2023 Final Rankings: Best Available Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the final edition of the 2023 rankings published, we take a look at some of the best available forwards still available in North Carolina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>There's no better time to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: JAYANDERSON30</em></strong>, sign up <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TODAY</a>!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["997734"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='997734' first='Elijah' last='Strong'] recently decommitted from Wofford this past January with a coaching change coming on the horizon for them and he's continued to impress on the hardwood with his ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. He can knock down shots at the high-post and on the perimeter and in the post, he's even more of a lethal threat as a passer. He finished up his high school career at Myers Park High on a high note as they won the NCHSAA 4A State Title as he put up 15.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.1 spg to close out his high school career. He's a surefire DI prospect that's recently earned offers from the likes of Boston College, George Mason, St. Bonaventure, among others to add to his ever growing list of offers. He's a prospect that should bolster a frontcourt for years to come with his mobility and ability to pass out of the post.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/ElijahStrong35_/status/1640202130291040261?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1640341"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1640341' first='Tyson' last='Barrett'] is a recent import in the state at Quality Education Academy in the 336 area that's found his footing at the power forward spot. He made quite an impressive anchor alongside Bobby Cannon (2024) as they finished the 2022-23 season with a 28-12 record. He's an active presence around the rim on both ends of the floor that looks to use his length to his advantage at 6-foot-. He's also shown he can handle the ball in spurts and make plays happen around the rim with his athleticism. He holds offers from South Carolina State, Columbia State, Mars Hill, Georgetown College and University of the Cumberlands currently. He'll certainly improve any frontcourt given his energy and effort around the rim and as he improves, he could find himself on a bigger stage by the end of his career.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/TysonBarrett6/status/1642709664067465216?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["577871"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='577871' first='Avion' last='Pinner'] is a versatile 6-foot-9 forward that found his bearings at Concord Academy as the leader on offense and in the frontcourt. His recruitment has cooled a bit since the 2022 grassroots cycle has passed, but given his positioning in the final rankings, fact still remains, Pinner is a talented forward that could prove valuable on the D1/D2 level. He's a prospect that can do a little bit of everything given his length and mobility. He produced 16.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.3 bpg and 1.8 spg in leading the Eagles to a  31-7 record and another appearance in the NCISAA 3A State Title game.  He's a prospect that could find himself on good footing as an unsigned senior that still plays this spring/summer to showcase his talents.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/HoneyteamA/status/1620186583805861890?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1240918"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1240918' first='Jordan' last='Pyke'] is another versatile prospect, though listed at the power forward spot, at 6-foot-9 that lifted Shining Light Academy in a big way this season. He produced 20.1 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 4.3 apg, 2.7 bpg and 2.1 spg in leading the Knights to a CSAA Division 1 State Championship.  He was a double-double machine on the floor and instant offense with his ability to change ends of the floor as a ballhandler. He's a prospect that plays with a ton of energy around the rim, looking to finish with authority or with his creative ability to finish in traffic. He isn't shy about handling the ball on the perimeter either and can get hot in a hurry from behind the arc when given opportunities.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OtBbJ0snqg[/embed]","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1080180"],"_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":1704224,"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1080180' first='Jack' last='Voth'] is a recent import to Hoggard High in the Wilmington area that's shown off what he can do on the hardwood in the 2023 class. While listed at the power forward spot, he can play on the wing and handle the ball as a guard as well, making him a G/F really at the next level. At 6-foot-6 given his strong frame and footwork around the rim, he's a potential matchup nightmare on the DII/DIII level. He led the Vikings in 2022-23 with 18.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 1.1 apg while shooting 47 percent from the field. He isn't quite the efficient 3-point shooter just yet (30% from 3-point land in 2022-23) but as he continues to develop his guard skills and improve as a playmaker, he's got the potential to be a very solid long-term prospect at the next level. He holds an offer from Tusculum.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/HereGoJayAgain/status/1605568030754455552?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1614295"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1614295' first='Caleb' last='Surgers'] is a 6-foot-7 that can operate at either forward spot on the floor that's just tapping into what he can do on the hardwood as he starred this past season with the Panther Creek Catamounts. He posted 9.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 1.3 bpg while shooting 68 percent from the field to close out his high school career. He showed he could be a factor on both ends of the floor in his first season as a full-time starter. As he improves on his consistency on offense to make himself a presence in both the high-post and paint area, look for his recruitment to grow as an unsigned senior prospect with [program_tooltip program_id='2078529' first='Strong' last='Center'] on the grassroots scene. He's underrated athletically and his better days of basketball are ahead of him as he continues to improve as a versatile forward on the floor.u003cbru003eu003cbru003e[embed]https://twitter.com/CSurgers/status/1634217205926592513?s=20[/embed]","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642b88db399ef"} /-->