NEXT Chi-Town Tip Off: Four Fantastic Forwards
In this article:
This weekend I was out in coverage for the NEXT Chi Town Tip Off event in Chicago. Over the three days I had a chance to see several impressive prospects. In this article we highlight four of my top Forwards…
Access all of Prep Hoops Next and Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis weekend I was out in coverage for the NEXT Chi Town Tip Off event in Chicago. Over the three days I had a chance to see several impressive prospects. In this article we highlight four of my top Forwards from this weekend, while briefly diving into their play-style throughout their contests.
Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!
Jared Van Donselaar Jared Van Donselaar 6’5″ | C Grayslake | 2028 IL is someone that I had a chance to see compete last year and he has seemingly gotten better over time. Van Donselaar lives up to his positions name at Forward while standing around 6’5-6’6. He is a lefty that has a solid shooting stroke from deep. Offensively, he has the ability to post up and score going over either shoulder but he is especially good on the left block, using his strong hand. This weekend he demonstrated more times than not that he keeps it simple and uses his size to score over smaller opponents whenever the opportunity presents itself. As Van Donselaar gets older, if his game can continue to expand and stay consistent, he is going to be a handful for anyone who tries to matchup with his size and lengthy demeanor.
Highlights
One of the most fundamental and complete Forwards/Combo Guards that I had a chance to evaluate this weekend was Liam Bazin Liam Bazin 6’1″ | SF IN of Region Force 2028. Bazin is a prospect that stands around 6’1 and he moves really well for that size. He plays off of two feet and he has a fundamental shooting stroke every time he lets go of the ball. Bazin is going to be someone that can play a handful of positions growing up, depending on the size he grows into the next couple of years. He has Guard like abilities but has some fantastic size as he plays up a grade level to compete. There were a lot of solid players from this weekend, who have promising futures and Bazin is definitely in that conversation to say the least.
Highlights
Kinston Kneuppel
Kinston Kneuppel
Kinston Kneuppel is another interesting prospect out of the 2028 Class that plays for a really competitive program out of Wisconsin. Kneuppel has that mixture that every coach loves. He has size, athleticism, coordination, and balance for his age group. When he is out on the floor, he looks to be one the most promising prospects on the hardwood, no matter who he is matching up against. In his teams contest these past few days, Kinston showed his worth at every opportunity. He made big plays, rebounded at a high rate, scored from multiple levels every single game, and he was a vital piece to his team’s success. This Ray Allen 2028 Group is special. They play through one another and they never let up. Across the board they are more physical than most and they understand that to a T. If they play to their full ability this summer, they are going to shine every single weekend they compete. There is no other way to put it.
Cole Jansons Cole Jansons 6’7″ | C IL is a man amongst boys out there at this point in the game. Jansons stands at 6’6 and he uses every inch to his advantage. He may have size but he also is very agile in his movements coming down the floor. He has shown the ability to be able to post up or he can bring his defender out to the perimeter and work off of some solid screening action. His team actually understands this and runs an offense in which they do multiple dribble handoffs, into a screen at the top of the key by Jansons, leading into a roll at the hoop where he usually catches a lob for a simple finish at the rim. If we are talking about someone with size, skill, and a smart head on his shoulders, Jansons is that player and he is only going to get better over time if he works on the correct things moving forward.