Six Freshmen Bigs You Might See on Varsity This Year

Prep Hoops Staff

November 24, 2023 @ 06:40 PM

It's tough to get varsity minutes as a freshman. But some guys do it. While we can't predict who will do it this season, we have a good feeling this group of forwards and centers might have a shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205760' first='Anthony' last='Davis'], 6-foot-1 forward, 2027, Mill Valley, KC Kings Elite:   Previously we produced a list of freshman guards we think might be ready for varsity play this season. Davis might be better suited for that list. But due to his style of play, we're including him on this list as a forward for now. He's very versatile and isn't opposed to getting into the paint to shoot, rebound and defend. He blocks shots and gets his hands on passes all over the court. He can create angles for shots in the midrange and around the goal. Mill Valley appears to be returning a lot of talent (although we've not seen their official roster just yet). So varsity minutes will be hard to get, but Davis is a guy to keep an eye on, because he was one of the most impressive 2027s we watched this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205710' first='Conor' last='Kerrigan'], 6-foot-4 forward, 2027, Shawnee Mission South:   Prep Hoops scouts really loved what Kerrigan showed this summer. He really runs and gets after it in the open court. He can handle the ball and pass it well, and he plays with an aggressiveness at both ends. He blocks shots and gets a lot of steals and poke-aways on the defensive end.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205709' first='Colton' last='Nichols'], 6-foot-3 forward, 2027, Olathe West (pictured):   The Owls graduated a lot of good seniors. Not knowing what Olathe West has coming up, we think Nichols will be one of the freshmen most likely to get playing time this year. He is a very rugged, physical forward who just flat gets after it. He takes the ball to the teeth of the defense and finishes tough shots. He is a high-level rebounder who can also block shots. He has the whole package – ability to shoot from deep and attack on the bounce. With advanced IQ and instincts, he may be ready for competition on the varsity level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205715' first='Jaylen' last='Phillips-Grey'], 6-foot-4 center, 2027, Independent School (Wichita), Texas Summit:   Wichita Independent graduated almost all the contributors to its run to second place in 2A last year. So with a lot of opportunities out there for new guys, watch for Phillips-Grey to get minutes early. He's not just physically ready for the varsity game, he will be an intimidating force from day one. He's big, yet agile and light on his feet. He understands the pick and roll and how to post up. He's still developing, but his ceiling is high.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205724' first='Nate' last='Robben'], 6-foot-6 center, 2027, Olathe South:   Robben is a large, physically imposing big man who looks to have the skills for early varsity exposure. He is a fundamentally sound center who works hard on the block. He protects the rim and rebounds. He's got length and is solidly built for a ninth grader. We like his chances to play a role on the varsity this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='2205721' first='Logan' last='Wallace'], 6-foot-7 center, 2027, Cheney:   Cheney returns a ton of talent from last year's 17-6 team. They will have their sights set on a tourney run in 3A this year, and they could use a rim protector and physical post to make it happen. Wallace can probably contribute early, particularly because he won't be asked to score a ton. The big ninth grader can shoot and has some ability to put the ball on the floor. He bodies up on the block and uses his length against opposing posts.

It's tough to get varsity minutes as a freshman. But some guys do it. While we can't predict who will do it this season, we have a good feeling this group of forwards and centers might have a shot.