Prep Hoops Live: Fabulous Forwards

<p>Prep Hoops Live seemed to be a huge success as we had super talented players in attendance and there was an abundance of college coaches checking out the action. Read below for standout forwards...</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/LIVE-crop-1170x769-1650559360.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-1436083" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/LIVE-crop-1170x769-1650559360-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="177" height="116" /></a></p> <h4><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fabulous Forwards</strong></span></h4> <p><strong>Wyatt Hawks |6’8 F| Northstar Titans 2023 Stone</strong></p> <p>Like his teammate on this list, Hawks had a productive and impressive weekend. He led his team to a 4-0 record and he averaged 16 ppg, 12 rpg. Wyatt ended the weekend with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He did nice work in the paint while averaging a double-double. Hawks had many powerful finishes at the rim this weekend. Wyatt is big, strong, hardworking, and always improving. His stock is definitely going up after Prep Hoops Live. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1220406" first="Trey" last="Smith"] |6’7 PF| Northstar Titans 2023 Stone</strong></p> <p>He had a very nice weekend and Smith impressed many people. He helped lead his team to a perfect 4-0. Trey averaged 14 ppg, 7 rpg, and he shot 45% from 3-point land. Smith showed off his athleticism with 2 fancy alley-oops. One of them was off the backboard as a lob. This player can get up! Smith's stock is certainly on the rise and college coaches should be on the lookout. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="956870" first="Dallas" last="Bear"] |6-8 F| Iowa Barnstormers 2023 Gold</strong></p> <p>He is a DUDE and if you have watched him play, you will agree with me. Bear is ultra-talented with the size, hoops IQ, and the mobility to take over a game. At Prep Hoops Live he had a ton of college coaches watching him, much like The Stage. His jump shot is off the charts and he is light out from deep. I was impressed with his ability to finish with both hands. He showed great turnaround baby hooks with L-n-R and a masterful lefty runner. The sky is the limit for Dallas.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962223" first="Khalif" last="Bettis"] |6-5 SF| MN Chill 2023 Elite</strong></p> <p>He is a scorer from all levels that gets up and dunks with ease. Bettis is great in the open court and he can cash in triples. I really liked the looks of his stepback move from the block and his soft touch. He also showed a sweet fade away. Khalif is a stud athlete and he is crafty around the hoop. I like his rebounding capabilities and his high NRG. Bettis played a big role in helping his team to a 4-0 record. His athleticism and length make Bettis a tough matchup for opposing teams. College coaches beware!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1295267" first="Gavin" last="Muirhead"] |6’7 PF| Pentagon Schooler 2023 Walker</strong></p> <p>He and the Schoolers went 4-0 this weekend and they had an impressive showing. Gavin dominated in the interior on both ends of the floor. Muirhead gave the Schoolers consistent energy with splashy and furious plays at each end. He slammed home countless dunks and alley-oops. Gavin had a momentum-changing dunk on Saturday night that helped his team close out a big win. I was impressed with his outside shooting ability and his rim-protecting. His stock just went way up!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050245" first="Ryan" last="Erikson"] |6-10 C| ND Phenom 2023</strong></p> <p>After The Stage, Erikson was offered by UND and a few days later Ryan committed to UND, congrats!. His play was impressive again at Prep Hoops Live. On defense, he blocked and contested shots. I liked his execution on a BLOB score and his strong 2-handed finishes at the cup. He also showed a left-handed AND1 finish. Ryan had an aggressive cut across the lane for a basket. I really liked his strong post-ups. When Erikson was being fronted, he moved the defender up the lane, and he scored an easy bucket. Ryan is a multifaceted post player with skills and a good head on his shoulders.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1048392" first="Cole" last="Peppenhorst"] |6-4 SF| Midwest All-Stars 2023</strong></p> <p>He had an impressive weekend and he helped his team to a record of 3-1. In the win against a good NY team, Peppenhorst had 18 points, 6 rebounds and the game-winning dunk to seal the game. In the last game of the weekend against a PA team, Peppenhorst had 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a monster dunk. Cole is long, athletic, moves well, and he is bouncy. He runs the floor hard and he crashes the O-boards with ferocity. Peppenhorst is a dynamic finisher and his jumper has a high release. Cole has a ton of potential. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962204" first="Lincoln" last="Palbicki"] |6-10 PF| Minnesota Select 2023 Mantey</strong></p> <p>I was very impressed with this BIG on Saturday. Lincoln is strong, tough, powerful, and gritty. He stood out as a physical rebounder. He dominated on the O-glass, Palbicki grabbed several in the game I watched. He has a nose for the ball. I loved how Lincoln sealed low and kept the defender pinned behind him. He showed a super-sweet turnaround baby-hook. Take a look at this big man!</p> <p><strong>Demetrius Weems |6-3 SF| MN Chill 2024 Elite</strong></p> <p>He stood out to me as a stud athlete. Weems was impressive with full-court and transition finishes. Demetrius has long arms and he is a playmaker. Weems is bouncy, he elevates well, and he is an opportunistic scorer. He also scored plenty of points off offensive rebound putbacks. Weems is an athletic stretch-4 that can get to the rim and hit triples. He is also a versatile defender. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1169146" first="Presley" last="Peraza"] |6-4 F| ND Phenom 2025</strong></p> <p>This Kindred Viking is a special player that moves like a college-level athlete and he can jump out of the gym. Peraza is an above-the-rim finisher and a spectacular dunker. On Sunday he showed a good-looking three-point shot. Presley also looks to be a solid FT-shooter. He has the potential to be a lock-down defender and a dominant rebounder. 10.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg this weekend. Peraza shot a crazy 70 FG% and 78.6 FT%, impressive numbers!</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1169144" first="Karson" last="Ouse"] |6-5 F| ND Phenom 2025</strong></p> <p>He came into the AAU season as an improved player after a successful high school season. Karson’s size and athleticism make him a very tough matchup for most players. This weekend in KC, Ouse averaged 12 ppg and 7 rpg. He has the makings of a next-level stretch 4. He has a sweet blend of shooting, slashing, and post skills. His top game at Prep Hoops Live came with 25 points and 15 impressive rebounds. Ouse was super efficient in that big game. The sky is the limit for Karson and I expect his production to stay high all AAU season. </p>