Rocky Mountain Mayhem: Eye Opening 17U Defensive Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These were a few highly impactful forwards on the defensive end of the floor, while showing intrigue on the offensive end in various avenues. Largely structured around juniors and sophomores, this group should be on collegiate radar thanks to their constant hustle and physicality.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1360574' first='Reid' last='Finch'] - CP Magic - Rock Canyon - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1943526,"width":204,"height":134,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/rfinch-crop-2912x1912-1683051843.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/rfinch-crop-2912x1912-1683051843.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943526" width="204" height="134" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finch continues his baseline as a highly impactful two-way rebounder and staunch interior defender. At roughly 6'6, the combo forward has excellent size, allowing him stay straight up against hard hits one on one. Already proving effective against 4s and 3s, Finch is incredibly sturdy versus some of the strongest opponents in the building. Continuing to refine his ballhandling with either hand while under pressure will be important, given how well he already leverages his strength.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577936' first='Alex' last='Riddick'] - Prolific Elite - Grandview - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1943524,"width":200,"height":131,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/ariddick-crop-2912x1912-1683051784.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/ariddick-crop-2912x1912-1683051784.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943524" width="200" height="131" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riddick did especially well in transition chasing down shots to block, possessing notable agility and vertical. At roughly 6'6, Riddick is one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in the 2024 Colorado class, due to his versatility against 1-3. Working to develop his perimeter game will be imperative, given his athletic baseline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1943498' first='Nathan' last='Rutar'] - Hard2Guard - Faith Christian - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1943509,"width":232,"height":152,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/nrutar-crop-2912x1912-1683051592.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/nrutar-crop-2912x1912-1683051592.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943509" width="232" height="152" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rutar is a bouncy athlete at 6'5, especially tough to stop while he has momentum going to his right hand. The junior forward is very strong on the glass or while finishing in the paint. He got a large dosage of points through the pick and roll, often slipping the screen to create gaps in the lane. Rutar's development of the jump shot will be imperative towards his collegiate upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1933553' first='Nathan' last='Bantock'] - [program_tooltip program_id='2080820' first='Hoops' last='Academy'] - Dakota Ridge - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1943515,"width":216,"height":142,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/nathanbantock1-crop-2912x1912-1683051642.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/nathanbantock1-crop-2912x1912-1683051642.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943515" width="216" height="142" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bantock showed intriguing flashes along the perimeter, knocking down spot up threes and attacking after hard closeouts approached. The wing stands right around 6'5, boasting defensive upside blocking shots, grabbing at least two per game from the event. On multiple occasions, Bantock grabbed chase down blocks, either in transition or as help from the weak side. Entering his senior year at Dakota Ridge, Bantock will be a valuable contributor in a new look program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1577939' first='Amari' last='Chandler'] - Prolific Elite - Cherokee Trail - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chandler continues to steadily refine his perimeter skillset, getting more fluid stepping into jumpers and handling in the open court. Throughout this event, the small forward brought up the ball, initiating the offense for Prolific Elite. He even showed flashes of pull-up shooting within the mid-range, showing greater willingness with this shot selection. Chandler is an intriguing forward due to his consistent progression along the perimeter at his size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1848636' first='Brady' last='Wynja'] - Team Revenge - Valor Christian - 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1943522,"width":216,"height":141,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/bwynja-crop-2912x1912-1683051732.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/bwynja-crop-2912x1912-1683051732.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1943522" width="216" height="141" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wynja did well as a help side shot blocker, providing a heavily impactful interior defense for Revenge, who went 3-1. The 6'4 forward was sturdy in the paint, not moved around easily by opposing 2s and 3s. Not to mention that Wynja was notably impactful rebounding on the defensive end, searching for box outs at all times. He will be an intriguing defensive piece for Valor Chrisitan down the line, given their significant backcourt depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->