WI Sophomore ID Camp: The Frontcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six of the top forwards/post players I saw on Saturday in Appleton at the Prep Hoops Sophomore ID Camp!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140949"],"_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-66df5fc6aa1af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kager has one of the highest ceilings in the 2027 class, and it's easy to see why. Now listed at 6'8, he's capable of playing as a stretch-four, or operating as a wing. He spent time defending in the paint, and I liked how he competed against physically stronger players. Did a nice job of walling up and using his long frame to protect the basket. Offensively he showed a nice handle at his size, a buttery smooth stroke from three, and was moving well off the ball to open up some easy looks at the rim. Could be in for a breakout sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2352817"],"_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-66df5fc6aa206"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alex is another player who's a bit of a tweener between wing and post, and we could see him trend either way pending any future growth. That being said, he has a very high ceiling as a prospect. He has a very long frame at 6'6+, with a bit more muscle than most players with that type of length. Alex still looks to be growing into his frame, but can handle it out on the perimeter, knock down pull-up jumpers, and excels at getting to the rim and drawing contact. Showed off some explosive finishing ability at the rim as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382317"],"_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-66df5fc6aa247"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">James started off a bit cold in the 3v3 session, missing some shots he typically finishes around the rim, but got going as the day went on. He excels at using his body to establish deep post position, and provides a big target for his guards to feed inside. He keeps the game simple on the block, utilizing baby hooks to finish over defenders. Perhaps his best attribute at this stage is his vision, as he sees the floor so well and is good at finding his teammates cutting to the basket as defenders look to double him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140952"],"_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-66df5fc6aa285"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lazar has some nice tools to work with moving forward. He has a level of handle and perimeter skill you don't often see in 6'7 guys, but he's also not afraid to mix it up in the paint. Because he's a threat to shoot from three, he did a nice job of using a shot fake and then attacking a bad closeout to get into the paint. I'm interested in seeing how he performs at his new school this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140915"],"_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-66df5fc6aa2c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eric is a new name who played themselves onto my radar on Saturday. Defensively he moves his feet well when switched out onto the perimeter, and was a shot blocking threat around the rim. He has a long frame, is quick off the floor, and showed good timing when going up to contest in the paint. Offensively he was running the floor hard for transition buckets and showed some above the rim finishing ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140876"],"_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-66df5fc6aa2fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Austin has some nice physical tools to work with moving forward. He's a power-forward in the truest sense, standing at 6'6 with a strong and explosive frame. He can bully opposing forwards around the basket, runs the floor hard, and is quick off the floor at his size. That explosive athleticism showed on one occassion as he slashed to the rim, caught a pass, and then elevated for a powerful dunk over a defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->