The Stage: Scotty B’s Top Big Men

<p>The Stage concluded over the weekend with a tremendous three days of basketball at the largest NCAA Live Period event in the country.  Who were the point guards that we saw that made the biggest impression?  They are right here in <strong>The Stage: Scotty B’s Top Big Men</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Trey'Dez Green (LA Broncos 16U)</strong></p> <p>It was a monster weekend for this Louisiana big man.  He has high-major post written all over him!  Lefty with a strong and mobile build.  He was excellent as a rim runner, offensive rebounder, and making assertive moves in the paint.  Did it over and over again.  Good footwork and touch around the basket.  Snatched rebounds in traffic like they were his and his alone.  Went for 30+ in one game we saw and 20 in another.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Declan Ryan (NEBC 17U)</strong></p> <p>Wide bodied five man from Buffalo that has good hands and soft touch in the paint.  He was effective as a pick/roll finisher.  Absolutely pounded the offensive glass for second chance points over and over again in the came we saw.  Efficient low post scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jason Jakstys (Basketball Paradise 16U)</strong></p> <p>Yorkville High School post was trending the right direction over the last year and is primed to explode this summer.  We moved him into the top 15 in the Illinois 2024 rankings and it might not be high enough.  He has a long and rangy frame to add strength on long term.  Offensively hook shots, put backs, and dunks were the norm for him.  Defensively he is a game changer with the way he swats shots in the paint.  D1 prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Stefan Cicic (Mac Irvin Fire 15U)</strong></p> <p>Cicic recently reclassified to the 2025 class and is running with the Fire 15U.  The Niles Notre Dame center is a physically imposing five that was an absolute man child throwing his opponents around like toys.  Scored inside with ease on rim runs, dives, and put backs.  Solid post moves.  Very good defender anchoring in the paint and swatting shots.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Matthew Moore (Chicago Lockdown 17U)</strong></p> <p>Moore is a super bouncy four man from Hillcrest that has all the tools to be a low-major plus to possibly mid-major power forward.  Elite athleticism with his explosiveness around the hoop throwing down dunks and blocking shots.  One of the better rebounders on both ends at the event high pointing them in traffic consistently.  Stock is soaring!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kadyn Betts (PLUTO Prospects 17U)</strong></p> <p>Betts is one of the top posts on the PHC.  The face up power forward can create on his own from the perimeter for drives or pulling up with easy elevation and a clean shot.  Explosive around the hoop for quick twitched finishes.  Effective rim protector on the defensive end.  Scored an easy 30 in the game we saw looking like a high-major guy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Alex Sherwood (Wisconsin Crusaders 17U)</strong></p> <p>Sherwood is a skilled power forward that was effective running the floor well and playing with toughness around the hoop on scores and put backs.  Also did a solid job of handling it in space when opportunities presented themselves.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mark Nikolich-Wilson (Full Package 17U)</strong></p> <p>Nikolich-Wilson gave us Cameron Krutwig vibes on Friday night.  The undersized and wide bodied five is such a unique player.  He is an elite passer that plays so well on Full Package with his array of shooters around him.  The Rolling Meadows post is a crafty low-post scorer that rebounds and does the dirty work.  Going to be a great piece for a small college!</p>