MAIT 2024: Top Power Forwards And Centers 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 power forwards and centers to watch for this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230778"],"_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 7-3 senior center and Purdue signee plays with solid length and moves exceptionally well for his size. Jacobsen is not your traditional back-to-the-basket center as he can stretch the floor and hit shots at all three levels on the offensive end. Jacobsen has become more adaptable into catch-and-shoot releases this season where he shoots nearly 40 percent from the mid-range. Defensively, Jacobsen adds a nice presence where he plays with a ton of length and challenges shots around the rim. His next step will be to add some muscle in order to improve his rebounding ability and play more physical on the interior.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1089573"],"_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 6-10 senior center remains a kept secret as he remains one of the top unsigned prospects in this year's Montverde Academy Invitational Tournament. Queen is a big-bodied prospect when he has very good hands and footwork around the rim. He is very patient and plays with a soft touch when it comes to his shot selection as well. Queen is also a solid rebounder at both ends of the floor, as well as an improved jump shot he can knock down on all three levels. Defensively, Queen plays with a high motor where he challenges shots around the rim and stays disciplined.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1055578"],"_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 6-9 senior power forward and Georgia commit plays with a ton of length and has a complete skillset where he impacts the game in a variety of ways. He has a smooth jump shot with his range that expands to the perimeter, especially when playing off the catch. He also has strong rebounding instincts, especially on the offensive end where he can keep possessions alive. Defensively, Newell plays with a ton of size, and when he has his motor high he can produce in a ton of ways.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1276627"],"_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 junior combo forward has a solid reputation when he can score on all three levels on the offensive end. Grady continues to play with a ton of confidence where he can play off the catch, and the bounce. Defensively, Grady will give you a ton of versatility where he can guard multiple positions as he has a strong knack for guarding off the ball. Offensively, Grady has smooth handles and a strong IQ where he makes the right reads as well as not forcing many mistakes. Grady currently holds offers from California, Portland, Portland State, and several others.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2317299"],"_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":"The 6-7 junior power forward is in his first year playing basketball in the United States, after playing three years in Spain. Aristode is a tough two-way player who brings a ton of versatility to the table as he can guard multiple positions as well as make havoc for opposing guards. Offensively, Aristode plays with a ton of strength and physicality where he is unafraid to finish around the rim through contact. He has also become a viable threat where he can be a threat to score on all three levels.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["2306288"],"_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 6-9 junior and France native plays with a ton of length on both ends of the floor. Venegeto has a strong IQ where he makes the right reads and rebounds exceptionally well. He is also very energetic when it comes to jumping the passing lanes as his athleticism continues to improve, where he turns defense into offense in a hurry. In his first year playing basketball in the United States, Venegeto's game has continued to improve as the season rolls on.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1131775"],"_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 6-7 senior power forward and Alabama commit is a springy and bouncy wing who continues to have a ton of upside. Reid is primarily a back-to-the-basket player but this season he has expanded his offensive game into becoming more of a three-level scoring threat. Defensively, Reid plays with a ton of confidence whether it's guarding multiple positions or bringing a presence into the passing lanes. Reid can turn defense into offense in a hurry as he brings a ton of quickness for his size, as well as getting downhill finishing above the rim. Adjusting his pace will be the next step in Reid's game as he has high intangibles to play beyond the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":7,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b13ffb247dc"} /-->