Top Forward Prospects from OTR Exposure Houston Tip Off

Robert Miller Robert Miller 6'10" | PF Pasadena Memorial | 2024 State #84 Nation TX 2024 6’9 Pasadena Memorial High School (TX)

Robert is a freak athlete who has a natural ability to finish in the paint. What makes him an elite prospect is the way he effects the game from the perimeter and with his handle. Miller has a consistent and smooth jumper from the outside, and enough skill to get his own shot off whenever he wants. He is a real three level threat when the ball is in his hands. He has the perfect blend of size and athleticism, paired perfectly with a tight handle, great feel for the game and ferocity to finish in traffic! I have been very impressed with how well his handle has improved over the last year, allowing him to get up and down the court with ease, snatching rebounds off the rim and then running the other way to finish down the defense’s throat!

Simply put, Robert is one of the best prospects in his class. Defensively he is a nightmare, coming over from the weak side to smack shots into the stands, but also playing intense defense on the perimeter when necessary. His size and athleticism makes his opponent’s aware every time they put their head down to get into the paint, an extra eye is trained on where Robert is at. He takes pride in attacking you or going at big time players in these match-ups, wanting to prove to everyone just how good he has become in such a short amount of time. He has all the tools to be an incredibly effective prospect who looks like he can be molded into any kind of basketball player imaginable with his size.

Zayden High 2023 6’10 Arizona Compass Prep (AZ)

The University of North Carolina Commit was simply dominant in his return to Texas. He finishes with ease in the paint, naturally snatching rebounds down and putting them back up for second chance points. His ability to clear space and fight on the glass is at an elite level, constantly seeming like the only one in the paint with how he skies for rebounds. His basketball IQ has really improved playing with some high level point guards this summer who constantly put him in the right position to easily finish plays. What makes High dominant is his ability to handle the ball or kill you with his back to the basket. He really improved his versatility and ability to handle the ball and score off the bounce, calmly scoring over anyone in his face. He can take you off the bounce or kill you out of the triple threat. He displayed an elite ability to punish defenses out of the pick and roll or pop depending on the situation.

Defensively, he is great at rejecting shots and timing up his opponents to send shots into the third row. He is an elite rim protector who is not afraid of anyone coming down the court full speed. I loved watching him work and dominate on the defensive end of the court, calmly making good decisions as a help defender and using his length to cut off passing lanes. I would like to see him work on his handle and ability to move laterally.

Justin Bodo 2023 7’0 Southern California Academy (CA)

Justin is a huge force down low, and can dominate you from the free throw line in. He can calmly get to the basket with his handle, or kill you with his back to the basket and then quickly turn around after bullying his opponent deep under the basket. He has an impressive array of post moves allowing him to calmly manipulate his opponent down low, patiently waiting to finish over the out stretched arms of his defenders. He is great at fronting the post, keeping his opponent on his back and then being ready for an entry pass. He allows his team to play inside out and punish you from the perimeter with the high level shooters surrounding him. Bodo can calmly create looks for his teammates, keeping his head up and firing timely passes out to his shooters as he reads the floor over their heads.

Trenton Burns 2024 7’0 PSAT Academy (TX)

Trenton is a jaw dropping prospect, standing at a full seven feet, but more importantly has a very modern game. He can punish you from beyond the arc, put the ball on the floor and create separation with his handle in the full court. On the offensive end of the court, he loves showing off his smooth stroke from the outside, routinely spotting up in the corners and is deadly as the trailer option. Defenders were terrified of letting him get past them to finish in the paint, and no one could rise up high enough to even get a hand in his face to contest his jumper. I was blown away with his smooth control with a live dribble, and how he could get into a one to two dribble pull up whenever the defense gave him space.

Burns has unlimited potential on both ends of the court with his perfect blend of size, athleticism and skill. He possesses tremendous size and athleticism which allows him to wreak havoc on the defensive end of the court, blocking shots from all three levels of the floor. He has good foot speed to keep up with quicker guards and wings on the perimeter, and his size allows him to protect the paint. Burns is a division one lock in my eyes with his incredible fluidity and ability to affect the game on both ends of the court, easily one of the most impressive 2024 prospects in the entire country! 

Josh Akpovwa Josh Akpovwa 6'7" | C Katy Seven Lakes | 2023 State TX 2023 6’7 Katy Seven Lakes High School (TX)

The University of Incarnate Ward commit showed he can battle with some of the best prospects in the country, battling against Arizona Compass Prep (#1 Team in the Country). Josh has really developed well and has a unique blend of strength and athleticism on his frame. I was very impressed with his aggressiveness and ability to punish you with his back to the basket, constantly manipulating his defenders and moving them with his dominant frame and size. He is an absolute force down low, and has an ability to rim run, finish at the basket and protect his own rim. He is a natural big man who can do it all. Akpovwa plays off of his two lead guards very well, and is a great pick and roll punch with the two of them. He rolls hard to the basket for easy opportunities and is good at fronting the post and sealing off his defender. His awareness in the pick and roll is already ready for the next level, and will allow him to find his spots and get to the rim.