RCS Sports Season Opener: Top Forward Performances

Doryan Onwuchekwa Doryan Onwuchekwa 6'11" | C Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy | 2024 State #94 Nation TX 2024 6’11 Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy

Doryan was flat out dominant during his time in Houston, using his impressive frame to bully his opponents in the post, move them when fighting on the glass, and then quickly exploding vertically to finish in the post. I have been very impressed by the development I have seen in him athletically in the last year. His motor has DRAMATICALLY improved, and he is now showing off some impressive foot speed for a near seven footer. His athleticism and leaping ability allows him to flush home dunks but also high point rebounds with ease. His 6’10 frame is paired perfectly with his broad shoulders, he has all of the physical tools to become a true dominant big at the next level. He has a great touch on his jumper, and all of the size to shoot over anyone at the high school level. He can become a high level player out of the pick and roll or pop, a true dual threat weapon on the offensive side of the floor. He is great at staying vertical when someone is attempting to put his shoulder in his chest. He was willing to put his body on the line, whether he was drawing charges or getting on the floor after loose balls. He was dominant on the glass on both ends of the floor, but where it really came out was his ability to keep the ball high and make the right outlet pass to jump start his team on the fast break. In the half court, he was good at keeping the ball high and out of his defender’s reach, whether he had his back to the basket, after grabbing a rebound or operating out of the high post. 

Jadyn Toppin Jadyn Toppin 6'9" | PF Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy | 2023 State TX 2023 6’8 Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy

Jaydn has explosive leaping ability that allows him to shut down the gym with some impressive dunks and tip dunks! I loved his energy and willingness to contest every shot on the defensive end. He has quick feet and an ability to defend the perimeter and even block three point jumpers after having both his feet in the paint. His ability to defend the perimeter does not stop with his ability to block shots, he has active hands and a good nose for the ball on when to attack passes in the passing lane. His ability to close space is elite and will make him an incredibly valuable weapon at the next level. He recovers well and can slide over to protect the rim after his teammate gets beat off the dribble, he had an incredibly impressive block on the weak side. He has a very quick spin move that allows him to create space in the mid post and on the block. I was very impressed with his ability to get to the rim, even with some crowded spacing playing with another dominant center and another athletic forward who all live in the paint. Toppin has all the tools to become a consistent weapon on the offensive side of the floor and can become a valuable weapon at the next level.

Joseph Tugler 2023 6’7 Cypress Falls High School

Joseph was at it again, scoring at will down low and causing havoc on the defensive side of the ball. He finished jaw dropping lobs and tip in dunks for easy clean up on the glass, and was always in the right spot down low to be ready for a dump off pass. He fought against some smaller athletes down low from Beaumount United, which gave him some problems until he realized he could effortlessly back them down, and then quickly turn around. He quickly used power moves out of the post including drop steps and quick turn around over both shoulders. The University of Houston commit had the coaching staff in attendance to watch him compete, and he did not disappoint

Chris McDermott Chris McDermott 6'8" | PF Booker T. Washington | 2024 State #109 Nation TX 2024 6’7 Booker T Washington High School

Chris was a defensive menace during his time on the court, and is really looking like a force to be reckoned with on the offensive side of things. He can play out of the mid-post, out of the triple threat or with his back to the basket. He smartly and quickly attacks his defender before the help defender can come over. He has a confident post turn around, and can hit it at the elbow or stretching the floor on the wings and the corners. When he is backing smaller opponents down, he is strong and knows how to effectively use a drop step into dunk on his opponent. His elite offensive skills allows him to effortlessly attack a single match-up every time down, getting to what he is good at depending on the kind of player the defense has thrown on him. He is a high level rebounder, who knows how to high point the ball and constantly clear the glass. He can out leap bigger defenders, but also works to box out his opponents and allow himself or his teammates to grab uncontested rebounds. McDermott is a very intriguing prospect who seems to have all of the tools be to become a dominant forward at the next level. As he continues to develop his handle and ability to create from the outside, McDermott will definitely be a force!

Jake Pike Jake Pike 6'7" | PF Houston St. Thomas | 2023 State TX 2023 6’8 St. Thomas High School

Jake is another top forward prospects still left in Texas, a supreme athlete with an ability to hammer home impressive dunks but also an ability to dance on the perimeter and score from range. I have been very impressed with how well he has developed his agility and foot speed over the last two years, nimbly attacking the basket every time he steps on the court. His ability to get downhill with a live dribble is already at a very high level, and it is very impressive to see at someone his size. Pike’s ability to get downhill and get to the rim always has his opponent’s on their toes. Where he separates himself from other bigs is how well he is able to score from the outside. He has great shot mechanics and an ability to quickly get shots up off the catch, always staying ready to quickly fire shots from the corners and wings, even on the break!