MAIT 2024: Top Forwards And Wings To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 21st Annual Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament is returning this week from January 25 to January 27. Eight programs from inside the Top 50 in our national rankings, according to MaxPreps will be on display, with teams featuring three different states. Here is a look at the top forwards and wings to watch for this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2317315"],"_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":"The 6-7 junior forward has star-level potential as he has grown into a solid prospect since the start of his freshman season. Fowler is explosive and can score in a variety of ways on the offensive end, whether it's off drives to the basket or off the catch. Defensively, Fowler is very versatile where he can guard multiple positions using his length and athleticism on all three levels. He is also a high-level rebounder who is unafraid when it comes to pushing the tempo as he doesn't force many mistakes when he has the basketball in his hands.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1529128"],"_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":"The 6-8 sophomore forward has grown into his abilities. Wilkins can handle the basketball from the perimeter where he overpowers guys based on his physicality. He is very disciplined defensively where he can guard positions 1 through 5 on the floor and can challenge shots around the rim. Wilkins was very impressive with his on-the-ball guarding skills as his footwork continues to improve. Wilkins holds offers from Providence, Rutgers, West Virginia and several others.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2321479"],"_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":"The 6-8 junior forward re-classed from 2026 to 2025 over the summer and has improved his game in a variety of ways. Dybantsa is a long, wiry wing that has a smooth handle in the open court allowing him to finish around the rim through traffic as well as great passing skills. Defensively, Dybantsa plays with a ton of length where he can block shots around the rim as well as challenge shots out on the perimeter. He is on track to be one of the top-ranked players in his class, as he continues to get stronger and more physical inside.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1702934"],"_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":"The 6-7 sophomore wing is quick and shifty for his size where he is explosive in the open-court. Stokes has an advanced basketball IQ as he is tough to stop once he gets going on the offensive end. Stokes is also a good finisher around the rim whether it's off put-backs or attacking the rim. Defensively, Stokes has great hands and feet where he can get into the passing lanes using his length to get deflections or tip passes. He can also guard positions 1 through 4 as he plays with a ton of speed and remaining under control. Stokes holds offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Louisville, Xavier, Texas Au0026amp;M and several others.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1454289"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Arguably, the nation's No. 1 recruit in this year's senior class is a generational-type power forward who is explosive around the rim. Flagg is an elite two-way player and has a unique talent where he can stretch the floor on both ends whether it's challenging shots around the perimeter as well as a pure knock-down shooter off the catch. Flagg rebounds well for his size using his length and has great court awareness. Flagg also has solid handles for his size and is an elite playmaker from the power forward position.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1301718"],"_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":"The 6-7 junior wing has a smooth skillset where he can play out on the perimeter, as well as in the post. Abaev has impressive footwork, especially in the mid-range where he can score off the bounce as well as the catch. He also has a smooth release where he can get his shot off against bigger players as he displays great length. Defensively, Abaev is an active rebounder who is unafraid when it comes to pushing the pace where he has improved his handle on the basketball. His growth has continued to rise and expected to attract a ton of college coaches' radars as he can play multiple positions on both ends of the floor.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1301713"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The 6-6 junior forward is a high-flying athlete who can make plays with and without the ball in his hands. Offensively, Jones has improved his game and has gotten more confident when it comes to shooting from the perimeter. Defensively, Jones plays with a good combination skillset of size and length where he can rebound and push the pace. Jones holds offers from Cincinnati, Houston, LSU, Providence, South Carolina, and several others.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1055724"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The 6-8 senior power forward and Virginia Tech commit missed the first half of the season, due to a knee injury. Jones is an elite rebounder and scorer from all three levels on the offensive end. He has continued to gain consistency as he plays with a ton of length and physicality and he has a great feel and understanding of the game. Defensively, Jones isn't the quickest when it comes to guarding out on the perimeter but knows where his spots are and has a strong nose for the basketball. Jones can also initiate the offense as his handles have continued to improve where he is a good decision-maker when it comes to shooting versus passing the ball.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65aff3d882996"} /-->