All-Sleeper Team Wings, Forwards, & Bigs
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The points per game don’t always tell the full story…in fact for these guys, at times, they might not get the credit they deserve or any credit at all. Despite not being the leader scorer on a nightly basis, these…
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Continue ReadingThe points per game don’t always tell the full story…in fact for these guys, at times, they might not get the credit they deserve or any credit at all. Despite not being the leader scorer on a nightly basis, these wings, forwards, and bigs are college level guys that impact the game in more ways than one.
Jordan Samuel Jordan Samuel 6’6″ | SF Winder | 2025 GA is a wiry and lengthy 6’6″ Wing/Forward who can sometimes be overlooked due to his level of calmness and poise on the court. Jordan is a true two-way player that can knock down threes, shoot the mid-range shot with good efficiency, can finish above and around the rim, and has improved his athletic ability through0ut season. He can handle the ball well, make great passes, and displays a strong IQ for the game. Defensively, he can defend well on the perimeter, forcing shooters to adjust to his length, and he’s a reliable shot blocker. Jordan has become more and more aggressive with his touches, as the season has progressed, and coaches should look for it to continue to finish out the season. Mid-major programs should definitely take a deeper look at Jordan and what he can bring to their program.
Javonte’s 6’9″ frame is hard to miss, and his stock has been rising consistently over the course of the season. As a sophomore, he’s shown that he can rebound with the best of them. He has a big frame that allows him to play physical and above the rim whenever he gets ready. In two games versus Sandy Creek and Cedar Grove, which featured Division 1 caliber talent, on the opposing squads, Javonte showed the ability to defend on the perimeter some, and definitely made his presence felt as a rim protector, blocking and altering shots throughout the course of those games. On the block, he posts up well, and has the strength that allows him to get in position, to play with his back to the basket when needed. He’s mid-range shot has improved throughout the season, and his begin to look more like a Stretch 4 Forward. Javonte has the tangibles to develop into a high level, highly sought after Division 1 prospect and his offseason development will ultimately decide that how much his stock will rise, in the eyes of coaches.
Caleb is the perfect mixture of a Combo Guard and a Forward. As a Combo Forward, he has a strong dribble that allows him to put the ball on the floor and take care of the ball, with minimal turnovers. He has good elevation on his jumper and a smooth release that provides good rotation on the ball. He can knock down the 15-to-18-footer with ease and shoot the deep ball with consistency. His muscular frame and athleticism allow him to get to his spots on the court and play above the rim. Don’t get too caught up in the points per game, Caleb has good upside that many college coaches should consider further evaluating, especially as he continues to be more aggressive with his opportunities to score the ball.
Nile is another forward that’s not mentioned as much as his talent suggests he should. He’s a strong, athletic forward that can get downhill and finish above and around the rim. He’s a good rebounding forward, that shown the ability to be a 3-level scorer. Also, he’s shown that he can find easy scoring opportunities for his teammates and himself, in transition. He has fluid release on his jump shot and he allows the game to come to him, being patient with his looks and finding good chances to score. His Union Grove team is built on team play and good ball movement, which is why he doesn’t have stats that jump off the page. Make no mistake, Nile can play and can do so on the college level.
Highlights
Temar is one of the top shooters, in the class of 2025, in the state. In a late January game, against Clarke Central, he scored Union Grove’s first nine points going 3 for 3 from 3-4ft from beyond the arc. The opposing coaching staff quickly made adjustments and ran a Box and 1 defense on him, and continued to do so, when he was in the game. Although he can light up from deep, he’s a complete combo guard that that can do more than shoot it. He plays a lot of the ball, on the wing, with the ability to push the ball in transition, get the basket, and finish around the rim. He’s deceptively quick and handles the ball well. As he continues to improve creating opportunities for others to score, his stock is going to continue to rise at a rapid rate. College coaches looking for a knock down shooter, Temar is a name you need to know and follow.