2023 Under The Radar Forward Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The value of a quality big man in HS Hoops is not quantifiable. Backcourt leadership goes without saying, but when a team find itself a tough player standing 6'5", 6'6" or taller, that is an added luxury these days. Today we look at several forwards who could have big senor years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401566' first='Precise' last='Clark']</strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/precise-clark/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;| 6'8′ | F| Paramus Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark is a rugged player with a strong build. He's a battling post player who can utilize skillful footwork in the post with soft hands around the rim to be effective. A tenacious rebounder on both ends, he also runs the floor exceptionally well for a big man. He's a scholarship level forward who had a fantastic showing vs Teaneck(25&amp;15) and also had 18&amp;10 vs East Orange among solid performances all throughout the year. He also blocked nearly 80 shots. Set for a BIG senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1269813' first='Quinn' last='Peters'] </strong>| 6'6” | F | Manasquan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peters will be a senior leader on what is a young, but tremendously talented Warriors squad in terms of who the stars are. He's a big man who can play in the paint and bruise if needed but showed this summer on the AAU circuit that he's very capable floating around the perimeter and letting it rip from deep with accuracy. He's got a nice high release point on his jumper which makes him tough to defend--He can beat you down low or take you outside. He'll be an important player for guard heavy Manasquan this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466412' first='Ermal' last='Kuci']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ermal-kuci/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'5” | F | Lodi</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kuci is one of the top forwards at a Bergen County public school and among the top 5 seniors in the NJIC this year. He's a strong big man who can run the floor more like a guard. He's a smart player with a good mind for the game of basketball. He's mature and patient defensively and continues to improve on offense. As his ballhandling improves he could push on for All County status. He had a number of double-doubles as a junior and D3 colleges should be interested. He averaged 12&amp;11 last winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Smith</strong>&nbsp;| 6'5” | F | Hanover Park 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a multi sport athlete who also stars on the football field for the Hornets. On the hardwood he's a physical post player who utilizes his 6'5”-210 frame to be a pest under the basket at both ends of the floor.  He started his junior season off with a double double vs Dover(23&amp;19) and kept on churning from there, registering 15 double doubles last winter.  His top games were 25&amp;11 vs Morris Catholic, 19&amp;12 vs Oratory and 22&amp;13 vs Madison. While he will be sought after in both sports, football may be the future for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402099' first='Davis' last='Adams']<a href="https://prephoops.com/player/davis-adams/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>| 6'4” | F | Immaculata</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic forward who will be a leader on a team that will look to carve its way into the top tier of teams in Central Jersey, Adams can post defenders up but can also turn and beat players facing the basket. He's a solid rebounder and a physical defender who can get up to block shots. He had 25 vs Morris Catholic. Played his best in the states. Had 21&amp;12 vs CBA and 15&amp;10 vs Rutgers Prep. D3s should be after him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->