Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase: The Big Men Who Reigned Supreme

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we talked about how amazing our guard play was over the weekend. Now, it's time to talk about our big men of 2026. I am a huge fan of position-less basketball, and believe it is best for our most treasured sport- at every level. Posts who have a consistent shot beyond the arc create "interesting" matchups. It's fun to watch coaches switch up defensive strategies in order to accommodate that "hybrid-breed" of big man. These talented beasts bring about a whole other world of hurt for most teams. The guys below are a mix of traditional bigs, and the coveted hybrid array. Enjoy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_635a391e6e13a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1633067"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1641328,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Marcis has a chance to be one of the most polarizing big men in the game.  Some say u0022Shaq-builtu0022 guys are going out of style... but this one has me perplexed.  Yes, his stocky frame is every bit of 7'0 as a high school freshman.  I'm not going to lie, that took a minute to process.rnrnHis hands and footwork are impressive for his size.  He shows great dexterity when catching and releasing the ball around the rim.  He has even better footwork on his gather.  Marcis demands the ball with authority; usually slamming it home or just placing it ever so slightly over the front of the rim.  Dunks come with ease of course.  Did I mention he can run the floor like a blue wildebeest? He towers over most guys, so at this point intimidation is definitely a factor for his opponent.  Mr. Ponder has a great foundation to build upon, so I look forward to watching him develop a killer seal, consistent jumper, and an increase in speed and quickness.  He will be a force to reckon with in high school, then it's on to the next level! u003ca href=u0022https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/Marcis-Ponder3-scaled-crop-1630x1071-1666856177.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022alignnone size-medium wp-image-1641309u0022 src=u0022https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/10/Marcis-Ponder3-scaled-crop-1630x1071-1666856177-300x197.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022300u0022 height=u0022197u0022 /u003eu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":1641335,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Jayquan Freeman","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'8u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Miami COHEA","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Team Breakdown ","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Jayquan is a scrappy PF that hauls it up and down the floor cheetah-style (yes, I have been watching National Geographic).  He makes it easy for coaches to fast break and press with his speed and agility.  He finishes well around the rim, and is a problem on defense.  He doesn't like guys getting past him, so he is definitely considered a protector of the paint.  I am looking forward to seeing this talent defend quick perimeter opponents and develop a consistent outside shot!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1633068"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":1641361,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"This weekend, I watched Maddox play power forward for his team, (for the most part).  He has a stocky frame, but glides down the floor and can hit outside shots.  He knows when to flash too.  His guards did not hesitate to get him the ball. He is a legitimate all-around threat at 6'4, so he can be nightmare for teams when it comes to matchups.  I look forward to seeing faster footwork and more aggressive play the next time we meet!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1542328"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Kymani is long and lean, working on feet like u0022The Dream.u0022  In case some of you young whipper snappers don't know, u0022The Dreamu0022 was better known as Hakeem Olajuwon.  He moves smoothly and swiftly through the paint, calling for the ball often.  He has long arms and legs, so blocks and deflections happen often.  He gets up and down the court well, but I would like to see him finish stronger in the paint.  This talent is surely on his way!","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1633084"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":1641388,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Connor is an up-and-coming prospect.  I believe with increased speed, muscle, and aggressiveness; he can be dangerous.  He is consistent with finishing around the rim, shares the ball when he sees a teammate cut, and can hit outside shots. Mr. Corris frequently slips behind opponents for a back door pass or lob in the paint. We look forward to Connor showing off his talents this winter!","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->