the best defensive games I saw from a player all year long. He is an excellent shot-blocker for his size and his defensive rotations and help are always on point. He is constantly scanning the whole floor, identifying moments that his help can cover up a defensive lapse. Offensively, his cutting is his greatest skill. He does a great job of second-cutting while the defense is distracted by the first cutter or driver, earning his team high-percentage looks at the rim.
Jordan Williams Jordan Williams 6'0" | SF Omaha North | 2022 State NE Current: 80 Previous: 106
The Omaha North forward is an excellent athlete that he uses to alter shots and cut off driving lanes. He has too many mental lapses to be a great defender, but all the tools are there. On the offensive end, he improved as a slasher and cutter this season for the Vikings and was a force in transition.