Five Forwards Certain to Breakout this Spring

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='1578683' first='Clay' last='Payne']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College coaches have an assortment of Evaluation Periods this spring/summer. For the classes of 2024 and 2025 these are most likely the windows to generate initial interest/offers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dozens and even hundreds will be evaluated. We expect these 10 forwards to breakout by performing wonderfully during those first impressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1578683' first='Clay' last='Payne'] | Team Mookie 17u | USN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A recipient of the @PrepHoopsTN Combine Defensive MVP, [player_tooltip player_id='1578683' first='Clay' last='Payne'] is a long-limbed forward with upside. During his high school season Payne earned placement on the Division 2-A Middle Region All District Team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/clarencerpayne4/status/1777357497168281833","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/clarencerpayne4/status/1777357497168281833 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Hesson | Stars North 17u - Miller | Gallatin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Miller raves about Logan, and sees him as a small college prospect, of the Bryan College level. His view is that Hesson will be able to contribute for that size of a program. For Gallatin High Coach Bobby Luna Hesson played as a lefty forward/center at 6-foot-3. The program was filled with senior guards and wings though. Hesson was never going to play minutes ahead of <strong>De'Costa Ricks</strong>, <strong>Trevarius Reed</strong> (2025), <strong>Ladainian McMurry</strong>, and <strong>Reginald Crenshaw</strong>. This forced him to the low block as an energy guy. Rebounding and defending. His summer will provide the opportunity to showcase a wider array of skills. Look for Stars North 17u - Miller as they play April 26-28 at the Prep Hoops Circuit event called<a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/967/register/music-city-madness"> Music City Madness</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1498844' first='Kamden' last='Days'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078775' first='Tennessee' last='Tigers'] 17u | Pope Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kamden was one of many stars for Pope Prep this past winter. Graduated are Will Spence, Donovan James, [player_tooltip player_id='1983717' first='Antonio' last='Wilkerson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1336420' first='Fred' last='Bailey']. Make way for Kamden, [player_tooltip player_id='1508978' first='Jarron' last='Talley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1578715' first='Osby' last='Cavin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1560719' first='Trey' last='Pearson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kamden runs the floor well and gets off of the floor well. His skills are modest, but there are no major roadblocks preventing him from thriving at the college level. It will be a fun summer for he and the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111745' first='Cameron' last='Brown'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad'] 17u | Whitehaven</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A high-level athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='2111745' first='Cameron' last='Brown'] gets run with [program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad'] 17u. PrepHoopsTN writer Courtney Smith was enamored with Brown's play <a href="https://prephoops.com/2024/04/tennessee-jam-sundays-notes/">this past weekend</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shooting guard <strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2111745' first='Cameron' last='Brown']</strong> </strong>was solid all weekend for <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078772' first='Team' last='Thad']</strong> . He had 18 points in a win over <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2080358' first='TNBC' last='Elite']</strong> and 13 against the <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078775' first='Tennessee' last='Tigers']</strong> . Brown used his 6-5 frame to finish at the rim. He made shots from the perimeter. This is a great opportunity for Brown to show he's a college wing. This is a good start for the Whitehaven High product. Brown will need to keep this up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Courtney Smith (@CourtneyHoops90)</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2199936' first='Cooper' last='Williams'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2393604' first='Tennessee' last='Impact'] 17u | Oak Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A powerful, big-bodied forward, [player_tooltip player_id='2199936' first='Cooper' last='Williams'] will shine in the cluttered sky of stars in each AAU gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper was selected to the Region 2-4A All-Tournament Team for Oak Ridge High. He is a high-academic talent too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper is not jumping over people right now, but he is very quick in and out of his moves around the rim. Excitingly, Cooper can hit the outside shot from time to time. The low post footwork is better than most 4A bigs in Tennessee. Williams is going to play college basketball someday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->