JV Corner: #SpartanInvitational Emerging Frontcourt Talent

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Here are my thoughts on some of the talented frontcourt players I saw…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340159,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Hill-McCluney-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Hill-McCluney-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340159" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455020' first='Hill' last='McCluney']</strong> (6'4/C/'26/Mountain Brook HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: hill.mccluney_14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Hill had an impressive day one of the tourney, and he followed it up on day two with a better performance. He is a player who plays dual roles as he finds time on varsity and gets time on JV periodically. He is a workhorse, and I could sum it all up with that statement. I have not seen a player at this tourney work harder than him on both ends of the floor. Yes, he is undersized and not very athletic in the bigger picture, but his heart, energy, and effort cannot be measured. The good thing for Hill right now, in the midst of it all as we try to gauge his future, is that he is in the Mountain Brook system, which will put him in positions to play to his strengths. Hill rebounds in and out of his area, offers a lot of resistance defensively on the low block, and will give his best to outwork his opponent on every possession. Players like Hill you find a spot on the team and minutes on the floor.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340161,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Ethan-Thomas-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Ethan-Thomas-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340161" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455011' first='Ethan' last='Thomas']</strong> (6'5/PF/'26/Hoover HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Ethanth8mas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Ethanth8mas</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ethan is an interior presence with length who is still a little raw offensively but makes his presence felt on the glass and defending the low block. There is no questioning he needs polishing offensively, but the good thing about his game is that he is a blank canvas as he looks to develop his offensive skill set. On this level, he does a good job scoring over the top and running the floor when his squad is out in transition. His wingspan helps him when it comes to protecting the rim. A good summer in the lab building up his offensive toolkit will be vital to securing a spot on the varsity level.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340162,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-ArMari-Towns-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-ArMari-Towns-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340162" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ar'Mari Towns</strong> (6'6/PF|C/'26/Hoover HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Ayoomarii2026._</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @ayoomarii2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ar'Mari is an interesting talent. There are moments when you are watching him, and you are thinking about how high his ceiling actually is, and then there are moments when he leaves you scratching your head, wondering if he knew he had a game today. When locked in and engaged, he is extremely tough to deal with on the inside. His length is a factor on both ends, as, on the JV level, not many can match up against him. He easily shoots over smaller defenders as well as controls the boards. Ar'Mari is a shot blocker but needs to discipline his defense as well as his offense. He runs the floor like a deer and can hammer it down above the rim. The talent is there. The question is, can he mentally pull it all in and grow into the caliber player he has the potential to be. I will say this: if he can pull it all together, he will be a talent we will discuss over the next two years.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2310550,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jayden-Carson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jayden-Carson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2310550" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313932' first='Jayden' last='Carson'] </strong>(6'6/C/'26/Clay-Chalkville HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: nobodybutjayden</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @14Jaydencarson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have put ink on Jayden before, and he continues to be a significant factor on the inside, particularly on the defensive end of the floor. With what he has shown in games I have seen him play, he could emerge into a high-level rim protector, given his physical tools and instincts. He is a positional rebounder and defender, and if he can expand his offensive game and develop his body in the weight room, he will be a talent that will have our attention over the next two years.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340163,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Brett-Brown-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Brett-Brown-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340163" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2454992' first='Brett' last='Brown']</strong> (6'3/PF/'26/Vestavia HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: brettbrown_22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @BrettBrown22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brett is a smooth frontcourt player with a lot of versatility in his game. He is a lengthy talent who can score from all levels, handle the rock in open space, and create off the bounce. He is a finesse finisher and knows how to get to his spots on the floor where his percentages to score are higher. He showed outstanding production in the 15-18 ft area, is a reliable facilitator at the high post, is a threat facing up on short kickouts, and does a good job in the middle game when chased off the line. He stretches the floor with his long ball and has a special talent for scoring the rock overall.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->