Hidden Gems: 5 under the radar forwards to watch

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dontae Verderber 6'7 Timber Creek</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 prospect is an explosive forward who he can attack guys his size on an island and be a fit in the ushering in the pick and roll. He's best served as a rim runner and play finisher. Verderber has touch on shots out to 15 feet. He's a good vertical athlete with a 7'1 wingspan who can rebound in traffic and affect shots at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2522557"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e22f924fd7f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The rising junior has the tools to mismatch at both forward positions. He's a real athlete in transition, capable of making offensive and defensive highlights at the rim. He's a long, slim forward who's flashed handles and passing in transition. He can stretch the floor in the half-court and put the ball on the foot for straight-line drives. He may be lean, but looks to create contact on drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arcadian Davis 6'6 Seffner Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis emerged as a double-double threat for an underperforming Lenard team during his sophomore year. Davis is more wing than forward and has the slashing skills to prove it. His swing opens up lanes for his quick first step, where it's a matter of rim protection whether he finishes with a dunk or contact layup. He's active in the passing lanes and has the physical tools to be a solid defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Benton Welker 6'8 Winter Park</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welker is mashed, and his presence is known on both ends with active hands and a steady motor. He's a good rim runner with the open-court handle to push the break and get others involved with sharp outlet passing. Welker is a solid rebounder on both sides. He carves space out with wide shoulders and finished above the rim with authority when he had a head of steam. Adept at attacking closeouts and finishing over or before help defenders recover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2524616' first='Isaiah' last='Brown'] 6'9 Stranahan</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a long, wiry 6'9 forward with a high defensive ceiling. His physical tools and athleticism make him switchable through both forward positions. He hustles for rebounds and makes plays on defense. He changes shots in the paint, has active hands in passing lanes, and runs the lanes in transition. Brown competes on both ends but still needs to sharpen his offensive skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->