End of the Season Frontcourt Stock Risers

Ryan Morgan July 27, 2023 @ 08:25 PM

The AAU season is just about done. So, here are some of the forwards making gains from the wings and the paint in the month of July.   [player_tooltip player_id='1696798' first='Ryan' last='Avary'] | Tacoma United Rogers (Puyallup) '25   Avary is an interesting wing player who shows some promise as a guy who can score here and there with a mix of 3-point shots and drives to the hoop. He does lack some consistency, specifically with the outside shot, but his length makes him a tough guard off the dribble. He's a solid rebounder and has shown some impact ability on defense as well. There are still a lot of questions to be answered but the potential is there.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612193' first='Pawlose' last='Aschalew'] | Seattle Select O'Dea '24   I was surprised to see Aschalew looking much quicker and more effective from the wings than the last time I watched him play. He was keeping up with players while defending on the perimeter, could switch onto guards, and stay in front while not getting burned for deep shots either. On the other end, he even had a few plays run for him to get open looks from behind the arc. It was a nice development for the wing who could be a key contributor as O'Dea looks to get back to the state title game this winter.   [player_tooltip player_id='1440564' first='Malcolm' last='Clark'] | Seattle Select O'Dea '24   This kid looks much more comfortable working around the rim, running post-ups, defending deep in the paint, and providing stability on the glass. He still has nice touch on the jumper and can put the ball on the floor a little, but he's a much more balanced player who looks a lot stronger and physically more adept to handle work around the paint.   [player_tooltip player_id='1984464' first='Talon' last='Jenkins'] | Seattle Select Meridian '25   Jenkins is a relatively new name still but he's been really impressive this spring and summer as a pretty fluid wing scorer. He has good size and is decently nimble and can be pretty dang effective creating shots at times. He has those moments where it looks like things click and his feel for making moves and sinking shots comes easy. He's a shooter from deep too and will be a name to watch this winter to see how he fares in a bigger role.   [player_tooltip player_id='2021596' first='Carter' last='Cohen'] | Seattle Select North Creek '26   Cohen has lots of potential as a stretch big. He's not quite physical enough yet to be a consistent player against players who can match his size, but he still has the fight and determination to battle at the rim and on the glass. One thing I do like, besides the 3-point stroke, is his consistent ability to rebound and finish high above the rim. He's aggressive to the ball and up to the rim, and when he does get stronger that mentality is really going to show.   [player_tooltip player_id='2158603' first='Kayden' last='Stuit'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2088822' first='D1' last='Elite'] Lynden Christian '24   Stuit is a big, strong kid who really asserts his muscle around the rim, shoving off defenders with power dribbles and cleaning up on the boards. He's not a guy who's easily moved once he gets position and if you choose to foul him, he has enough touch to capitalize at the line. He's a hard worker too and someone who will grind down opposing bigs.

The AAU season is just about done. So, here are some of the forwards making gains from the wings and the paint in the month of July.