Bash in the Desert: The Top Bigs

Who were the best bigs at the Bash in the Desert last weekend?  I run down the top bigs that I saw over the three days. 

Emiliano Barrantes Emiliano Barrantes 6'9" | PF Grand View Christian | 2025 State IA of Minnesota Spartans 16s (6’11 from Grand View Christian, IA, 2025).  This freshman has the type of upside that might be talked about in terms of high national ranking, maybe high major type level.   Emiliano is the right size, has the right length, and gets up and down the floor in the right way to be a high level player.  His frame is perfect to add strength but still move the way he does.  I like the big mans touch, saw a couple post moves I liked, I really liked the way Barrantes played defense around the basket and his rebounding efforts were solid.  What was even more, Emiliano wasn’t worried about how he scored, just that he scored.  Dunks, lay-ups, putbacks, they were fine with him.  Skills seem to be solid, but he never forced them. 

Kyle Blauch Kyle Blauch 6'7" | PF Boulder | 2024 State CO of Colorado Titans 17s (6’6 from Boulder, 2024).  This 13 rebound a game, 230 pound low post player has grown a ton in the last two years and he’s our latest name to use the "Dancing Bear" nickname.  I loved the touch of this big man around the basket.  He used one or two steps perfectly mixed with a shoulder to clear space to touch in shots.  Colorado Titans runs some of the best stuff you will see in AAU basketball and Blauch is the perfect fit with how he moves off the ball and off screens.  I never saw him miss a shot in the game I watched.  The Dancing Bear. 

Bradey Henige Bradey Henige 7'0" | C Cactus | 2024 State #192 Nation AZ of D1 Nation AZ 16s (6’11 from Cactus, 2024). Heading into the weekend, the question wasn’t "why did Tim Miles offer this 2024 talent", it was "why haven’t more teams joined Tim Miles in offering?".   Henige rebounds in bulk.  High school level, Prep Hoops Circuit play, UAA play whatever, this is a consistent rebounding big and that’s vital.  This is a double figure plus boarding constant that also has skills.  Comfortable in that stretch big role and well taught around the cup.  His footwork has been well trained and the comfort is there from consistent repetition. Excellent passing big in the three games I have seen this spring and defensively he makes the opponent got over the top of his length. 

Chiang Ring Chiang Ring 6'8" | C Park Center | 2024 State #276 Nation MN of Minnesota Spartans 16s (6’8 from Minneapolis South, 2024).   With Ring everything is about his quick get off.  The second bounce, the one step leap, the quick bounce off the run, all of it with Chiang is rare.  Ring blocks shots consistently especially off of help situations as Chiang can quickly cover ground.  Rebounding wise Ring not only gets off the floor quicker, that vertical and length allows him to pull boards down from above the rim and off the rim.  And finishing, with all of the attacking guards he plays with, Chiang is the perfect big man finisher on the move to catch and dunk.  He does that at least three times a game. 

Isaiah Waters of No Fear Elite (6’5 from Vanguard College Prep, 2024).  Waters is one of the best low post defenders you will see.  He gets off the ball screen in perfect spots moving those feet to the right spot and he uses leverage perfectly to fight others off the block.  Great help defender, strong rebounder, and busts tail to get up and down.  Sets a great screen for his guards and moves to the cup in the halfcourt offense leading to a quality rolling option.  Type of big a high school coach would love to have.