Standout 2024 Forwards at PrepHoops Easter Classic

<p>Check out my scouting reports and analysis on some of the best 2024 forwards who really shined during their time on the court during the second day at the PrepHoops Easter Classic. I cant wait to see what the do during the remainder of the tournament, as well as the growth they will begin to show over the next few months! </p> <p><strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/daniel-jacobsen/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="1230778" first="Daniel" last="Jacobsen"]</span><span class="info-box"><span class="player-img"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/44876411-4806-4E89-B09A-2F8F8D0BFA8D-150x150.jpeg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/user-uploads/44876411-4806-4E89-B09A-2F8F8D0BFA8D-150x150.jpeg" /></span></span></a> </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 6’11 La Cueva High School, NM (New Mexico D1 2024)</span></p> <p>Daniel has a perfect blend of athleticism and height, and uses it to his full advantage to be a dominant weapon within the half court. I was blown away by his foot speed and his ability to come out and defend players on the perimeter, while also calmly protecting the rim and anchoring his team’s defense. He is a consistent finisher in the paint, and cleans up the offensive glass well for easy tip ins. He has quick post moves and uses it to quickly get around his opponents on the block. He has a soft touch on his runner and in the paint, which allows him to be a valuable weapon in the paint. I would like to see him work on staying vertical, at times he would come down too hard to block a shot instead of staying tall, and got himself into some foul trouble. Once he becomes a more patient defender and weapon on the offensive end of the floor, Jacobsen should continue to develop into a real Division-One prospect. </p> <p><strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-mathews-2/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="1105593" first="Jordan" last="Mathews"]</span></a></strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/jordan-mathews-2/"><span class="name-pointer"> </span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 6’5 Peabody Magnet High School, LA (Cenla Storm 2024)</span></p> <p>Jordan is an a strong defender who can use his foot speed which he uses well to wreak havoc on both ends of the court. He is great at staying vertical and timing up his blocks to protect the rim for his team. He has all the tools to be an explosive forward at the next level with his nice blend of athleticism off the dribble and his ability to consistently dominate in the paint. He has a reliable jumper from the perimeter, which he uses to his full advantage to knock down shots off the catch and off the bounce. His consistency from the outside allows the paint to be even more wide open from the pressure that he can put on the defense from the outside. I was very impressed by his ability to truly do it all on both ends of the court. Matthews has all the tools to become a valuable weapon at the next level. </p> <p><strong>Brandon Beard</strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 6’4 Allen High School, TX (Victory Academy 2024 Blue)</span></p> <p>Brandon is the ideal power forward through his ability to dominate on the glass with his size and strength to clear the boards and also his ability to defend on the perimeter. I was impressed by his foot speed and ability to defend guards and wings on the perimeter. Guards thought they had an advantage by bringing him out of the paint, and Beard took full advantage of that and used his quick feet and tenacity to harass ball handlers. He looks like he is going to continue to grow in strength and height, especially as he continues to work in the weight room. I would like to see him work on his ability to handle the ball on the perimeter, and his ability to get into the teeth of the defense with a live dribble. </p> <p><strong>Maddox Bloomgren </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 6’5 Dripping Springs High School, TX (ATX Force 2023)</span></p> <p>Maddox is a high level forward who showed off his ball skills while dominating on the interior. He is great at dominating with his back to the basket, and is an active player on the glass. I was impressed with his ability to do it all on the interior while defending well on the perimeter for his size. I was very impressed by his body control when finishing at the rim, he routinely changed his shot angle and the direction in which he finishes in the paint. He was great at eluding contact in the air and dominating with his ability to create space with his back to the basket. </p> <div class="article-content"> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div>