Bob Gibbons: 2023 Frontcourt Standouts

<p><strong>Bob Gibbons: 2023 Frontcourt Standouts</strong></p> <p><strong>2023 6-8 PF [player_tooltip player_id="1131526" first="Dylan" last="Faulkner"] – Atlanta All-Stars – Calhoun <br /> </strong>Elite leaper that won state in High Jump (6’10”) and Pole Vault (15’). Long and strong, Faulkner has a quick and easy second jump that lets him clean up misses. Catches lobs and finishes above the rim. Finishes with reverses inside, using the rim to shield shot blockers. Has consistent three-point range. Stretchy post runs the floor well and can take defenders off the dribble. North Florida and Emory &amp; Henry have offered.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-5 W [player_tooltip player_id="873083" first="Mason" last="Etter"] – Atlanta All-Stars – Etowah<br /> </strong>Always does the little things well. Can be a spot up shooter to hit mid-range and three-point shots, but when larger defenders try to guard him, Etter is quick enough off the dribble to get downhill. He exploited a mismatch vs. EAB in the second half, hitting three floaters in a row over shot blockers. Etter’s one-dribble pull-up is textbook and his defensive positioning is always flawless, always ready to draw charges. Holds a Kennesaw State offer.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-3 W [player_tooltip player_id="1458249" first="Nicholas" last="Jones-Hill"] – AE5 – Lovejoy<br /> </strong>Jones-Hill made a positive first impression. He’s a wing/forward that does the dirty work. He defends, rebounds and will slash to the rim for hoops. Nicholas works for position on the glass and gets tip ins. He’s a solid athlete and a reliable glue guy that doesn’t need plays called for him.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-7 F [player_tooltip player_id="1199808" first="Soloman" last="Mustafa-Reid"] – Norcross Heat – Paideia <br /> </strong>In a hotly contested battle with the Atlanta Xpress, Soloman brought terrific energy and excitement. He caught a pair of alley oops that ignited the Heat. He also knocked down a mid-range jumper. At 6-foot-7, Mustafa-Reid is power forward that is starting to put things together.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-7 C [player_tooltip player_id="1458248" first="Temidayo" last="Akinrinmade"] – BCB Blue – North Forsyth<br /> </strong>Temi’s best basketball is still in the future. He looks like the prototypical late bloomer that could come on strong in college. Akinrinmade has a big body and long arms. He is able to score with both hands around the rim. He will need to speed up his moves in the low post, but he does have a back to the basket game which you can see he is developing and growing confidence in. Finishing stronger and not short arming shots will be an area of focus, but Temi could be very attractive for small schools looking to mold a post presence.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-7 PF [player_tooltip player_id="1426112" first="Julian" last="Walker"] – BCB Black – North Gwinnett<br /> </strong>Now that his playing time will be consistent, [player_tooltip player_id="1426112" first="Julian" last="Walker"] is going to leap up recruiting boards. Long and athletic, Walker has showed major flashes of what his ceiling could be. He meets opponents at the rim as one of the state’s best shot blockers. He can score around the rim with ball fakes and hook shots. Walker runs the floor well and catches lobs. I expect D-II programs to be primary suitors.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-4 W [player_tooltip player_id="820317" first="Kyle" last="Walters"] – Atlanta All-Stars – Lovett<br /> </strong>You know he’s on a great team if Walters is more of a glue guy than a primary option with the All-Stars. During the high school season Kyle averaged 16.8 points and 9 rebounds per game, proving he is more than capable of scoring the ball. With the Atlanta All-Stars, Walters fits in wherever he needs to. He knocks down open threes when presented and can hit the mid-range both off the catch and off the dribble. He’s a long 6-foot-4 and uses his wingspan to help rebound and defense. Walters made plays on both ends of the floor in a last second loss to EAB. He’s a nice option for Non-D-I programs.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-6 W [player_tooltip player_id="1223228" first="AJ" last="Dent"] – Georgia South – Thomasville<br /> </strong>I liked AJ last season at the GBCA. He has added more strength to his frame and is still as versatile as ever. The lefty does damage inside and out. He likes to attack downhill from the wing and draws fouls while doing so. He’s an active rebounder. Dent can guard both on the perimeter and in the post. His three-point shot must be respected.</p>