4.21-23: 17U Frontcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big man standouts from last weekend did not disappoint. They showed off some power inside while also proving big man can be playmakers inside, dishing and displaying some nice ball skills. Here are a handful of 17U bigs that stood out over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1439540' first='Hudson' last='Yarbrough'] | Elite Prep | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-foot-8, Yarbrough has excellent ball skills and the confidence to run the break and make the right play. That decision-making extends to his inside game, knowing how to attack defenses and having the skill to do it in a myriad of ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Talan Yearout</strong> | BDH Elite | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yearout has made drastic improvements in the early AAU season finishing around the hoop. He is a thick 6-foot-8 but also one of the more active players on the court. He hustles for rebounds and loose balls, works to be the help defender inside, and isn't shy about using that frame to block off defenders and create driving lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1450562' first='Jacori' last='Ervin'] | WA Supreme | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a guy that seems to get a little better every time I watch him. This time he started off with a monster poster in transition, then followed it up with great rebounding and help-side defense inside. He was able to affect shots without fouling and stay in good position to make plays. Offensively, he showed great hands catching tough passes inside and was active on both ends all game long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='861088' first='Graham' last='Eikenberry'] | BDH Elite | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The BDH big was outstanding over the weekend, establishing early position near the hoop so he only needed a dribble or two to get to his spots and finish the play. He provided a big presence for defenses to worry about and gave some much-needed interior stability to the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1560529' first='Cooper' last='Aitken'] | NW Greyhounds | 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aitken is a strong forward who generally works around the paint, scrapping for rebounds, establishing good position, and showing some nice touch around the key. However, he was able to distribute from the high post last weekend with incredible comfort and efficiency. It was a great development for the big man who already has the power and athleticism to be a factor, but the addition of some interior playmaking could make him an even more intriguing prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->