Under-The-Radar 2023 Small Ball Forwards (2/2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out my analysis on some prospects who need to be on your radar with how they produced during the live period. These guys really were turning heads every time they were in the gym! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1471671' first='Ismael' last='Smith-Flores']&nbsp;</strong>2023 6'7 James Martin High School (Dallas Mustangs 17U)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ismael is an athletic wing who moves very well up and down the court and can handle the ball and create opportunities for his teammates in the full court and the half court. He was easily one of the best players in attendance with his ability to score across all three levels off the bounce. His confidence is growing at a tremendous rate, and is now hunting for his shot in the midrange and beyond the arc. He is eager to get into the paint every chance he can, and knows how to quickly attack smaller defenders before they get a chance to bring a double team.&nbsp;He has an extremely large catch radius which allows his teammates to throw him any sort of entry pass into the post. With his back to the basket he is good at using his size and strength to back his opponent down. He is good at using his size to his advantage, but is also smooth enough to hit turn arounds and use his length to create separation. I was blown away by his ability to hang in the air and release the ball as he is fading away from defensive pressure. Ismael stock probably took the highest leap out of all of the prospects in attendance with how easy he did everything on the offensive end. I am eager to watch his senior year campaign!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Cason Cole </strong>2023 6'6 Katy High School (Principle First Select)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cason is an impressive forward/ wing prospect with his ability to dominate on the interior, but also stretch out the defense with his shot making ability and how he handles the ball. I loved his non stop energy and motor that he displayed, chasing down long rebounds and loose balls to grab extra possessions for his team.&nbsp; Cole's energy on the glass was very impressive, jumping multiple times to fight on the interior. On the defensive side of things, he showed off his ability to move his feet and defend on the perimeter. Cole is a monster when he is attacking a closeout hard, coming away with tips and really making his opponent speed up their shot. I would like to see him work on his ability to go coast to coast with a live dribble and attacking more out of the triple threat and facing up his opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Luke Mills </strong>2023 6'5 Reagan High School (SA ProSkills 17U Black)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luke is a hard working wing prospect with the ability to affect the game on the interior, with his nonstop motor and willingness to fight on the glass. He has really improved a lot since the last school season, and again since I saw him in early May. He is much more confident with his handle and ability to attack downhill. He is already a confident scorer with his back to the basket, and is just beginning to tap into his effectiveness as a slashing prospect. Where he really makes his mark is his switch ability and willingness to defend all five positions. He is strong down low, allowing him to compete and bump with other strong forwards, but is athletic enough to move his feet and take away guards driving lanes. I would like to see him become more consistent with his shot off the catch, and continued development in the midrange and at the free throw line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>La'Chauncey Thomas&nbsp;</strong>2023 6'4 A&amp;M Consolidated High School</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>La'Chauncey is an explosive player who can affect the game from all three levels of the floor. His size makes him a monster in the open court and will surely be making some highlight reel plays on the fast break during his senior year next year. He is a smart rebounder who can play the small ball center role, but would really thrive alongside another big to help him on the glass. He works incredibly hard and goes after long rebounds and loose balls on both ends of the court. His motor is&nbsp; one of the most intriguing things about his game. He showed an ability to quickly catch and shoot from both the wings and corners and forced the center on the opposing team to come out and contest him. I was very impressed with his decisions on the break, he showed unselfishness to create easy looks for his teammates but also the ability to dunk over anyone sliding over late.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Aydan Perdue </strong>2023 6'5 Katy High School (Big Basketball Academy)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aydan is a complete player with his ability to score on the offensive end, but also switch and defend any position you need.&nbsp; He showed an ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket but also stretch the floor off the catch and score off the bounce. I was very impressed with how well he did all of the little things like switching onto guards on the perimeter but also dominating down low with his length. He blocked shots as a help side defender and when getting attacked one on one. He rebounded the ball at a high level and went after long rebounds and loose balls to get an extra possession for his team. He showed an ability to play out of the high post and make good decisions with the ball in his hands. He made the right extra swing pass to set up his teammates and never seemed to over dribbled the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->